The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-24

more than 1000 pounds sterling, so it isn't
| very likely that the executors will let Linton
have it, more especially-and this is the fin
est joke-old Linton can't find Boyers letter
accepting his offer which he asserts he re-
ceived. You can imagine what the old ruff
fans feelings are, seeing good round sum
slip through his fingers. He has hunted high
and low for the letter. and he declares that
someone might have stolen it, but my own
idea is that it never existed save in his i'm
| agination. He even goes so far as To de-
scribe it, saying that it was written on a
half sheet of paper only. and no crest or
! monogram on it. All this must have hap
| pened juss about the time your engagement
| was broker. off, which will account for your
not having heard anything about it"
eyes, l suppose it was about then; for re-
member be was always talking about buy.
ing some piece of land. and what he was go
ing to make out of it"
"But say, Percy" continued Glassdale,
ito change the subject, there is something l
! want you to do for me- and hardly like to
ask it."
Fire away, old man; I'll Go it if can,
you may be sure"
| "Well, its Just this: "When you were en-
gagged to Miss Linton, believe you gave her
among other things locket of very peculiar
one evening when she was wearing it, and
she told me that you had had it made for
her. Now, want to know if you would
have any objection to telling me where you
gotit, so that might get one made like it
for Millie OF course, if you have, say so at
| once and / shall think no more Of the
matter"
"Not in the least, my dear fellow 1t is
nothing to me now. Miss Luton sent all
| my presents back when the affair ~o,le to
an end, and l should think that the locket is
among them, and if SO / shall be very glad
to lend it to you TO get one made like it.
Here's the parcel. / put it up on that shelf
the day they were returned, and have never
touched it since"
And Percy cuts the string and undoes the
brown paper wrapping.
"There you are; that's its case, and think
you'll find it inside" throwing leather-cov-
cred box over the table to GlaSsdale.
"Hullol What's this?' taking a sheet of
writing-paper out of the parcel
Here's something I've never seen-excuse
me a moment" Percy reads for q moment
OF two, and then drops into a chair and GOV
ers his face with his hands, uttering not
sound.
any dear fellow, what's the matterr
eagerly inquired Glassdale. "No bad news,
HOPPER
"Bad newsl No; the very best WIS ever
had In my life, and it has been hidden from
me for six months What will my little girl
think of me2 Just listen to this:
"'Take no notice, darling of the letter you
will get with this. Papa makes me write it.
l don't mean a word of it, Be true to me as
am to you Send line to say you forgive
me. No time for more; he's COM
"Look at it, all crumpled up, anyhow, and
showed in under one of the cases, so that he
might not see it. It's clear as mud, she must
have written that when he wasn't looking.
Read it yourself, old man. and give me joy"
| And Gassdale takes the letter and having
read it through turns it over.
"Why, there's some writing on the other
side; she must have seized on the first piece
of paper she could find May read itl'
"Of course you may; go on"
GlasSdale scans the writing for a moment
| or two and then bursts out
"By the holy pokers! it never rains but it
pours. You are in luck's way tonight; just
listen to this:
End April, 1877.
DEAR SIR: In answer to your letter just
received making an offer of 5000 pounds
| sterling for the Holm Meadow, beg to say
that am willing to accept that sum, and if
you will call on my solicitors, Messrs Gray
burn a. Reeves BEDFORD row, on Friday
morning next at 1870 l will me you there,
and a proper contract can drawn up.
| Yours truly, JAN S BOYER
aThere, my dear fellowl you've got the
game in your hands now That's the identi-
cal letter that old Linton is worrying him
self into his grave about. Give him that
and he'll do anything for you, know"
ooh, never mind that letter; it's the one
from Mabel that I'm thinking about"
"Yes; that's all very well, but look what
pull the letter on the other side gives you.
Taking the two together, the old ruffian is
bound to cave in She must have been in
his study when she was packing up your
parcel, and have taken the first blank sheet
of paper she saw off his desk; probably the
letter was face downward, so she wouldn't
see the writing on the other side"
Eyes; fancy you are right, but tomorrow
morning shall explain everything. And to
think that all this time has been wasted
through my not opening the parcel"
"Well, l must go now" says Glassdale,
J rising. ats getting awfully late, and you'll
like to be Alone fancy. know l should.
But you'll let me take the locket, won't you
I'll bring it you back safe"
"Take the locket by all means, my dear
old boy, but lel me have it back soon, for
Il
very shortly. And thank you awfully fol
what you have done for me; if it hadn't been
! for you should still have been the misera
BILE fellow l was half an hour ago. instead OF
one Of the happiest men under the SUM-"
"Moon you mean, considering the time OF
night. Well goodbye and good luck Il
you; when SEQ you again shall expect te
hear that everything is arranged satisfactor.
lily on the old footing"
III.
! "How shall I manage to catch her alone
The old fellow won't let me enter the house
IL he knows anything about 1t, that's certain
Let me see" and Percy remains In deer
, | thought until the train runs undor the
bridge and comes TO standstill opposite tn,
platform Mt Harrow His mind Is evidently
made up now-there Is no hesitation or doub,
visible In his face as he strides away toward
r | the hill at the foot of which lies the Lintons