Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-03-14

r. tOSTINEEb-
"Look here, Ingot, you have talked like
that before. If | SAL nothing, il was not
because 1 particularly favored you as a
prospective brothcr-ir.law. / have never
thought that you stood q shadowo of a chance
with Carol, but ! was quite willing that she
should have the settling of the affair. ]
ave no idea of holding myself responsible
whatever her decision may be, and l GER
tainly shall not attcTlpt to influence her in
your favor. 1t you'll probably do no good
if / tried, but l shall not try"
Instead of having fiia anger rearoused by
this speech, Ingot was put into a good hui
NOR by it.
s.rH give you the odds in a bet that you
goback on your word" he chuckled. "Here
we are at my turning-df place, but I'm 60
ing home with you instead. I've a keep
sake / want to show you. SO you've been
on Bergman's sid after all, and FOUR good
words to me were only to keep me smoothed
down till he got in his work."
81 never believed be thought of her in
that way. was sure she cared nothing for
him. Why, they never met above two or
three times until this past week. 1 don't
favor him, though l admit now | was jeal.
Gus OF him and perhaps that preiudiced me.
If Carol takes to him, / don't see but that /
must make the best of it."
"You can continue to keep clear of him."
said Ingot, shortly.
81 am not even sure of that. He has as
good as accepted an offer Mr.. Everleigh
made hun to go into the bank
THE dickens!"
81 think l recall his telling me that you
made him a proposition to go in under you"
ayes, but / had a reason for wanting to
keep him under my eye, just then, which
haven't got now
Ingot made no effort to explain himself
further; he dropped into a reverie and
spoke no more until they stood within Ly-
mans den. Lyman had but one desire-to
get rid of his visitor. He did not wish to
mar the pleasant recollections of the even
ing by a quarrel with Iugot, but he was not
pleased to have the latter's society thus
thrust upon him.
"Can't imagine what interest any keep
sake of mine has for you, eh;'' said the
book-keeper, j~oyially. well, there it is.
Only q key-a toy key at that-lost out OF
the little gold paddock you wear as a
watch charm. Carol gave 1t TO you,
I've heard you say, on your last birthday.
Now, If you know where that key was lost
and found, you know why you'll do well to
favor my suit for your sisters hand"
Had it been Bluebeard's key, and he the
fuckless Fatima, the effect upon Lyman
Childer could scarcely have been more
pronounced. The color famed hotly into
his face and then faded from it. His quiv-
ering lips opened and closed again without
uttering a word. He was conscious that
Ingot's keen eyes were reading every sign
he gave.
"Don't trouble yourself to say any
thing put in the latter. with perfect good
humor. ~ can do all the talking. You've
gwen me a sneer every now and then,
Childer. You've held yourself a little bet
Ger and higher than l ami. ! o hold any
grudge against you for it, though l might,
II hadn't had this in my hands to turn the
tables on you whenever l chose. Now,
you'll admit yourself that I'm making gen
erous use of it. All | osk of you is to stop
any incoming between -FOUR sister and that
chap. Brig her home tomorrow and give
me q clear field. II I need any help from
you, Tn ask it in due time, aud Idon't thinl
you'll refuse no, in spite Of all you said or
the way, 1 don't think you'll refuse"