The Louisiana Democrat., 1891-08-05

the old mans eyes, but he was far too
1ull OF tight to abandon the dispute
lie first attacked Dicks politics. then
his personal appearance and abilities.
without being conscious how provoking
he was
One bitter word followed another till
all three men were on their feet, and
Lyman, with d little scream. had
rushed between his uncle and his cousin,
Dick laughed uproariously at the inter-
vention, and kicking it out of his way,
said:
"Good-by, unelci I'm not going to
quarrel any more with you. The world
is big enough, | reckon, for both of us
and for cur opinions"
lie went straight to Ike, who was sit
ting just where he efthim, and said:
Ike, tell uncle, in a couple of days,
that have gone vest and that there's
1 no i'll blood between us; and, Ike.
watch Mona for me until can come
after her"
"You are bound to go, then?"
"Ycs; the old man is fire and | am
gunpowder. We are better apart--that
is all"
Go long, then; I'll watch what YOU
leave behind"
Dick felt unhappy enough at leaving
Mona. She lived alone with her father
and he was not always the best of pro-
tcctori, Dick spent the rest of the day
'y her side and left town in the cool Of
the evening in no very dcspondent
mood. Mona had promised everything
he had asked of Lcr, and all the rest
seemed possible.
/ He had some land and cattle on tho
| San Marcos, and he purposed putting
up pretty house there gradually,
mainly with his own hands. In two
years he would sell some of his increase,
furnish it, marry Mona, turn grazier,
and run for the legislature. When he
went back he would make it all right"
with his uncle, and, being so far apart,
they could keep right, aud if not, and
he lost his share of Jack Burleson's
estate, made money was better than
given money, anyway.
For a week after Dicks departure the
old man hoped against hope; but one
day, when Ike Brennan carelessly
asked: s'Whcn is Dick coming back
from the west?'' then he knew the lad
had gone to shift for himself, and, lone
ly as it left him, he thoroughly liked
Dick for doing it. after this Ike and
the judge spent much time together.
They kept up perpetual quarrel, but
they were well matched, and after a
years disputing, the victory'on every
single point was:a disputed one. Some
times, at the end of a long argument,
and a long silence, thejadge would say:
Have you heard anytbing?" and then
Ike, shaking his head, and shaking the
ashes from his pipe, would rise and 90
away. = -
Early inthe second year the judge
had an accident that completely inva-
lided him; and after some months de-
cline he quietly passed away. Singu-
larly enough, there was no will found,
and Lyman Sneed took possession of
everything. No Dick appeared to dis
pute his claim. Ike smoked away in
his old, shady corner, and smiled queer
ly to himself when he saw how diligent-
ly Lyman began to improve the city
lots, anl how cleyerly he collected and
invested the outstanding accounts of
the estate.
In all things but one Lyman's fortune
prospered--Nona still refused all his
attentions. But as soon as the Judge
was dead he began to use stronger
means of persuasion. Nonas father
owed him large sum- and their home
was mortgaged for its payment. Ly-
man soon let father and daughter see
on what terms only the Duval place
could be saved; and the father cared
too much for his own indulgence not to
press with all his power so desirable
method of clearing off his liabilities.
Nothing of this plan, however. came
to Ike's knowledge until one night old
Duval, in fit of maudlin intoxication,
revealed it. Then he went home full
of anxiety. He had no money that
would touch Nona's needs, and he had
not yet heard anything from Dick.
-a# L u 3 ifC eNCHSy VI NY pSoo SoSo w
know if the fellow is dead or alive" he
said, us he pushed open the latchless
door of his log cabin. a man was sit
ting in his own chair fast asleep.
"Dick at lasti"
One soul wakes another, and Dick
opened his eyes wide and answered:
"Here / am, Ike"
''You tormenting youngster, where
have you been?'
Everywhere, Ike, and precious little
luck either. At last / went to Yuba
and Nevada, and tried hard to make my
pile Two months ago Jim Harrison
straycd up there and told me uncle was
dead, and Mona going to marry Lyman
Snecd. / couldn't stand that, and SO
came along with what had"
GLOW much?"
"Only eight thousand dollars"
"That's enough. guess you'll find
yourself richer than you think.
The next morning, Mona Duval COM
pletely amazed Lyman Sneed by enter
ing his office accompanied by Ike Bren-
nan and paying in full every claim he :;
had on the Duval place. But he was
still more amazed by an official notice
to meet, next day, the heirs of Jack
Burleson and hear his will read He
found at the place appointed Dick
Burleson, Mona Duval, Ike Brennan
and three of the principal citizens of
the place The will, leaving nearly
l.,
flaw. Lyman simply received one hun