The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-05-02

of verdict an absolute certainty, what
would you say to me then ?"
The little mans face undergoes COM
plete change at these words, his eyes glis-
ten, and his stern and wrathful expression
relaxes.
eff you could only afford me some infor-
nation as to the whereabouts of the letter
| have lost | should look upon you as the
dearest friend" and then, as if remem-
bering who he is addressing, his face again
assumes its former angry look, as he burst
| forth afresh But this is all nonsense; [
know you well enough; it's mere excuse
to remain in this garden. But, Sir, under
stand once for all l won't have it. SO
clear out at once And, Mabel, you come
with me, am surprised and excessively
annoyed to find you talking to this-this
gentleman.
"Stay a moment, Mr.. Linton, if you
please, and let US come to an understand
ing. l give you my word of honor that
can be of material service to you in this
matter But shall require from you some
reward. Are you prepared to give it-yes
or no?"
The little man now begins to see from
Percys manner that it is not joke, and
that he is in sober earnest.
"Well, Sir, if you can prove your words
you will not find me ungrateful, l think
How much shall you require?'
''Not one farthing of money, only the
hand of your daughter"
This calm request once more upset the
equanimity of Mr. Linton, and he is just
about to break out again when Percy stops
him with, "Gently, Sir, gently, remember
we are talking business now. Do you
agree to my terms? Otherwise we need
not prolong this interview"
Mr. Linton seems unwilling to allow the
business to end thus, and yet is hardly pre-
pared to capitulate so Internationally.
"Well, Sir, you see in this matter [ am
not the chief person concerned; my daugh-
ter's happiness is involved"
''If that is your only objection I think
yoI may make your mind easy. What do
you say, Mabel? viii you allow your
hand to be the price of the information 1
possess"
Mabels answer is clearly in the afirma-
tive, for she rises at once and places both
her hands in Percy's without saying
word.
HNo, if my daughter is willing to make
sacrifice for her fathers sake | shall not
forbid her. | had other plans for her fu-
ture, but they seem likely to fall through,
so | have nothing further to say except
that the sooner you enlighten me on this
mysterious matter the better | shall be
pleased"
"Quite SO, my dear Sir; will keep you
no longer in suspense" and Percy draws a
letter from his pocket and hands it to Mr..
Linton. -"Will that be of any service to
you, do you think?'
Mr.. Linton glances at it for moment,
"Good heavensl The letter [ have been
searching for all this time; now I've got
EN-. | must win now; nothing can pre-
vent it. The games in my own hands;
this is grand. But, my dear Fletcher, how
came this letter in your possession, and
what was the reason of your keeping it
concealed for SO long?"
"Mabel here will be able to answer your
first question, | think, if you will show her
the letter, and as to the second / was un-
aware that / had it until last evening.
Look aG it, Mabel, and tell us what you
know about it, handing her the letter,
which he takes from Mr. Linton, at the
same time turning it over so that she may
see her own handwriting. She starts, and
her cheeks are the color of poppies in an
instant. ooh, Percyf' she gasps, 81 hadn't
a notion of this. How could | have been
so stupid, but l remember l was in papas
study when l packed the things up, and
in great hurry for fear he should come
back, and l seized the first bit of paper |
could lay my hands on, and l suppose |
took this by mistake
''Well, dear, it will be lesson to you in
future not to return the presents | give
you" says Percy laughingly.
"Why, child, what is the meaning of all
this; what have you been doing?"
''Papa, must confess; have been the
culprit all along. When | sent back Per-
cy's presents put in little note of my own
besides the one you made me write; and
stole piece of paper from your desk
to write it on, and | think must have
taken this letter by mistake; am very
sorry"
"You little baggage, and so 1 have got
to thank you for all my anxiety and wor
ry; well, l shant be angry since it has all
come right in the end. But am inclined
to feel very grateful to Fletcher for offer
ing to relieve me of such dangerous par
ty before you do me any worse mischief.
But come into the house now and We'll
drink confusion to old Boyer's Execu-
tors"
Time has hurried on since that morning
when we saw the trio in the garden at
Harrow. Old Linton did win his case,
and the other evening when / was dining
with Percy l observed his wife was wear
ing locket of very peculiar pattern.