Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-03-07

the morbid doubts that come to me some
times. Being cheated once. / must go to
fancying that | am Ut the mercy of thieves
and traitors-another reason why / shall be
glad to take you in. Norris. Supported by
two such stout pillars as yoU and Lyman,
/ hope to get back my faith in human kind.
Well, well; your Uncle Amos has his little
eecentricities, but Ii kinder heart-an
honester soul-God never put in o mans
body. But come. now that every thing is
settled, let us join the ladies. They will
think we have deserted them"
Taking it for granted that every thing eas
settled. he led the way out.
It was not through any intention that Nor
ris Bergman's eyes were fixed Upon Childer
during the greater part of this speech.
Some change of expression caught his sight
first a creeping pallor mounting under the
dark skin and changing it to a duh, leaden
hue, then "a look that was flashed at him OF
defiance, resistance, fear Norris scarcely
knew what-before he sank his teeth sharp
ly into his lip, and brought back the color to
his face by sheer force of will.
A cold shock ran over the nerves OF the
observer. His own eyes sank. A horrible
suspicion went over him that Lyman Child
er was the deeper villain behind the alb
sconding cashier. The idea came and was
dismissed in Il moment. yet having been
there it would come again.
Carol looked up at him invltingiy as they
entered the parior, and taking the seat by
her side, he soon forgot the unpleasant i'm
preston the interview had given him. He
felt that he could not entertain q doubt OF
any one near and dear to her, all the more
that Lyman failed to send any scowling looks
in their direction.
1t was a perfect evening. Nj. Everleigh
dozed in his chair, and the young people
were left to their own devices. The clock
striking eleven brought Lyman to his feet,
and his sister followed him into the hall tc
help him or with his overcoat, and to sec
that his muffler was closely wrapped about
his throat.
For I can't have you taking cold while
am away, Lyman. Now, aren't you repaid
for letting me comet"
'iTen me one thing, Carol, was it to you
or Miss Everleigh, he was making love te
from the irst.'
81 don't think it was to Althea,n muir.
INJURED Carol, with the red chasing into
her cheeks, and Lyman faced the wintry
nigh. with a warmth about his heart which
no wind could chill.
He had not gone a dozen yart.s when
xoototCEo NdliC up ILtAl HAL, difl- d itdi1L
was laid roughly upon his arm.
"rve Just got wind of what's up. DID
you think you could go ahead with slch bust
ness without ever taking me into c)nsidera
ton. Thought l gave you a pretty strong
inkling of what l wanted, and yiu agreed
to it. Now, by gum! we'll get it INTO plain
words, and sec how far l can depend on
you"
81 think you are exciting YOU self very
needlessly. Ingot." returned L~man, con
temptuously. AT any rate, dc MT raise a
row on the street. Come to your plain
words; I am willing to hear tn I'm, though
Idon't recognize your right to take me t
task in this manner, no matter what you
may mean"
The other restrained himself with an eff
fort, and vel on more quietly:
"You know very well what ray idea is re
garding your sister Carol. She's the daisy
for me. and l won't have any one interfer
ing with my chances. l dropped you a hin
that l didn'tw want Bergman hanging around
your house, and you as good as told me thai
you would do any thing but encourage him
Twas fool enough to believe you, and now i
seems that you find an easy way to get on
of breaking you word. You .ion't encour
age him. but you send her il to the house
where he is staying and keep your bacl
turned till the mischief is cone. Now,
tell you, l won't put up with any sucl
lodges"
81 might ask. how are you foing to hell
yourself, but there's no use quarrelins
where we don't really disagree. 1 give yol
my word, I did not know BergIa an was there
until tonight. If l had, I should hay,
thought twice about letting he, 60"
Ingot was only half appeaset by this ex
PLANTATION.
al might believe that if it didn't smooth
the way for you-give you an excuse to g
as often as you like; you wouldn't care how
much my fat is in the fire so your steak il
all right: but l tell you. it's to be share ant
share alike with us. If 1 get Carol, y.ru ma
have the fair Althea; if l miss her. I'll spoi
your fun just for spite"
Lyman made 4 gesture of impatienGe.
lTo BE CONTINUED.