TRANSFERRED IDENTITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11389, 3 October 1891, Page 1

TRANSFERRED IDENTITY

f- rue warning. cSme too late. My foot slipped, and I felt myself falling forwards. The thought flashed into my mind that I was going over the cliff. I struck outblindly and found myself grappling with something. It was a slight shrub which ' overhung the 'abyss, just of sufficient strength to sustaim my weight for a few " moments. But as the moon again shone out I could see that my support was rapidly yielding at the roots. " Give me your hand," I cried, "or lam a dead man!" With a presence of mind which did him credit he knfelf- down, and, burying his hands in the long grass, took a firm hold of it. • Then he cautiously advanced one foot within reach of my grasp. This I clutched and with an agony of thankfulness drew myself on to the level again." I The escape had cooled me and I held out . my hand. ! " I beg your pardon," I said, "if I have . spoken harshly to you at times. You have .rendered me a service for which I shall never- cease.to be grateful." ' "Yes,' 1 he answered, in his stolid manner, "you've reason to be so. I rather think I saved your life." ■ . -„ The.words were scarcely uttered before he saw—arid recognised too, that I saw—their . full importance. The faintest indication of a .smile played about his lips as I said— " So we are quits." : "Hardly," he replied, looking serious, again. "At the present moment each stands possessed of.theother's life." •• Let us exchange then;" This time he really; did. smile. ' • "Sly- modesty," 'he' remarked,." will scarcely allow me to rate an existence so • insignificant as my own on an equality with ydiirs." • ' • •'' '"•"'JWould five pounds turn the scale?" - '-'" You estimate your own worth'at far too 2 low a value," he replied. "■'- "Then we will.say ten. Is it a bargain ?" ' • Hebowedhis head in assent. I took out • my and extracted therefrom the required number of sovereigns. These he ■ tecelved without a word, and after transferring them to his pocket saluted me with "- much grace. " I resume my identity," he saidiff-'not without a "feeling of regret. I .'thank you for the care you have taken of it," . . isindlwith that he turned away. .11 Nor from that hour to this have I set ftyes upon him again.