Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-03-11


store for him II is made take for 90, i
H.
| He eaught her up in bis arms and gave
her kiss, while she laughed and shouted
but his eyes were seeking the stranger.
Hetty said prettily Ny brother Ben.
Then to him This lady got caught 10 the
shower, Ben, and is staying until it clears
or. She has been so kind as to help to
get dinner, and has made some splendid bis
cult.
They both stood mute a moment, she
with surprise at the real Ben, young hand
some, and well Bred he with admiration,
add a strange new feeling be could not de-
fine. He had hardly made her welcome,
with return of his self possession, when
there was a loud rap at the street door.
Hetty went to the door, came back pale,
and whispered to Ben Squire johns"
Mile drew quickly back from the talf.
closing door. Ben went in to his visitor.
closing the door after him, but every word
was distinctly heard by Mile, for Squire
Johns did not speak in the low, suave tone
she was accustomed to hear him, but loud
and peremptorv.
Il am 10 haste, young man / just stop
ped to say that the time for the payment of
the money due me, being day after to-mor-
row, if tits not ready / shall be obliged i'm
mediately to resort to severe measures.
Impossible p exclaimed the young man
in surprised and excited tone, you are
very much mistaken 1t is not due till the
18th, aud it Is now but the 18th. At thai
time, if sell the piece of land partly ex-
pect to do, hope, with some other money
coming in, to be able to pay it -
You are laboriDg under a singular mis-
take young man Here is the mortgage
and you can see for yourself that is the eigh-
teenth"
Let me see it.
| The figures danced upon the page. He
passed his hands over bis eyes and calmed
himself with great effort He grew ashy
pale as be read.
1t reads 50, certainly, but can under
stand, it. " He went to the desk. Here
IS note my father made Of the circum-
stances, and it is the 2Sth, and he was
very sure, methodieal man, and would not
he likely to make mistake that might BE-
fraught with very important and evil conse
| quences to him. Il believe" sudden
suspicion coming into his mind, as he de
tected a lurking triumph in Squire Johns
eye, Il believe there's some villiany about
his matter, and that you are at the bottom
Of it, be exclaimed excitedly, fixing his eye
firmly Hpon the lawyer, who changed color
in spite of himself
Be careful what you say, young man, or
you may get yourself into trouble, he said
augriIy.
Yes, sir, believe that you are base
william | remember that you are the lawyer
who made out the mortgage at the time, and
know that you have been aching for years
to get hold Of this property. Ifthere is jus
uce in law you shall be exposed
In the meantime you had better have
the money ready, coolly and insultingly re-
| piled Squire johns.
That is impossible as you know. You
know very well l could not raise so much
money in two days, when You made your
diabolical plans
Then you know the consequence
And what is to become Of my young sis
ters?"
Il neither know nor care. That is your
lookout. ?"
The young man strove to repress his pas
sion yet
Squire Johus, by the 2Sth can pay
this debt, l expect
That will do you no good. 1t must be
ready by the 18th, or take possession. !
might have shown you mercy but for your
insinustions Now, none
That is false! liar william! and you
know il. You never showed mercy in yonr
life. You have won your iT-gotten wealth
by robbing the widow and the fatherless.
| If you take this property may it bring you
a curse with it, now and eyermore But
while it is in my hands I'll kick you from
it, you dastardly scoundrel r.
The Squire was small man as well as 8
coward, and while be was being ignominous
Is elected from the house by the angry and
excited young man, Hetty was crouched
down close to Mile, pale and frightened.
Eva was subbing in her lap, and Milie-iI
would be difficult 10 describe her feeling.
| Ben did not come iuto the room for some
time afterward. When he did, be looked
haggard and aged, and was passing through
hastily, as if to escape notice, when Mile
business like and straightforward little gin
that she was, began
"Mr. Hazwell, | want to talk to you &
few minutes. There would be no use il
pretending that I haven't heard what you
and Squire Johns have been saying, for
heard every word | think know Of SONS
one who can help you; but first may asl
you few questions?'
Ben, at first, looked displeased and haugh
ty but her kind, straightforward manner
dissrmed him. He bowed assent.
"What is the amount of this mortgage?
Two thousand dollars and interest, wa
the brief reply
What is the total value of the farm ?"
MY father valued it at ten thousand dol
lars"
Are there other mortgages ?"
None"
"Very well, / am quite positive | know
some one who can loan you the money.
am Mile Warner. Cali on me tomorrow
, at my cousins, Mrs Sanford's.
4 Beu's dreams were strangely mixed ul
that night with mortgages and hazel eyes
The next day was long time of suspens
aud anxiety, and early in the evening ioun'
:, him at the Sanfords, where he was receives
by Mile herself