Page 1 Advertisements Column 1

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11387, 1 October 1891, Page 1

TRANSFERRED IDENTITY. I

-♦ — — ' • mere was an easy assurance in nis tone which surprised me. .Still. I thought, after, taking the trouble to save a man's life, it night look ungracious to refuse him a night's hospitality. " Well, I suppose we can manage to find' you a shake-down somewhere, if you're not over particular," I replied. "Thanks," he answered more humbly. " Pardon me, but you saved' my. life,-: you know.- Will you consider me too' curious W I ask what you are going to do with it ?" I looked at the man in doubt as to whether be was in earnest or not. But bis face was as serious as his words. ; "Don't tallcnonsense!" I retorted warmly. \ "My dear sir, I never felt less inclined to . do. so than now. Life is a gift. Well, ungrateful though you may think me, I grew tired of mine and threw it away. For some, reason, which as yet is not wholly obvious 'to me, it pleased you' to pick up that which I had discarded. And so I ask what are you going to do with it ?" f. .The position was becoming ludicrous. " dome," I said, laughing in a forced way, "a joke can be carried too far." i ' " I give you my word," he answered with perfect seriousness, "I had' and have no ' intention to treat the matter as a joke. Why Should I?" - . A cold perspiration broke out over. me. -Why should 1 he indeed ? Clearly he gained everything by a transference of his identity to me. But was I, because in a weak moment I had gone to his. assistance, to be • burdened through life with the care of a being like the one before me ? "You know," I remarked, "I needn't have pulled you out unless I had liked." -. "Exactly my argument," he returned, "a jrran doesn't risk his life to gain a thing unless he has some object in view regarding it;. . I presume you had in this case ?" : . " Great heavens," I cried, " have you no sense of humanity? Can't you imagine that I saved your life to give it back to you?" "But I didn't want it back," he replied coolly "It was to be rid of it that I walked over the end of the pier.!' I stared. in blank amazement. '-.What was I to answer? Logically, all heisaid was perfectly, just, but it was -monstrous that I should be forced.- into such a situation. Suddenly a brilliant' idea struck, me. i "Well," I said, "if your life belongs to me " <!■ "Asitdoes." he interpolated, p i" I can do with it what I please ?" . I His face fell. " Yes," he replied, " that's quite true." ! "So that if I wish -I can toss you into the ...water again and you will have no right to complain." ; " You have stated the case . with precision," he answered. I • The fellow's coolness staggered me, and I '• was silent. I felt that at all hazards I must .jrid myself of his, presence, were it but for t the night, in order to think the matter over quietly. Surely I should find some way out of the difficulty. I " You had better go to bed," I said shortly. | "As you please, sir," he answered ; "but •did I understand that you wished me to finish the bottle ?" j "Take it with you and be li.inged," I . cried. Then, violently ringing the, bell, I bade the servant show the gentleman to his room, and with an inexpressible serse of relief saw him depart, the bottle uudcr his wm: 1 Next ■ morning I rose late, feeling unrefreshed and irritable. Nor was my mental ;coadition rendered more equable on finding (To he continued J

A SPLENDID Selection of Dinner Services, all. New, Good, and , Cheap, at E. Moults, Direct Importers. THE Newest Vases for Table Decorations, in a, variety of Shades at E, MOtT LT'S. ANTED Known — That T. W. Boundy and Co. have now for sale Men's White Shirts, with collars at tached .at 4s lid ; good value at 6s 6d. A LL those about to Furnish will do J\. well to call and inspect E MOULTS Large and Varied Stock. THERE IS ONE THING every houßa wife shouldknow, and that is Hercules - Bakino Powbbb is the best. Why ?It is the cheapest because tha Best for making breads pastry, cakes, puddings scones, &c. Beautifully light and wholesome. In 6d and Is tins. From all grocers . THE GREAT HALF-TEARLT STOCK TAKING SALE AT R. HANNAH AND COB ., VICTORIA AVENUE. WONDERFUL BARGAINS. Affew Ladies' Felt Slippers, 1/11, 2/6 ; 100 Pairs Women's Kid Button Shoes, 6/11 100 Pairs Women's Kid Lace Shoes, 6/11 j 78 Pairs Ladiflb' Satin Shoes, 4/11 ; 160 Pairs Ladies' Evening Shoes, from 8/6; -48 Pairs Men's English' Balmorals, 7/6 ; 144 Pairs Women's Kid Elasticsides, '4/11 ;' 60 Pairs Hand-sewn Balmorals, 12/11 ; 30 Pairs Men's .Morocco Balmorals, 7/11 ; 48 Pairs Men's Elasticsides, 6/11 ; 144 Children's Strap Shoes, 1/-, 2/6, and 2/11. The above are only a few of the Bargains tc be obtained at the GREAT STOCK-TAKING SALE AT R. HANNAH AND GO'S., AVENUE, . WANGANUI. M* G. P iEKEE - DENTIST. Has removed to Guyton-screet, near the Salvation Army Parrackb.