The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-06-08
(Continued.)

SCOntlnueQ.)
mo, no; you are quite mistaken, doc
tor" exclaimed the man, all his wild
aess of aspect returning and his eyes
cleaning with mad terror and sus-
Dleion. There's nothing in it-noth-
ing at all, except what little money l
my travels. Let me have it at once,
please-at once. without a single mo-
ment's delay!'
Don't be in hurry" said Richard.
TT is quite safe, 1 assure you. II it
: b Of so little value as you say, why ex-
$ etc yourself about It? How much
might there be in it, then? 1t seemed
TO me pretty heavy"
"Oh, very little; but as it is all I
have in the world, you needn't wonder
that am anxious about it. must ask
you to give 1t to me at once; it will
make my mind easier"
"Don't be uneasy; give you my
word it's quite safe. Look here, I'm
rather fancier of curios myself; I
don't mind giving you ten pounds on
- spec for the belt just as it stands. If
: you tell me it is worth more, I will give
~ to you"
81 wouldn't take ten pounds; not that
It Is really worth more, but there are
things in it that have special value
for me. I shouldn't think of selling it
on any terms, and I must again ask you
to let me have it in my own posses
!. sion"
Il will give you hundred" said
y Richard mischievously, "and l will let
. you retain anything in it that you wish
" specially to keep"
II tell you am not going to sell it On
any terms whatever" rejoined the
other testify, $50 we had better drop the
subject. And beg you will give it to
mo now without any further delay"
"Yet I should think hundred
pounds would be something of con-
sideration to a man who has parted
with the very last rag and stick he can
spare" said Richard. Come, my
friend, you may not meet such a
- chance again; what do you say to five
I" hundred pounds?"
CDR. Falconer." replied the man ex-
eftediy, either this is very bad joke
or you must have lost your senses. For
the last time ask you to restore my
Droperty. If 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 me and let me go"
every WE'LL" said Richatd, you shall
have it at once" He left the room and
returned in minute with the belt and
pistol in his hands. He found his pa
tent already half dressed. With fren-
xfed haste he made grasp for the belt.
but Richard caught him by the wrist
and held him as if in vice, while he
said sternly-
s'Listen to me, mailman! You act as
e you think want to rob you. Why,
you IDIOT, if that had been my design
need not have so much as lifted a
finger; had nothing to do but to sit
still, and you would have been dead by
: this time, and nobody to ask single
question about you. Instead of that.
have brought you to my house, 1 have
restored you to life and you repay me
With insult and abuse. Even yet, if
wanted to possess myself of this pre-
- efous belt, l should only have to go to
the nearest magistrate and certify You
insane, to have you shut up in a 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 II / were the villain you think me-
Take your belt and be ashamed of
: yourself, you ungrateful wretch!" and
y he dung it with crash upon the floor.
One Of the pouches burst open and
: the guineas rolled out in a 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
6ace in dead faint.
Richard knelt down, turned him upon
his back, and sprinkled a few drops
from the Watering upon his face. AS
ho did 60 he was startled to hear a
Knock at the door OF the room. Going
hastily to open 1t, he found Mary, in
q dressing-gown, paper in her hand,
her eyes wide open with anxious sus-
,Dsnse.
"Oh, Richard! I haven't been able to
sleep Ill night" she cried, land Just
now heard loud voices and a scream.
What has happened? Is anything
-wrong?"
Don't be frightened, darling" said
Richard. "You have come just in time
d help me in restoring this man. who
has tainted. Is there any brandy in the
ssllarette?"
eyes, Just little. Shall I go and
Istch it?''
please do So" She turned to go
downstairs, and Richard closed the
Aoor and made haste to pick up the
coins which were scattered over the
floor. BEST she should not see them, .
hs said to himself as he returned them
ITO the pouch and fastened the belt Sc.
earely round the patients waist
Come IN, Mary" in answer to anothe,
knock. All! you have the brandy
1topi not that way" as she was put
fdng, . nina-glass to his lips; he won't
80 a6lG ia swallow. Just hand me my