Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-03-28

ne ola shark he muttered, as ne
strolled leisurely along. What on earth
put it into his plotting old head to pitch
on me for his tool ? He never was more'n
half decent to me before. reckon I'll
earn my fee. but I'll be fair and square
with Bob Humphrey. What would irene
say if she knew what was up? Wouldn't
those black eyes of hers strike fire p
Now it happened that of late, I'M
known, perhaps, to the deacon, there
had been growing up more than little
closeness of intimacy between Joe Gaines
and Bob Humphreys; and that it was
treachery to his friend as well as unfair
ness to the pretty heiress, to which the
young lawyer had allowed himself to be
bribed by the deacon's promised fee.
A deep fellow was Joe Gaines, and a
marvellous manipulation of social affairs.
Again and again, as days and weeks
went by, did Deacon Pilsey congratulate
himself on his admirable. selection, and
chuckle in his inmost being as he wit
messed the well-contrived success of Joe's
maneuvers. There were picnics and
drives and parties and entertainments of
various kinds, but in vain did Bob Hum
phrey invite or propose; the young law
yer was sure to be beforehand with him,
and it almost seemed as if sweet unas-
suming, quiet little Maggie Pilsey her.
self, the deacon's daughter, had joined
the secret league against her friend Irene,
so often was the same excuse devised by
which she was made to appear in the lat
ter's stead.
Then, too, were the home evenings at
the dcacon's house, when the subtle-mind-
ed old plotter could have Rugged himself
with satisfaction as he sat by and witness
ed with his own eyes the admirable man
ner in which Joe Gaines worked for his
fee.
/" 1t takes lawyer, after all y said he
to himself. :" / don't care much what
he charges, | only hope he'll keep it up
that way till Scott gifts home again. And
then to see Bob Humphrey Why the
fcllow'sg got the perseverance of the saints,
but he amt nowhere with Joe Gaines"
As for Irene Wycr herself, her red
lips laughed and pouted, and her bright
black eyes sparkled and deepcned, and
her life seemed flowing onward very
pleasantly, as if no deep-laid plots and
schemings had any power over her or
her happiness. Moreover, through it
all, Joe Gaines seemed to maintain the
most complete external scmblance of
frank-hearted friendship with Bob Hum
phrey. Odd as it may seem, the young
lawyer also found that his practice had
undergone very sensible increase, caus-
ed mainly by the warm. though covert
encomiums which the good deacon's heart
compelled him to utter here and there,
in his keen appreciation of his young
friends tact and management
Time will fly, however, and the mails
brought at last to the Pilsey homestead
the welcome news that its absent hope
and heir would shortly return. There
were letters from Scott Pisley to his
mother, and his sister Maggie, and to
Irene Wyer, and even to his old cronies
and schoolmates, Joe Gaines and Bob
Humphrey and to each he had, doubtless,
some matter of special interest to commu-
nicate.
No noisy, smoky, disgusting railway
trains as yet vexcd the retirement and
repose of the village but at last, on a
morning when all things were in state
of almost painful expectancy of his ar
rival not the ordinary stage coach, but
a private hired carriage, heavy with
trunks and packages, brought Scott Pill
sey to the door of his fathers home
In an instant the little verandah was
full of those who awaited him, but when
the deacon's tall. sunburned and bushy-
headed son sprang out upon the grass,
he turned his back to the verandah for n
moment, while he aided the movements
of graceful, well-favored, dark featured
young lady, who followed him, and
whom, even in the first warmth of his
"welcome home," he introduced as "my
wife, my Lucia
Maggie Pilsey Rugged her and kissed
her, and 50 did Irene Wyer, and so, in
moment more, did old Mrs. Plsey. and
the deacon was too wise man to seem
altogether astonished, while Joe Gaines
and Bob Humphrey were fairly bolster
Gus. In fact, Scott Pilsey's California
bride was so overcome by the warmth of
her greeting that the poor thing forgot
her pride and burst into tears. In half
a minute after that there was not lady
visible, and then Bob and Joe knew
enough to leave the deacon and his son
to themselves. The young men walked
off arm in arm. but they were back again
before the day was over.
The deacon's face was triHe serious,
but not exactly cloudy. and before long
be managed to get Joe Gaines by him
self for bit of private conversation
''And 50, joe" said he, "you and the
rest knew all about this matter of SCOTS
some time ago?'
"Well, yes. Irene told me in conf
dence, and then, when they wrote and
told Scott how matters were here, he wrote
to congratulate us, and begged us not to
spoil his surprise to you. We couldn't
tell after all that, you know"
"Ahem well-no-no- can't say,
but p'raps not. can't be mad with
Scott; for she's brought him big rancho
and mine, but what am | to do with
you now? l like Bob Humphrey first
rate alters did like Bob-and now it
can't be, Scott, | don't see as | ort to in
terfere. You've armed my fee, and I'll
pay it; but then, you see, there amt no
more use"
Ooh, no. not bit, interrupted Joe.