White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-02-10
CHAPTER X.

verify S0od dSye Work, thought
Squire Clamp. as he stretched his legs in
his Office that Monday evening. Mrs.
Kinloch is a very shrewd woman, an ex-
traordinarily capable woman. What 9
wife for lawyer she'd make $50 long
as she plotted for. and not against him.
But Theophilus Clamp was not born to
be over-reached by one of the weaker sex.
| was sure my late lamented friend could
not have left his affairs in such utter disor-
der-no schedule Of property-no state
ment of debts (; too good business man
for that, was Walter Kinloch. shall
now he able to know from these docu-
nents, what my late client was really
worth, and how large dover the discon-
ISOLATE widow has reserved for herself
Doubtless she has put 10y enough to su.-
flee for her old age-and mine, too, am
inclined to think for | don't believe
can do better than marry her when the
mourning is ended. My late spouse, to
be sure, would make quiet man rather
apprehenSive about a second venture; but
if Mrs. Kihloch IS a Tartar, she is net a
vulgar shrew. but will be iady-like, even
if she is bitter. l think shall take her.
OF course she'll consent. | should like
to see the unmarried woman in InnisfeId
that would dare refuse TheophiluS Clamp.
When she knows-that l kuow-what
she knows. she'll do pretty much what
tell her. / wonder if she hasn't set on
foot a marriage between her scapegrace
son anil Mildred That would be a
misha2, truly But, as guardian, / can
stave that off until the estate is settled,
my wedding over. and myself comfortably
in possession. Then. perhaps, we'll let
the Young folks marry-at least we'll
think of it. II my son George. now, had
not that unlucky hair-Iip, who knows :?
HIM. well, to business again. Let's see.
It's Just as that remarkably keen woman
suspected. Hardwick's shop does stand
partly On The land Of the estate that Joins
it; the line will run right through his
forge. and leave the trip-hammer and
water-wheel in our possession; for !
paced the distance this morning. To
morrow Gnnter will make sure of it by
survey; though 1 think we'd better do
1t while the old man is gone to dinner.
He's sometimes apt to use emphatic Ian
gulge. Perhaps, now his NANCY cur,
Caesar, will seize me by the coat again
Perhaps Mark will insult me, and the old
man laugh at it in his sleeve shouldn't
wonder if they mal sed to pay the notes.
but on the title to the shop we have them
fast"
The lawyer looked at his watch
"Dear me it's tea-time. / must go, for
the church, committee meet this evening
| think, however, / won't complain of
Hardwick to the deacons this time; for
he'll be sure to get into a passion when
we commence our suit for ejectment, and
| shall then have a better case against
him. A more disagreeable Christian to
fellowship with don't know anywhere.
al should like to know" he continued,
as he locked the office-door. "if that Lu-
cy told me trCe-if those were all the
papers. No will. no memorandum for
one! Well, perhaps Mrs Kinloch was
careful enough to give that secret to the
keeping of the flames. instead of her bu-
reau. l will make close cOp,es of what
I have got for Lucy to pnt hack. and keep
the originals myself They'll be safest
with me There's no telling what may
happen TO papers in a house where there
is prying servant girl"
Whether the insects were poisoned by
the air of the room. as Mark Davenport
suggested. cannot say. But when
Squire Clamp left the Office. it was as
still as a tomb. No cricket chirped under
the hearth, no fly buzzed on the window
pane. no spiders came forth from the d.
lapidated. dangling webs. Silence and
dust hal absolute dominion.
The next day Mark returned to New
York. He had no opportunity of bid
ding Mildred farewell. but he comforted
himself BY thinking he had provided the
means Of safely communicating with her
by letter. And as the stage passed by
the house, he caught a glimpse, first of
her huttering handkerchief. and then Of
her graceful fingers waiting to him kiss.
1t was enough it furnished him with
food for delightful reverie as he went on
his way. We shall leave him in his for
mer situation. from which. as a starting
point, he determines to win fortune or
fame, or both. He has your best wishes,
no doubt, though perhaps you think he
will not force his way into the close ranks
of the great procession of life so soon as
be expects.
That day, while Mr.. Hardwick was
taking his dinner. his second son. Milton.
who had been fishing at the dam, came
running into the house quite ont of breath.
"F-fatheri" he stsmmerel ont.
"Nun-now st-stop." sail the black
smith. "W what are you st-stuttering
for I? Wah-wait till you csn talk"
why. father. yer-yos stutter."
"Wer- well yer-yOU sha'n't"
The look that came with this seemed
to end the matter. A moments rest quiz
eted the nerves of the boy, and be went
on to say, that Squire Clamp aud man
with brass machine on his shoulder, and
chain, ever so long. were walking about
the shop on the bank Of the river. Lizzy
at once looked out Of the window and
saw the man peering into the shop door.
as If exploring the premises.
Impslled by some presentiment Of evil.
Dir, HaIdwick got up from the table. aud