Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-09-22
DAILY SHORT STORIES

The mind works quickly In the pres
ence OF danger. real or fancied. and In
a fraction Of q second he had deter.
mined that a man was behind him
with his right hand raised and holding
n dagger.
Sonora cried the American sharp
ly, calling to the woman who had
served the wine.
The shadow flickered and disap-
peared
There was no reply to the summons,
and the young map called again:
''Senorav'
Presently the woman, yawning
came slowly into the room.
Il find myself. senora." said Wilcox.
with not even money enough about
me 10 pay you for the wine have or
dered. Have you any one here who
get IT cashed by the landlord and bring
me the money!
Yes, senior. but you can as well pay
for the wine when you come for
more"
mo. sonora; go away carly I'm the
morning to Naples. Besides. there are
other payments I wish to make down
here among you good people in
tended to bring money, but forgot IT,"
Very well, senior. IL you desire il
] will send my son. Ho is in bed. but
i can awaken him"
Wilcox took q blank check from his
portmanteau and filed check for
800 Ira $500 and wrote on the back
Of II request to the landlord OF his
hotel to send him the money 1t called
for by bearer. Then he gave 1t to
the landlady, and, ordering another
litre of wine and lighting n cigarette,
he made II appear that he would await
the return OF his messenger
But he had no idea of waiting for
the money. He knew the man who
was about to kill him when he awokc
from slumber would waylay the boy
who had gone for It. Possibly others
who knew OF the fact that 800 Ira
was to be carried at midnight from
the town down TO the fishers village
would also make an attempt to APP
propriate Ii. There was still another
possibility. The landlord might sur
mise that his guest had been cornered
and required the money for Il ransom.
In this event he might have the mes
senger Swallowed on his return by n
policeman.
wilcox realized the fact that he was
at the fishers village near IL % clock az
night where IL was as dangerous to
remain as to climb TO the top OF the
clin. He kept his eye on the wall for
the shadow, finally arose from his chair
and paced the floor. casting glances mt
the entrances OF the room Presently
he walked out the door through which
the landlady had gone and made his
| way into kitchen. There, among 9th
er things, lay carving knife with n
long, thin blade and IA sharp point. lie
grasped 1t and for the first time since
he had seen the shadow drew II breath
or relief. SO far as he knew, no one
saw him take the knife, and. conceal
ing IL under his coat, he went back
into the room he had left.
Wilcox was uncertain what 10 do.
Should he remain where he was till
day or should he risk going up to the
town with no other defense than q
carving knife? If beset, Il might be
by several persons. IL he remained
where he was. In case OF attack he
might put his back against corner
or the room and stand or number
or assailants. Every yest!ge OF reck
lessness had deserted him. lie was
mao lighting mad, but in that state
mans faculties are often the sharp
est. He resolved to stay where he
was.
sufficient time for messenger to go
To the hotel and return had elapsed.
wilcox had no idea that the messen-
ger would come back or, II he did
come, That he would have the money
with him. He was not thinking Of his
800 Ira, which he would he glad to
pay for his life He was wondering ~
the man whose shadow he had seen
or some one else had appropriated II.
This occupied his thoughts when sud
denly the outer door was opened and
in stepped two persons.
They were a boy Of fourteen and
Marie.
Marie, approaching Wilcox. handed
bin an envelope containing the money
he bad sent for. He looked Mt her.
plainly asking with his eyes an ex-
PLANTATION.
y knew, sIgnOr." said Marie. that
there II one who since you first spoke
to me Is Jealous OF you ! found to-
night that he would attacl, you and
watched the place. ] saw him come
I'm here and followed him. heard you
call for messenger 20 go for money
did not believe Giovanni would rob.
but ] thought IT best to 20 with the
boy Giovanni disappointed me He
waylaid us and demanded the money.
but when be knew had il he upbraid-
ed me and went away"
80 you are disappointed in your
lover Marie-that no sbouId rOb buf