Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-08-25
C0NNOR'S INDIAN.
ny Anna rIEnroNr sIyLrER.


Why Mr.. Morton opposed the engage
mcnt of his orphan niece and ward, Nellie
Armour, to Kirk Wiley, was puzzle
to all their friends. True, Nellie was
rich and Kirk was not; bat the young
man possessed some things whibh SEN
siblc people esteem much more highly
than the ability to put ones signature to
large check. He had an cd and honor
able family name, character above re-
proach, and already an cnviable position
in his chosen prolcssion-thc law.
But when kirk asked Mr.. Morton to
sanction Nclie's engagement to him, he
met with a fat refusal Surprised and
indignant. the young lover smothered
his chagrin enough TO ask
"Would anything change your deci-
sion?n
After little thought Mr.. Morton
replied
'Ycs, when you can show me ten
thousand dollars, earned by your own
exertions, you shall have my consent. y
The young man left the room with q
heavy heart Ten thousand dollars 1t
was not large sum to some men, but
to young lawyer justcntcring upon his
profession it seemed enormous. Kirk
knew that it put years between him and
Nellie.
81 don't understand it, Kirk !" Nellie
cried, When she heard her guardians de-
cision 'I'm sure have enough money
for us both. What does he mean"
All, Nellie, if those keen eyes of your
lover could have taken Il peep into the
big account books your uncle was bend
ing over so YEARLY while you asked that
question, he could have soon told you
the meaning 1t was just this: Mr..
james Morton, the honorcd, trusted
banker, like many another man, was en-
gagged in stock operations. As it is in
the habit of doing, The market had gone
against him. in the language of 'the
street" Now, Mr.. Morton had not only
risked his own capital, but he had also,
in violation of the explicit directions of
his brothcr-in-law's will, used Ncliic's
money in the endcavor to protect" his
speculations, and lost Il large part of il.
ST only had time, I" he said to him
self, 81 could replace the amount; but
Neliic's fortune passes into her own hands
xhen she marries, and it wouldn't take
a man like Kirk Wiley long to sec
through the whole thing. Then I'd have
to face exposure aud disgrace"
As he unused thus, there was tap at
the library door, and Nellie eutered in
obedience to his Gomez
'unclc James," she said, "you have
not forgotten to send for my .,ewcls. have
you? You know Tuesday will be my
birthday, aud am TO have them then.
And"-she hesiated moment land,
l suppose Kirk is still welcome visitor
here DO you Know" she went on, half
defiantly, "Fve mind to tell him to
steal the old diamonds and buy me with
the moneys
And with forced laugh and y half
cry, Nellie vanished Then Il strange
look came into her uncle's face us he
thought
'Ics, the jewels are hers on her birth
day. Dear me, if could only convert
! them into money in some way, instead
of their being locked up, Only to be
worn on state occasions, how easily L
could slip out of all my difficulties
And it would really make Nellie happier
to let her get married. I wonder if /
could!"
As Kirk Wiley was leaving the
Morton residence on the following
Monday night, Nellic's uncle came to
the library door and called him back.
%, lone IN here moment, Kirk, !" he
said, pleasantly. ''rve something to
show YOU
When the young man, with rather a
naughty air, had followed him into the
room, Mr.. Morton said, as he closed the
door:
81 erhaps 1 wa; too short with you the
other day, Kirk; but you know Nellie is
very dear to me, ard it seemed Only
right that l should be sure Of your
ability to maintain her. However, Pve
been thinking the matter over, and have
concluded to reduce the sum 10 five
thousand dollars. What do you say to
that"
ut will be a great relief to me" Kirk
answered, cordially. ~ may be able to
raise that amount in a reasonable time;
certainly sooner than ten thousand. y
81 hope So" said Mr.. Morton. Then,
after pause, he added: 'Hcrc is some
thing that will interest you. The old
family jewels came from the safe deposit
company's this afternoon, and I've been
looking them over before putting them
away. They pass into Nellie's posses
sion tomorrow"
Kirk was deeply interested in the
IL ii, 81, l, nj tor
one by one, from their cases. There
we're flashing diamonds, glowing rub:es
aud modest pearls, with other gems in
abundance. For generations the Armours
had been adding to the stock, and Nellie
was their sole heiress.
'Im sorry must hurry you, said Mr..
Morton, after Young Wiley had gazed
some minutes at the treasures, ''but I'm
going to Wilmot tonight, and l hear
the carriage coming now to take me to
the station.
'Are You not afraid to leave these here
over night" asked Kirk.
ooh, no." Mr. Morton answered rath-
er ncrvously "Thcy'rc safe enough. No
ore knows they arc here but you, and if
they did, see how securely they are hid
dcn.n
Mr.. Morton pulled a strong drawer Of :
OF his desk, aud then touched a spring
which revealed recess beneath, in
Which he slipped the leather case con-
tanning the jewels
'.You nee this desk is not wood, as it
appears, but iron, and it would be prac-
ticaly impossible for any one not know
ing the secret to open it."
Both men then left the house and en-
tered the waiting carriage. They had
driven only few feet beyond the gate,
when Mr.. Morton exclaimed:
.John! stop aminutc! Unjust getmy
cane. | left it to- day in the arbor."
"Lct me get it, said Kirk, rising from
his seat
mo, MOP his companion cried, lit
+Io morn onarontirollv than th0 nnnec IN