The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-05-31

Continued

Continued
ttNo, no; you are quite mistaken, DOS
tor exclaimed the man, all his Wild
ness oil aspect returning and his eyes
cleaning with a mad terror and sus-
Sicion. There's nothing IN it-noth-
ing at all, except what little money !
have, and u few curios picked up IN
my travels. Let me have it at once
please at once, without a single mo-
ment's delayp'
Don't be In a hurry said RicpaTn-
<sIt is quite safe, / assure you. II It
be Of SO little value as you say, why ex-
cite yourself about 1t? How m'lcn
might there be in it. then? It seemed
60 me pretty heavy.
ttOh, very little; but as II is all !
n have in the world, you needn't wonder
that am anxious about it.. must ask
you to give It to me at once; it Will
4. make my mind easier. 4
Don't be uneasy; II give you my
word its quite safe. Look here, I'm
rather fancier Of curios myself; 4
don't mind giving you ten pounds on
spec for the belt Just as 1t stands. II
Tou tell me 1t is worth more, will give
1t to you, I"
Il wouldn' t take ten pounds: not that
1t is really worth more, but there are
things in it that have special value
for me. shouldn't think of selling II
on any terms, and I must again ask you
I TO let me have it in my own posses
sion. y &
s.I will give you q hundred, said
Richard Infschieyously and will let
you retain anything In it that you wish
specially to keep.
II tell you am not going to sell II on
any terms whatever rejoined the
other testify, 80 we had better drop the
subject. And beg you will give It toi
me now without any further delay
Yet r should think a hundred
pounds would be something OF con-.
sideration to a man who has parted
with the very last rag and stick ne can
spare said Richard. Come, my
friend, you may not meet such q
chance again; what do you say to five
hundred pounds? ??
DR. Falconer, 4 replied the man ex-
citediy, aeither this is a very bad joke
or you must have lost your senses. For.
the last time ask you tosrestore my
property. III you do not, will at once
walk out of your house and put the
% matter In the hands OF the police. Give
me what belongs to masarld let me go. Z
Very WELL said Richard, you shall
uiave 1t at once" He left the room and
returned In a minute with the belt and
pistol In his hands He found his pa
t fient already half dressed. With fren-
xied haste he made grasp for the belt,
but Richard caught him by the wrist
and held him as il in a vice, while he
said sternly
Listen to me, madmani You act as
ff you think want to rob you. Why,
you IDIOT, if that had been my design I
need not have so much ais lifted a
finger; had nothing to do but to sit
Etill and you would have been dead by
this time, and nobody to ask a single
question about you. Instead of that, I
4 have brought you to my house, | have
restored you to life and you repay me
with insult and abuse. Even yet, IL I
wanted to possess myself Of this pre-
.cious belt, should only have to 60 to
the nearest magistrate and certify you
Insane, to have you shut UP in lunatic
asylum for the rest Of your days.
Much attention there would be paid to
your rawlings about being robbed Of
\ gold and jewels! That is what could
do if were the villain you think me.
Take your belt and be ashamed or
yourself, you ungrateful wretch and
he flung 1t with crash upon the floor.
One Of the pouches burst open and
the guineas rolled out in golden
stream. With shrek the owner flung
himself upon his knees to clutch them.
when his neW-found strength failed
him all at once and he rolled upon his
face Ia dead faint.
Richard knelt down. turned him upon
mis- back, and sprinkled few drops
from the Watering upon his face. AS
he did so he was startled to hear a
knock at the door of the room. Going
hastily to open 1t, he found Mary, In
a dressing-gown, a paper in her hand,
her eyes wide open with anxious sus-
pense. IS E q "
stOh, Richard! haven't been able to
sleep all night. she cried. "and just
now heard loud voices and scream.
What has happened? Is anything
wreng?"
'sDon't be frightened, darling said
Richard You have come just in time
S to help me In restoring this man. who
has tainted. Is there any brandy in the
.ceIlarette?''
s'Yes, just a little. Shall l go and
fetch it?' I'll 81
Please do so, She turned to go
downstairs, and Richard closed the
door and made haste to pick up the
coins which were scattered over the
floor. "Best she should not see them, =
he said to himself as ne returned them
to the pouch and fastened the belt Sc :
curely round the patients waist
Come in, Mary, Z in answer to another
knock. All! you have the brandy
Stop not that way" as she was put
ting a Wine-glass to his lips, she won't