Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1885-04-24
PHGBE'S SPECULATION.

/ 4 I1NL1OI ~ Ol nOO Liza IOIt .
1t was my first case of Importance,
and | had taken it on speculation. If
had succeeded, it would not only be
a feather in my cap, but a neat sum
in my pocket; if didn't, it would be
at the cost of a deal of labor wasted
and sound legal Grubbing at the
hands Of Naboth Twyscott, who APP
peared on the other side.
The fight was long and bitter, but
ended in verdict for my client.
1t was too late to put the money in
the bank the day the defendant paid
it over. However, it was not very
bulky roll. being all in thousand-dollar
notes; so just slipped it into a see'et
pocket of my coat where it would be
safe till morning.
We lived, my wife and I, in a snug
little cottage near the city. We had
been married not quite year In tact,
it was mainly on the strength of my
expectations from "the case" which
had then reached a point at which
Twyscott was only fighting for delay,
that | had ventured to ask Phoebe
Iarland to complete our somewhat
long-standlng engagement.
| had promised Phoebe so many
things out of the case that | had for
gotten half of them but there was
little doubt that strict account of
them was laid away in her own mem
ory, and ! feared that the sum total
would make a large hole in .av share
of the spoils.
know it was a mean thing, and
can hardly think what put it into my
head, for / fully intended to deal
s1uarely by Phoebe; but on the train
homeward it somehow occurred to me
mat there was no need of hurry in
telling her | had got the money. 1t
would do as well in a day or two as it
would now.
Ph@be met me SO lovingly, and had
such nice little supper waiting Just
the dishes she knew | liked best-and
was so chatty and pleasant all the eve
ming. that | wonder how | kept the
guilty secret, but somehow | dill keep
it.
was awakened next morning by a
messenger with telegram summoning
me at once to town to draw Mr.. Ban
tons will. | hastened to catch the
early train, which l was just in time
to do. Mr.. Banton was rich retired
merchant, whose patronage was not
TO be neglected
Instead of finding him dying, | was
not little surprised at seeing Mr..
Banton in dressing gown and slippers,
enjoying a hearty breakfast. His i'll
ness was imaginary, and, as | after
wards discovered, he was in the habit
Of occasionally fancying himself in a
dying state, when in reality nothing
was the matter | dispatched the
business with Mr.. Banton as rapidly
as possible, and do not think my hur-
ried manner impressed him favorably.
1t was not till had reached my Of
flee that 1 noticed had on a different
coat from that worn the day before,
which, being a little the worse for use,
Phoebe had strongly objected to my
wearing of late. More than once
she had threatened to sell it or give
it to the ragman She must have
slipped another in its place the night
before, and in the hurry of my
morning toilet | had failed to note
the change.
l was a little annoyed when, at
late hour my client, Jonas swirl,
called to settle and get his share OF
the money. He was very suspi-
cious person, and when | explained
the change of coats and the alb
sence of the cash, | fancied he
looked Just a trihe distrustful. still
he said nothing, and went away prom
sing to come ok tomorrow.
hardly stopped to return Ph@be's
kiss that evening before running up to
the closet to look for my old coat. It
was not there. l tossed everything
upside down, rummaged all the draw
ers, searched every hook and peg, but
the missing garment was nowhere vis-
ible.
"Ph9be" cried. running down to
the diningroom where she was busy
preparing tea-"Phebe! where's the
coat l wore yesterday"
That old one?"
"Old or new, where is it?" I de-
alaaded.
I'm afraid l seemed to speak harshiy'
but l was only excited.
Phpbe looked scared. l had never
addressed her so before.