The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-01-26

Hopes death. Mary, too, had much to
tell, and, nesting by Geoffrey's side, her
little white fingers hidden in the rugged
brown hands of her lover, which held
them as though they would never again
let them go, she told him all she had
gone through-the loss of her father,
the history of the will, and, lastly, the
loss of her little fortune.
81 don't understand it," said Geof-
frey. "The man has been playing
some deep game"
perhaps he really wished to get me
more-what do you call it 2-interest for
my money. / dare say it was meant
kindly enough, though it has happened
so unfortunately"
"I don't believe it, darling. If he
had really had your interest at heart, he
would have regarded safety before all
things. 1 strongly suspect that if all
things had gone well you would simply
have received your per cent, and Mr..
Slythorpe would have pocketed the diff
ference"
80 Geoffrey, Geoffrey I'm afraid
you have come home very uncharitable.
Besides, what does it matter about lot
of stupid money, now 1 have got you
back again 2-unless, indeed, you would
have liked me better for having the
money"
There was only one possible answer to
such an accusation, and Maj. Howard
made it-that is to say, he called Mary a
little goose, kissed her, and dropped the
subject, having taken care, however, to
ascertain the address of Mr.. Slythorpe
and the name of the company in which
Mary's money had been lost. On leav-
ing her, he took hanson cab and drove
to the Office of the iquidator of the
company, when, On his stating that he
desired to make some inquiries on behalf
of one of their shareholders, Mr.. Sly
thorpe, he was informed to his astonish-
ment that there was not and never had
been any shareholder of that name on
the books of the company. He next in
quired whether, perchance, the shares
were standing in Miss Hopes own name,
and again was answered in the negative.
Utterly bewildered, he drove to MIR.
Slythorpe's Office. Mr.. Slythorpe was
at home, and he speedily found himself
In the attorneys presence. Mr.. Sly
thorpe was a little nervous. He was
always q little nervous with strangers till
he knew their business and Maj. How
ards announcement that he had called
on behalf of Miss Mary Hope did not
tend to increase his confidence. he
was, however, far from suspectipg Maj.
Howard's identity, but jumped to the
conclusion that he was q hostile solicitor
employed by Miss Hope to call him to
account. Maj. Howard's next remark
tended to confirm that impression.
"You stated to Miss Hope, think,
a couple Of days ago, that the property
bequeathed to her by her fathers will
had been invested in the Wheal Marina
Company, which has just come to grief
You are of course aware that an invest
ment upon such a rotten security was 3
gross breach of trust, for which you
are liable"
mot at ali (; the power OF investment
is unlimited. Indeed, shares of COM
panies are specially included"
"You are certain of that 2"
"Quite so. / drew the will my
SELF"
"Very good. The shares stood, ]
suppose, In your own name."
4 iC-Co Al lhJ titLhC, VI COtltSo, IA,
sole trustee"
"Then pray how is it, Mr.. Slythorpe,
that don't find your name among the
list CT shareholders of the company"
Mr.. Slythorpe's countenance fell.
Because-because-I may as well
make clean breast of ito tell you the
truth, the money never was in that com.
pany at all. 1t was false alarm, sir, q
false alarm"
"Then, where on earth is the money,
sirl And what do you mean by false
alarm"
"I1l tell you, if you'n have a little
patience. AS a brother solicitor, Tn
sure you won't press harder on me thar
you're quite obliged. Miss Hopes
money is in tho Wheal Mary Ann, one
of the most fourishing companies go
ing, and her shares are worth Jus,
double what gave for them"
"Then what on earth inducad YOU
"I'n tell you. Between ourselves,
I've taken an uncommon fancy to Miss
Hope, and had made up my mind tc
make her Mrs. S.; but somehow she
didn't take to me quite as kindly as
could have wished. Now the other
4 LhOTuluB Wueu Il VoCh up bue IMLSS,
almost the first thing caught sight OF
ves the smash of the Wheal Marina, and
the similarity of name gave me quite a
txru, for just at the first moment ]
thought it was the Wheal Mary Ann.
And then the thought struck me, IF il
only had been, my Lady, you'd have
been glad enough to say eyes to Sam
uel Slythorpe.' And then 1 thought I'd
try il. 1t was merely little innocent
practical joke-a roose d'dnlour, sir; q
mere roose d'dmottr." And Mr.. Sly
thorpe smiled.
You atrocious scoundrel I"
There was sudden blow, heavy
crash, and Mr.. Samuel Slythorpe meas
ured his length on the floor. The clerk
outside, hearing the downfall, popped
his head into the room, but, seeing the
state of things, discreetly retired again.
remarking
beg pardon; thought You rang,
sir.
Meanwhile, Maj. Howard, having
knocked Slythorpe down, proceeded TO
knock him mp again; and, with his own
dandy cane, which stood by the side of
the fireplace, gave him one of the most