The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-21

face. The lazy look of indifference with
which be- appeared to be.taking in his sur
roundings and the first observation he
myself convinced me that he s was man n,
who was accustomed to making himself
at home under any circumstances and who
would be capable of doing anything to
further his own ends in life. In his hand
he carried a small bag, which, however, he
seemed indisposed to part with even for a
moment.
The old place has not changed much,
although it is nearly twenty years since
was kicked out of it,. he remarked dryly.
was conjecturing under what circum-
stances he had been kicked out. when he
answered my thought by adding: Ives,
best to tu' n me out as he did. but l will be
even with him now" and his hand involun-
tarily closed on the little black bag. while
his features underwent radical change as
smile of almost diabolical triumph fitted
over his face, which he immediately con-
tro!!ed, however. as if he feared might
conjecture what was going through his
mind.
This sudden change from his suave and
gentlemanly manner rather disconnected
me, but ventured to remark: "You must
have done something very extraordinary, for
the colonel. although somewhat dictatorial
and high tempered, is at heart gentleman
ence."
ut has been, yes. but it won't be-" and
again the placid features were distorted
and the cynical smile played about the
mouth which almost seemed to shrivel w
as he Kissed out:
''Is it just to make a will which leaves
everything to the grandckild and cuts the
parents Oft with mere pittance during the
term of their natural lives. and all because
he is not in sympathy with his daughters
husband?''
But such will does not exist, bah, man,
you are talking nonsense. And further
more l cannot believe Colonel Scott ever
turned kinsman out of his house,
You don't believe it. but you will. Re-
member l was never a kinsman," he added,
with. a short laugh, which grated rather
harshly on my ears. Twas after his money
and he found it out"
Inyoluntarily started. and an unpleas-
ant vision arose of my early "reminiscences
with my father-in-law, when he had more
than once intimated that my marriage with
his daughter was founded on this belief.
But surely l suggested. "the colonel
must have had some stronger motive for
-" and paused for some adequate ex-
preston to fill out my sentence.
'For kicking me out, you would say.
Well, YOU are right. When a man sees
through another's motives. before thew
have even taken form, he is not likely to be
over cordial, especially when he rightly
judges these motives to be based on selfish
principles. always disliked the old man,
and In few years my dislike grew into
positive hatred, and when he turned me
adrift, because forsooth refused to take up
my former profession to please one of his
many whims, but rather preferred living
like gentleman on his money, I hated
him and he knew it, AS he uttered the
last few words the veins in his forehead be-
gan to distend, his eyes grew small and
black, while the entire face began to wrin-
kle uD like that of the old man. while it
also seemed that the tall figure gradually
dwindled away, until something more like
an ape than human being, sat glaring and
at me across the table.
Starting back, began to believe that
was the victim of some awful nightmare,
and, closing my eyes, sought to reason
of the night had probably shaken my
nerves and impaired my vision, and such
seemed to be the case, for on
turning ag,lin the same tall, listless figure
lay stretched out at full length, while,
despite the threatening tone Of his last
words, he was calmly helping himself to q
glass of the old Madeira, having in the in
term lit cigar.
Tho colonel has some fine old wine and
very choice Havannas, but he was never
fond of producing them in my time" was
the next thing that struck my ear.
If had made this remark myself it could
butt hastily said: "Well, the
colonel is,gRay, and when the cats away
you know the rest
YES" he added, "that was always nv
theory, and it worked for few wears, but
he soon got tired of letting me help myself