The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-02-01

the time and place, near here. I know
that woman with whom we spoke a lit
tie time ago, will keep her word and
rescue my dear girl from this house.
Will you be there?"
Eyes, yes, I'll be there!" exclaimed
Mr.. Reeks, with q hard pressed against
his forehead. "Oh, o needn't think I
am going to fail you; only I've seen
such things tonight hat this poor head
of mine is in a whirl, and I don't know
where I am. or what I'm doing. When
I came out tonight Mrs. Fl. assured me
that I was Gilbert Rickerby; since
then, I've seen ghosts among the trees,
and dead men. and fools in sheets, and
old women carrying lanterns, and"
There, there, never mind all th"t,"
broke in Gilbert. 1.-The time will come
when all these things will be set right,
when you will forget all the tragedy of
that horrible place, and when l will not
forget how loyalty you have helped me.
GOod-night-until Tomorrow"
So Mr.. Reeks staggered out into the
alley, thence into the streets, and
made his way home as rapidly as pos
s;ble.
1t was only When he actually came in
sight Of the house that he realized how
late it was; remembered the scene at
the garden gate be: Neen Cornelius and
Mrs. Recks; and wondering how that
lady would greet him. There had been
SO much to think of before that this
last most important point had slipped
hi thoughts altogether; hut it pressed
itself upon him now with remarkable
urgency. He put his key in the lock
and onforoA oc onft1vy q q rnSo3h1n Rr-
fore he had fairly got inside the door
Of the sitting room was pulled open.
and Mrs. Reeks stood looking at him.
us that you, George Reeks?" she
asked It was, Of course, quite a SUI
perfluous question, seeing that MT.
Iseeks, though small, stood fully re-
vcaled: hut Mrs. Racks had to make a
beginning somehow and h was abso-
lutely boiling over with questions.
Yes, my love-" responded MI. Reeks,
meekly. 'I-I'=a afraid I'm q little
late"
Mrs. Reeks made no reply; she
turned quickly and marched back into
the sitting room. Mr.. Reeks took off
ills outer garments, and hung them up,
and then followed his wife. nervously.
Arrived in the sitting room, he sank
into his chair, rested his elbows on the
table, and YEARLY covered his face with
his hands.
Mrs. Reeks was growing impatient.
She tapped her foot hurriedly, for q few
moments, on the floor, and then spoke.
in clear tones which seemed to. stab the
unfortunate man like so many knives:
George Reeks-you went out to-
night for a certain purpose known and
approved by me-.
II know, my love-I know" muir
INJURED Reeks, without r%ncovering his
face. IT wish you would be kind enough
not to mention it."
But 1 insist on mentioning it, Mr..
Reeks," she retorted. Are you to come
the woebegone condition you are in
and tell me not to mention it? I will
mention it! What have you been do
ing all these hours?"
Mr.. Reeks s%huddered. ri would rath-
crunch rather-not say" he replied.
Its no use, my dear; I know quite
we'll that you are burning to know what
has happened. II I told you, you would
not believe me; you'd put cooling things
On my head, or dose me with something
for incipient insanity. Therefore. i
won't attempt 1t. I went out tonight
or last night don't know which it
was-with the full intention Of becom-
ing Gilbert Rickerby. I'm not Gilbert
Rickerby, and never shall be. I'm not
quite sure that 1 know vino I am: I
shouldn't be surprised IL you find that
you've married the wrong man, after
all. Don't ask me anything about it;
within a remarkably short space Of
time I shall either be hanged or make
my fortune. And I don't know which,"
With this extraordinary statement,
Mr.. Reeks took up the lamp and de-
clare6 his intention Of going to bed;
Mrs. Reeke, utterly at a loss. what to
do with him or to say to him., for per-
haps the first time in her life, followed
him with extraordinary docility.
There was no sleep for Mrs. Reeks
that night; she lay awake listening to
the disturbed mutterings of her hus-
band, end striving hard to connect
them into some definite shape, and so
piece together a story to satisfy her cue
riosity. But. although he talked Of dead
servants and live. masters, and bury
ings under bushes, he made such5a jum-
BILE of 1t all, and plunged about the bed
in so wild q fashion and with such hor-
rible gurglings and screenings that
Mrs. Reeks was more than glad when
daylight fully dawEed and she couldsget
and see about her usual household du-
ties. IS
.Mr. Reeks. hollow-eyed, trembling,
and shivering. came down ut about mid.
day; and pretended to eat some break
80 0nrRAN.AS ~ 49, N ~ ~HHue,9 tg ~ASan 49,