Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-03-06
CHAPTER MN.
The Appointed Time.

heart against the broker who had dared
to be snitter With the charms of Mrs.
Rocks; fear was IN his heart, because
he was going 10 do disgraceful thing,
and conscience stabbed a him. He had
made a promise not to give up the pa
pers: in desperation at the difficult po-
sition in Which he found himself he had
firmly resolved to sell these papers at
the price offered. Vet. as he turned into
Little Pond street, his heart was heavy
within him, although he tried to cheer
himself With sophistries.
After all, What does it matter?" he
asked himself, as he stood ih the dark
street near the house. Colbert Kicker
by is nothing 10 me, nothing more than
q ledger: Mrs. Reeks is a great deal to
,1re--everythng, in fact. Oh, yes. I
know spoke as though he We're an
sWerins some uneasy .cice within him
II know that Mr.. Rickerby is in hid
/. fng and in trouble, and has got to fight
Tor the girl he loves. What's the use of
reminding me about that, I should like
to know! I'm in trouble: I've got a
girl TAT least, not quite girl: but that
doesn't nlatter) dependent on me. And
think of G500.''
He walked up to the house and put
his key in the lock: entered softly and
closed the door behind him. He turned
at once into the little sitting room and
stood in the presence of Mrs. Reeks.
What lady started to her feet With a
faint scream. and came towards him.
AIR. Reeks, with much dignity, waved
her off.
stop he exclaimed. Tell me-tell
me the worst; 1 can bear it, whatever
st is
Mrs. Reeks smiled-a little foolshly.
perhaps. We'll, George" she began.
ST didn't mean to upset you. I'm sure.
The brokers' man is herein the back
kitchen, at the present moment. asleep.
There isn't anything remarkable in
that, is there? Goodness knows we've
had the brokers in times enough,
haven't We? And as for the 1ele-
gram"
woman. You are concealing some
thing from me; 1 know it," cried MI.
Reeks, advancing sternly toward her.
>Brokers may come and brokers may
60; l an usel to EN-. But there is
something more than mere brokers
here. What has this man-if one may
call a broker man-what has he dared
to say?"
Mrs. Reeks looked at her husband a
moment and scented danger. Truth to
tell, she had merely desired to get him
home as rapidly as possible, being very
averse to his chasing about the country
with strange young ladies and on
strange erran6s; and she had thought
hhat the suggestion in regard to the
brokers man might be efficacious in
bringing him home. Perceiving that
she had put matters little too strong
1y, she thought it wise. under the cir
cu,nstances to seek refuge in tears: ac-
eordingly. she sank gracefully into
chair and covered her face with her
handkerchief.
I'm sure never thought you'd take
Il in this fashion. George" she sobbed.
sit wasn't the man who is now-now in
the kitchen; it was his MASTER
"Never mind who it was-I want to
Know what he said!" cried Mr.. Reeks,
@uriously.
"He said-said that it was a pleasure
~pleasure to leave a man in the house
OF such a-such a fine woman sobbed
AIRS. Reeks.
Mr.. Reeks was silent for a moment or
two; then he asked, sternly, rs that
sall?"
"Why, Of course it u.s." replied the
1ady, dabbing her eyes with her hand
kerchief you didn't suppose"
my love, 1 supposed nothing" re-
piled Mr.. Reeks, dropping into his GUS
tomary meekness. "But you were right
to send for me, your natural protector;
you mad no right to be exposed to the
thoughtless and vulgar remarks Of
chose who may--qu;te naturally. Mrs
'R.-admire YOU Now, let us talk of
another matter Don't interrupt me;
don't try to stop me, or persuade me to
abandon the idea"
"What idea, George?' asked Mrs.
Reeks staring at him.
t.My dear, I am going to sell those pa
pers, the papers which belong to Gil
bert Rickerby. Oh, yes; I know it's
wrong, and mean and shameful, and all
that kind Of thing; but I won't sit still
I'm the house with q brokers' man when
there is $500 waiting for ne if like to
claim it. / can't explain everything to
you my love; suffice it that am SELL
Sng what DOESN'T belong to me-
"But, George, the man is dead,' urged
Mrs. Reeks.
don't Think he is. When this business
IS settled, and the money is in my
hands and I've had the satisfaction Of
Kicking this wrctched brokers' man out
of the house, I'll tell you the whole
story. and what I've done, and all the
horrors I've heen mixed UP in. That's
one reason why want to get rid of the
papers quite apart from anything L
flnay get for them: ! want to be rid of
the business: I'm frightened of it,"
"Fiv" hundred POUNDS is a lot of
money. George" s,aid Mrs. Reeks,
Hhoughtfully.
"A lot Of money: It's more than I
ever thought should have at any time.
My dear, we've had such a very hard
time. all things considered: we have
fought so hard and done nothing. This
1sta chance we ought not to throw away.
I'm mean farewell to brokers and pow
.erty; perhaps. if I'm lucky, it will mean
farewell to Little Pond street. III take
an office; I'll extend my connection;
one can do such lot with $500. That's
been my difficulty from the beginning;