The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-04-16
PHGBE'S SPECULATION.


1t was my first case of Importance,
and had taken it on speculation. If
had succeeded, it would not only be
feather in my cap, but neat sum
in my pocket; if l didn't, it would be
at the cost of deal of labor wasted
and sound legal Grubbing at the
hands Of Naboth Twyscott, who ap-
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 secret
pocket of my coat where it would be
safe till morning.
We lived, my wife and !, in snug
little cottage near the city. We had
been married not quite year. In fact,
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 1 had ventured to ask Phoebe
Harland to complete our somewhat
long-standing engagement.
1 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 large hole insmy share
of the spoils.
1 know it was a mean thing, and
can hardly think what put it into my
head, for / fully intended to dea
squarely by Phoebe; but on the train
homeward it somehow occurred to mt
that there was no need of hurry in
telling her l had got the money. II
would do as well in day or two as il
would now.
Phoebe 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 1 wonder how l kept the
guilty secret, but somehow l did keer
| it.
1 was awakened next morning by q
messenger with telegram summonine
me at once to town to draw Mr.. Ban.
toms will. l hastened to catch the
early train, which / was just in time
to do. Mr.. Banton was rich retired
merchant, whose patronage was not
to be neglected.
Instead Of finding him dying, l was
not little surprised at seeing Mr.
Banton in dressing gown and slippers,
enjoying hearty breakfast. His i'll
ness was imaginary, and, as l after
wards discovered, he was in the habit
of occasionally fancying himself in a
dying state, when in reality nothing
was the matter. l 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 1 had reached my of.
fee that I noticed l had on a different
coat from that worn the day before
which, being 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 nigh
before, and in the hurry of my
morning toilet had failed to note
the change.
l was little annoyed when, at {
late hour my client, Jonas Swirl
called to settle and get his share O
the money. He was a very suspi
cious person, and when l explained
the change of coats and the alb
sence of the cash, I fancied h,
looked Just trifle distrustful. Still
he said nothing, and went away prom
ising to come b ok tomorrow.
l hardly stopped to return Phoebe
kiss that evening before running up t,
the closet to look for my old coat. l
was not there. l tossed everything
upside down, rummaged all the draw
ers, searched every hook and peg, bu
the missing garment was nowhere Wis
ible.
"Phebep 1 cried, running down t
the diningroom where she was bus,
preparing tea-"Phebe! where's tn
coat wore yesterday"
"That old one?"
"Old or new, where is itP' 1 de
manded.
I'm afraid / seemed tospeak harshly
but / was only excited.
Phoebe looked scared. i had neye
addressed her so before