The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-03-08
XIX.
The Appointed Time.

Pond street, Camden Town, late on the
previous evening, and filled with very
mixed emotions. Murder was in his
heart against the broker who had dared
to be smitten with the charms Of Mrs.
Rocks; fear was IN his heart, because
he was going to do a disgraceful thing,
and conscience stabbed at 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. Yet, 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 in the dark
street near the house. Gilbert Kicker
by is nothing TO me, nothing more than
O lodger; Mrs. Reeks is a great deal to
me-everything, in fact. Oh, yes, 1
know"-he spoke as though he were an
swering some uneasv y5lce within him
II know that Mr.. Rickcrby is in hid
ing and in trouble, n has got to fight
for the girl he loves! What's the use OF
reminding me about that, 1 should ike
to know! I'm in trouble; I've got a
girl lat least, not quite a girl; but that
doesn't matter) dependent OH me. And
think of e5oo!"
He walked up to the house and put
his KEY in the lock-; entered softly r.
closed the door behind him He turned
at once into the little sitting room and
stood in tine presence of Mrs. Reeks.
That lady started to her feet with a
faint scream, and came towards him.
Mr. Reeks. with much dignity. waved
her off.
stop" he exclaimed. "Tell me-tell
me the worst; l can bear it, whatever
1t is"
Mrs. ReelSs smiled-a little foolishly.
perhaps. "Well, George she began,
IT 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 tele-
gram-"
Woman, you are concealing some
thing from me; I know it!' cried Mr..
Reeks, advancing sternly toward her.
brokers may come and brokers may
60; 1 nm used to 'eEa. But there is
something more than mere brokers
here. What has this man-if n may
call a broker a 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 %errands; and she had thought
that the suggestion in regard to the
Brokers man might be ef1cacious IN
bringing him home. Perceiving that
che had Put matters n little too strong
ly, she thought it wise, under the cir
cumstances, to seek refuge in tears; ac-
eordingly, she N gracefully into a
chair and covered her face with her
handkerchief.
Pm sure I never thought you'd take
Il in this fashion. George" h sobbed.
sit wasn't the man who is now-now In
the kitchen; 1t was his MASTER"
"Never mind who it was-I want to
know what he said!" cried MI. Reeks,
furiously.
"He said-said that 1t was a pleasure
pleasure to leave a mar in the house
Of such a-such q fine woman sobbed
AIRS. Reeks.
Mr.. Reeks was silent for a moment or
two; then he asked, sternly, rs that
all?"
"Why, Of course it u.s." replied the
iady, dabbing her yes with her hand
kerchief. "You didn't suppose"
my love, I supposed nothing" re-
piled Mr.. Reeks, dropping into his GUS
tomary meekness. "But you were right
to send for me, our natural protector;
you had no right to be exposed to the
thoughtless and vulgar remarks Of
those who may-quite 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.
my dear, I am going to sell those pa
pers, the papers which belong to Gill
bert Rickerby. Oh, yes; I know It's
wrong, and mean and shameful. and all
that kind Of thing; but / won't sit still
in the house with a brokers' man when
there is E500 waiting for me IL I like to
claim It. I can't explain everything to
you, my love; suffice it that I am SELL
lne what doesn't belong to me"
"But. George. the man Is dead" urged
Mrs. Reeks.
1.-THE man is not dead; at least. I
don't think he Is. When this business
10 settled, and the money IS in my
hands. and I've had the satisfaction of
Kicking this wretched brokers' man out
Of the house. TIL tell you the whole
story, and what I've done, and all the
I horrors I'VE been mixed up in. That's
one reason why I want to get rid of the
perers--quite apart from anything ]
may get for them: I want to be rid OF
che business: I'm frightened Of II"
Five hundred pounds is "a lot OF
money, George" said Mrs. Reeks,
khoughtfufly. .
"a lot OF money! It's @ than
sver thought j should have at any time
MY dear, we've Ind such q very hard
time, all things considered; we have
fought so hard and done nothing. This
e q chance we ought not to throw away
It,i mean farewell to brokers and poy.
erty: perhaps. II I'm lucky, It Will NEAR
farewe.l to Little Pond street. Ill5takt
an ONCE; I'll extend my connection
one can do such q lot with $500. That'i
& mysltiicuity from the beginning
never. had anything to start upon"
MI. Reeks was growing excited, ane
Gas losing siE.it IS the real right ane