The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-09-09
From the Atlantic Monthly.
The KinlOch Estate, and how it
was Settled.
CHAPTER XIII.


happened, she could not meet Hugh and his
mother with any composure. The scheming
yoman had risked everything in the appeal she
made to her daughter,-risked everything, and
lost. Nothing could restore harmony, nelth-
er could forget the struggle and live the old
quiet life. Mrs. Kinloch, always pursued by
anxiety, was one day full Of courage, fruitful
ie plans and resources. and the next day cast
down into the pit Of despair. Now she clung
to her first hope, believing that time, patience,
kindness, would soften Midred's resolution /;
then seeing the blank Indifference with which
she treated Hugh, she racked her invention
TO provide other means of attaining he- end.
Again, the thought of her insxplicable loss
came over her, and she was frightened to mad
ness; creeping chills alternating with cold
sweats tortured her. 1t was a mystery she
could moi penetrate. She could not but inn
plicate Lucy but then Lucy might be in her
grave. After every circumstance had passed
In review, her suspicious inevitably returned
and fastened upon her lawyer, Clamp. She
almost wished he would come to see her again;
for be, being naturally sulky at his first re-
ception, had left the naughty woman severely
alone. She determined to send for him, on
business, and then to try her facinations upon
him, to draw him out, and see If he held her
secret.
"Ahap' thought the Squire, as he received
the message, .'she comes TO her senses p'-
Give woman like Mrs. Klnloch time to con-
slider, and she will not turn her back on her
true interest. o Theophilus, you are not by
any means fool! Slow and steady, slow
and steady you gol Let the frisky woman
kppear to hare her way,-you will win in the
endY'
The wig and best suit were brushed anew,
water was brought into requisition for the
visible po -tions Of his person, and, with his
most engaging expression arranged upon his
parchment face, he presented himself before
the widow.
There was skirmish of small talk, during
which Mr.. Clamp was placid and self-consei-
ous, while his vis-a-uis, though smiling and
apparently At ease, was yet alert and exc tied,
--darting fugitive glances, that would have
startled him like flashes Of sunlight reflected
FROM . mirror, il he had not been shielded by
his own sslf-complacency.
"You-havs-seni-for-m business-I-be-
lieve," said tho lawyer, in tone continuous
and bland as stream Of honey.
''Yes, Sir; have great confidence in your
Judgment, and know that You are devoted to
the interests Of our family. Mypoor husband
always esteemed you highly.,,
ooh. Ma'aml you do me honor %
"R have not consulted you about our af-
fairs Of late, 1t Il because have had troubles
yhich did not wish to burden you with"
eve oil have our troubles, Mrs. Kinloch.-
They are very hard to bear,--but profitable,
ssvertheless. But Pm sure you must be won
dsrfully supported in your trials / never saw
you looking better"
And truly, her thin and mobile lips were Of
= strangely bright coral, and her unusually
wan cheeks wore delicate flush, lending her
Beauty, not youthful, to BE- sure, but yet
facinsting. One might desire to see an eye
less intense and restless, but he would rarely
see woman Of forty 80 charming.
"" uVSsSU ny COSOtS ooiu AtuiOSu,
mournfully, and with faint smile otis only
the effect Of headache. I am far enough
From WE'LL"
"Indeed =" was the sympathetic reply.
81 have met with great loss, Mr.. Clamp,
-some papers Of the greatest Importance
Twas going to consult you about them"
"In which got ahead Of you," thought
he.
"Now, ever since the disappearance on Luz
cy, I have thought she had something to do
with item. Inever went to the secretary.
but she was sure to be spying about. And I
believe she knew about my affairs ~ well al
I do myself"
"0rI," mentally calculated the lawyer
meanwhile keeping ~ close % an oyster. ,
~ she continued, ,-"As the girl was ignorant
And without any interest 10 the matter more
than that oe curiosity, ! am puzzled to ac-
countfer al this.p
'"Tis strange, trulyi"
"Yes, Tn saFs shs must bs only the tool Of
soms shrswdsr person"
"You alsra ne! Who can Il bs s''
"pWhaps Mildred, ~ ssus ess Who d plot