The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-17

meath his drill to require such unusual pre-
cautions against observation, as well a
removal. He appeared behind the dog IL
the open doorway as Mark approached.
SIS this Mr. Peters," inquired Mark
"That's my name"
ssI come from Mr.. Tully, owner of thi.
property, who has put it's management in
nv hands," said Mark. MY name is
TuIly. You are going for oil, l see.
Rather outside the belt, aren't you!"
"Mehbe it's oil Pm after, and mebbe it's
water"
..How far down are you:"
"Mebbe I'm down to the sand, and
mebbe l amt to the first rock. You're too
curious, young man. Anything wrong
with the lease:"
.sNothing at all. You are safe in possess
sion the rest of the year, and can buy the
place within that time at the price agreed
on"
"Well, there amt nothing in the lease,
fur's | know, about the landlord entering
upon the premises when he may see fit,
and l amt fixed up for company yet.
Glad to see you and your friends some
other time. Good-day."
"Good-day," replied Mark, handing him
card. ''If you want to buy, drop me a
line"
Mark had seen and heard enough to
cause him TO employ the services of the
one lawyer in the country town near by as
in some sort a confidential agent to main
tain Il discreet watch upon the boring
operations at Fosters Folly, and report to
him by telegraph il any strike was made.
1t seemed impossible: but il it happened,
that unluckY mortgage would become the
most valuable of his uucle's possessions.
He arrived home in due course of TINA
and railroading, with the determination to
push his scheme to test as quickly as cir
cumstances offered opportunity. And op-
portunity came treading swiftly on tn
heels of circumstance; for on going to his
Office on the morning following his arrival,
| he found among the accumulated mail noi
only Fanny's tender little letter annOunc-
| ing her sudden departure, which he had
| missed He week before. but Pittsburgh
paper with marked notice of the death o!
Andrew Jackson Scrimson, and another
letter from Fanny telling that they would
leave Immediately after the funeral. and
reach the city the very day on which Mars
was now reading the announcement.
! Mark lost no more time in reporting ct hls
| uncle's residence than was necessary for
short interview with Collins, the confiden-
tial clerk and bookkeeper of the late firm
the purport OF which was also confidential
II have news for you, uncle" was his
Introductory remark, somewhat sombre in
| utterance.
II hope it's good news, my boy"
You will probably think so, sir" re-
sponded Mark. 81 have received thiI
paper from Pittsburgh" And he handle !
il to his uncle, indicating the spot whera
to read.
''SCRTMSON.-In this city. 10Th inst. sud
denly, Andrew Jackson Scrimson, aged Atty
seven years"
"What-what's this:" exclaimed Mr.
Tully, flushing a deep red, and then paling
so quickly that his nephew stepped hastily
forward to catch him as he sank into a
chair. "Is this true, Mark? How did il
happen? Great heavens! To think of his
going off in that way!"
| 81 ran across him on the Pennsylvania
Central last week." replied Mark. "He
was on his way to Pittsburgh, and
thought he wasn't looking as well as
usual | can't believe now that he Is
dead" he continued, with heartless
hypocrisy, "but when 1 got this news
brought it straight to you, as l knew you
had a considerable interest in the fact"
"Dead-dead-." Mr.. Tully spoke as il
to himself. Then to Mark: "You might
have broken it to me more gently, ny
boy"
4 understood you were anxious to
realize on your policy"
What do you take me for?" cried Mr..
| Tully, an angry red diSplacing the paliOr
| of his face.
"And that perhaps you would like to
secure the proofs of death without unneces-
sary delay" continued the young man,
mercilessly.
May God forgive me-" calculated the
elder. at is too late to ask it OF my old
! friend. But if his spirit can take note of
things of the earth it has left, he will some
! time know that never in my heart did
wish him ill. Mark" he continued, after
pause in which he seemed to be pulling
himself together after the shock, 1--WE must
| go at once to the office and see if Collins
| can tell US anything of this terrible affair"
| Ma,-ly ell rla
| the short walk down town, but for a differ
| ent reason; and when they entered the
corridor leading from D1ane Street to the
office on the corner, his soul quaked within
him. But hardly had they entered the
counting room, and put the first anxious
| question to Collins, when from the en-
| trance opening on the other side there ap-
| peared, not with his daughter upon his
arm, but himself leaning on that frail
support, Mr.. Scrimson.
The two partners stood speechless an
| instant, while conflicting purposes seemed
| battling within them.
Andrew v'-Tully was the first to speak.
| "Marcellus ."-and their hands were
clasped.
'God bless US both, 1t wasn't YOU, then.
But who put this lying thing in the paper"
demanded Tully, pulling from his pocket
the Pittsburgh daily.
That is my cousin-my twin, they used
|
| | want to know what this means" And
he took from his pocket letter with the
| firms heading, and shook it savagely he
| fore the face of Collins, whose name ap-
peared at the foot. 1t read:
DEAR SIR: Referring to Your late ev-
pressionS of concern regard ng the policy
| which you hold on the life of your lase part
ner. Mr. Tuly, l would say that recent
event renders it adv sable to take steps at
once il order to realize upon it.
"What does that mean," vociferated
Scrimson, Except that you have news OF
Tully's death, and are breaking it to me
as gently as you CAM"
II certainly did not wish to disturb YOU
unnecessarily, SIR" replied Collins, in
spired by an excruciating wink which
Mark delivered him over his uncle's shoul-
der. II simply wished to confer with Won
on the matter Of Reinsurance. as / learn
this morning that the Monadnocx Mutual
has defaulted its payments. and will be
wound up at once by the insurance COM
missioners."
"Tbat means that our policies are worth
less" said Tully. "Well, Pm glad of it,
$50 am l." responded Scrimson. 81
never felt so much like a hound as when
got Collins letter this morning, and
thought you were gone"
"Nor l so like brute as when read
your death in the papers,"
For some minutes small and rather
dirty boy in telegraph messengers uniform
had been inquiring of deaf ears if Mr..
Mark Tully kept there. Mark now took
from him the yellow envelope, tore it open.
aud glanced at the message.
This concerns you, uncl~." he said
handing it to the elder man, who read:
Peters struck oil. Thousand barrels yes
terday. Well plugged until tanks arrive.
Am Offered big money for land next Foster :
| Folly. Wire price and authority to sell"
| hal dOas fhiS ha