The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-11-30


"A guinea for prescribing more rest
and nourishment, plus bo:tle Of drug
gist's filth" he muttered. What on
earth possessed me to consult him?"
Reaching the pavement he began to
walk swiftly, but thro5bing behind
the old scar on his temple compelled
him to slacken his pace.
Il suppose it was that that made me
take fright" he said to himself. 81
never used to have headaches. If I'm
not better by tomorrow I'll take his
prescription TO the chemist, though l
believe it's all nonsense"
A hanson driver hailed him inviting
, ~, but he shook his head impatiently.
and quickened his steps in spite of the
dull throbing that caused him to half
close his eyes. 1t was chilly evening,
and as he turned from the quiet street
: into the busy thoroughfare sleet began
to fall, but instead Of taking bus he
set out to walk the two miles that lay
between him and his place of abode.
He arrived at his door wet and shiv-
ering.
His home was an old fashioned. neg
iected looking building in the neighbor-
+, hood Of Russell Square. and he was the
sole occupant. A charwoman came
for an hour every morning and made 4
pretence Of cleaning up generally, al
though her work consisted chiefly in
removing the ashes Of the parlor
CRATE Tin winter) and washing the
dishes which the master had soiled the
previous day. He placed both in the
hall. for she was not admitted to the
parlor. John Breen did his own cook
ing. such as it was. at the sitting room
FIRE and his bed consisted Of the sofa
and travelling rug in the same apart
: ment. The other rooms. eight in num-
Der, Of the house were unfurnished.
On entering the hall, which echoed
his steps, he locked and bolted the door
with exceeding care, and made his way
the parlor situated on the same
floor. 1t was necessary to unlock the
parlor door. and having done so he en-
tered and locked it again behind him.
The inside Of the door was covered
with sheet iron and fitted with heavy
bolts fitting into sockets at top and bot
tom.
The fire, under a layer OF dross.
giowed family. and was slow to ignite
the spill Of paper that he presented be-
tween the bars. When he did procure
light he applied it 30 a candle on the
mantelpiece. and ia its glimmer he be-
held his face iI(fhe dirty mirror.
"Yes," he muttered, ''if I'm not better
by tomorrow I'll go to the chemist. l
can't affori1 to be i'll. I'm glad didn't
80 to d tor close at hand. He might
have 70 ,d out who 1 was and insisted
on offending me. How my head does
sSher'
He sat down in the worn out easy
chair and inserted few slips Of wood
between the bars Of the crate. Small
flames pierced the blanket of dross,
aud presently he set little kettle on
the hottest part
"A cup of tea will pull me together"
He rose and crossed the room to
bookcase void of books From lower
shelf he took loaf of bread and cut
of cheese. also plate and knife. and
Carried them to the table close to the
Side of the easy chair.
Then suddenly he began to smile and
rub his hands softly. The window
shutters, iron bound like the door, were
closed and bolted. but he went over
and examined them and drew the
faded curtains together. After that
he peered into all the corners and un-
der the sofa. smiling and lingering
something in his hip pocket. John
Breen was not timid man; he was
merely careful.
When he was quite satisfied that
he was alone he went back to his easy
chair, and. stretching out his right
hand, opened the panellinS at, the side
of the fireplace, disclosing the door of
0 small but apparently deep and su-
premeiy strong safe. Inserting Il
couple OF keys, he manipulated them
until the locks yielded and the stout
door swung open. The safe was
packed with little bags of gold, par
GELS of notes and bundles of negotiable
securities. The latter papers repre-
sented John Breen's capital-his
fathers legacy to him-the notes and
gold the interest, less his trihlng ex-
penses. of nearly thirty years. The
investments were as safe as the na-
tion's credit. and the owner had never
= sought to alter them for others bring
ing larger return. The stream of
gold from them may not have satisfied
him with its bulk. but at least it was
steady, and he loved to mark on a
calendar the days ON which he would
present his coupons with the certainty
OF receiving the value printed thereon.
This very day he had collected the
interest represented by certain cou-
pohs, and now he brought from his
breast dark soft leather bag and
poured the tinkhng contents on the
table-one hundred and twenty-five
pounds.
He began to count the sovereigns.
hut somehow when he came to twenty
seven he could not proceed.
He fried again with the same result.
His head ached more than ever. but
he made another attempt-and failed.