Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-02-26

The fellow seemed TO De very
long time on his errand, SO that the
visitor had ample time to examine
the various beautiful objects in the
room. AS he stood up to have bet
ter view of the general effect, he
noticed on the floor by the table
near which he was seated scrap of
an envelope that attracted his after
ton. He uttered an exclamation of
sudden surprise as he reached out his
hand for it. Just then there was
the sound of step in the hall, and
he thrust the bit of paper in his
pocket.
On the threshold stood stout
man in a greenish livery with a red
vest. The latter garment was quite
in agreement with the color scheme
of his round face.
This person was evidently the but
Ter of the establishment, or an up
per servant.
"You wished to see Mr.. Ellison?"
EXACTLY"
"Gone away, bag and baggage, this
morning"
Hendricks looked to see if the man
were telling the truth, and then, hav-
ing satisfied himself that such was
the case, said:
''Then you can give me his address,
I presume"
"Don't know it; he left none"
''To be gone long time?''
Don't know sir, and, if that is
all"
'Is he trying to slip out of my
hands," was the thought that had
entered Jobs mind, but, seeing that
the fat gentleman was standing
waiting to see him out, he said:
Sorry not to find him, but, dare
say, I shall run across him in the
city"
The butler was silent, though his
lips were moving as if there was
something on his mind that he want
ed to say, and yet hesitated about
uttering. Such seedy visitor de-
served contemptuous treatment, and
yet his audacity might be owing to
ness to discuss with the master OF
the house. So Job was ushered 81
lently out, and the butler gave vent
to his outraged feelings by slamming
the door violently behind him.
Job Hendricks pursued his way
peacefully to the gate, and so into
the highroad, wondering what this
sudden move on the part of Ellison
might portend.
HE is too sensible man to think
that he can get rid of me SO easily
by running away" he said to himself.
81 wonder if the appearance of the
strange fellow in the garden during
my last visit has anything to do with
his running off?"
Then he remembered the bit of
torn envelope he had picked up In
the drawing-room, and he at once
drew it out.
The envelope bore the simple in
scription:
James Ellison, Esq,
The Grange,
Exton, New York.
It was peculiar handwriting, with
certain features that made it dis
tinctly original. Job Hendricks
seemed to be intensely interested,
and sat down on a bank at the edge
of the road to study the paper.
Then, out of an inner pocket of his
coat, he took out another piece of
paper, and, placing it alongside of
the other, examined them for some
minutes with deep attention.
"The same writing exactly-a lit
tie changed by time, but the same
man wrote them both" He thrust
the papers back in his pocket and
brought the palm Of his hand down
on his knee with resounding slap,
as if to express the exultation he
felt over the discovery he had made.
"Well, I shall fad my old enemy
where I little thought to look for
him. By watching Ellison shall lay
hold of him, and, when do, perhaps
the chance will come to settle our
account, which has been running so
many years. But, first, / must spin
the web that will hold him fast"
Then, humming song as if he had
reason to feel glad of his visit, he
strobe on toward the town.