Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-12-02

had subsidized, a season of explanation
followed.
Geofrey Howard had been dangerously
wounded, and had been prisoner for the
greater part of year in an Indian dun
geon, where for many weeks his life had
hung on a thread by reason of an attack
of malignant fever. His worn and sal
low features, his skin bronzed to Oriental
swarthiness, and the scar of deep sabre
cut across his cheek, scarce hidden by a
rather ragged beard, bore eloquent wit
ness to the perils he had passed through,
He had landed in England but twelve
hours previously, and had lost not a mo-
ment in seeking the presence Of his dar
ling and her father, for he was, of course,
ignorant of Bernard Hopes death. Mary,
too, had much to tell, and nesting by
Geoffreys side, her little white fingers
hidden in the rugged brown hands of her
lover, which held them as though they
would never let them go-the loss of her
father, the history of the will, and lastly
the loss of her little fortune
Il don't understand it. said Geotfrey.
The man has been playing some very
deep game.
Perhaps he really wished to get me
morc-what do you call it;-interest for
my money. daresay it was meant kindly
enough, though it happened so unfortu-
nately."
81 don't believe it, darling. he had
really had your interest at heart,he would
have regarded safety before all things. |
strongly suspect that il all had gone well
you would simply have received your
three per cent, and Mr.. Slythrope would
have pocketed the difference -
30 Geotfrey, Geofrey I'm afraid you
have come home very uncharitable. Be
sides, what does it matter about a lot of
stupid money, now | have got you back
again 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. Slythrope
and the name Of the company in which
Mary money had been lost On leaving
her he took a handsome cab and drove to
the office of the liquidator of the com
pany, when, on his stating that he desired
to make some inquiries in behalf of one
of their shareholders, Mr.. Slythrope, he
was informed, to his astonishment, that
there was not, and never had been, any
shareholder of that name on the books OF
the company. He next inquired whether
the shares were standing in Miss Hope 5
own name, and again was answered in
the negative. Utterly bewildercd, he
drove to Mr.. Slythropc's Office. Mr. Sly
thrope was at home, and he speedily
found himself in the attorneys presence.
Mr. Slythrope was little nervous with
strangers till he knew their business; and
Maj. Howard's announcement that he
had called on behalf of Miss Mary Hope.
did not increase his confidence. He was,
however, far from suspecting Maj. How
ards identity, but jumped to the conclu-
sion that he was hostile solicitor, en-
ployed by Miss Hope to call him to ac-
count. Maj Howard's next remark
tended to confirm tina, impression.
"You stated TO Miss Hope, | thirk, a
couple of days ago, that the property be-
qucathed to her by her fathers will had
been invested in the Wheal Marina Com
pany, which has just come to grief. You
are of course aware that an investment
upon such a rotten security was gross
breach of trust, for which you are liable.
Not at all; the power Of investment
is unlimited. Indeed, shares Of compa-
nies are specially included -
"You are quite certain Of that,
Quite so. drew the will myself.
Very good The shares stood, sup
pose, in your own name.
"Ye-es; in my name, Of course, as
sole trustee"
Then pray how is it, Mr. Slythrope,
that don't find your name among the
list OF shareholders Of the company
Mr.. Slythrope's countenance fell.
"Because-because- may as well
make a clean breast of ito tell you
the truth, the money was never in the
company at all. 1t was a false alarm, sir
false alarm
Then where on earth is the money,
sir" And what do you mean by a false
alarm"
"Tll tell you if you'll have a little pa
tience As brother solicitor, I'm sure
you won't press harder on me than YOU re
obliged. Miss Hopes money is in the
Wheal Mary Ann, one Of the most flour
ishing companies going, and her shares
are worth just double what | gave for
them"
Then what on earth induced you--'
"I'll tell you. Between ourselves, I've
taken an uncommon fancy to Miss Hope,
and | made up my mind to make her
Mrs. s.; but somehow she didn't take to
me quite as kindly 40 could have wished.
Now, the other morning when | took up
the Times, almost the first thing caught
sight of was the smash of the Wheal Ma
rina, and the similarity of the name gave
me quite turn, for Just at that moment
l thought it was Wheal Mary Ann And
then the thought struck me, If it only
had been, my lady you'd have been glad
enough TO saw ives" to Samuel Slythrope.'