The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1892-03-31

can wish her no greater blessing than
to find good and worthy husband" ;"
AT that moment Edith opened the
door, but, seeing us, she stopped in
the entrance.
Come here, Edith" said Sir
Edmund; and, taking her hand,
he continued, "Mr. Thorne wishes
you to be his wife: is that your wish
also?"
She buried her burning tace in her
fathers shoulder; she could neither
say yes or no.
1T is question that should not be
decided hastily" the Baronet contin-
ued, "take time, my dear. Mean
while, / see no reason for your leaving
the house." he added, addressing
me.
Unless" / faltered.
"Unless Edith wishes it" the Bar
onet said, helping me out. "True.
Shall you feel more at ease, dear, if
Mr.. Thorne goes away--for a certain
time, say? Shall he go?"
Still screening her face Edith shook
her head, and then I knew that
had won treasure greater
thansthe Resper diamond.
In the afternoon of the goth Sir
Edmund said:
Il have been looking at your engage
ment, Bernard, from practical point
OF view, and a fact occurs to me that,
at such a time as this, would probably
escape you. That agreement of yours
must be altered. You will see that,
for Edith's sake, what l call the ton.
tine clause, q clause conferring upon
the survivor a deceased partners
share in the Great Hesper should be
a5rogated. 1t entails q risk which
she must not be exposed to; you
understand me?'
/ understood what he said perfectly,
and agreed with him that the clause
must be altered.
Consult with your partners"
he said, "as to what change is
advisable. | expect my lawyer
here on the Oath, and he can then
draw up a legal agreement in accord
ance with our general wish.'
/ took the Judge into Van Hoeck's
room that. night, and there told
him of my engagement to Miss
Lascelles. Van Hoeck was visibly
alarmed when he heard this; and
when | went on to say that Sir Ed
mund wished the clause altered by his
lawyer on the Oath, be said quickly,
In a low voice,
"The crafty old foxl What does he
mean by that?"
"His meaning is obvious enough" l
replied; ''if / marry Miss Lascelles,
and die, she will be dispossessed of my
share in the diamond. | can leave her
only q legacy of debt"
Eyes, end thet amt all on it, said
the Judge, drawing his wiry chin-tuft
through his hand and bending his
brow. "Thet amt all by a lump.
We're playing with marked card in
the pack,-a card as might tempt e'er
a one on us to foul play
''What on earth do you mean?
Speak plainly ifEou can," said Van
Hoeck, in angry impatience.
"'Well, ] mean this ere" answered
the Judge, with slow impressiveness
"thet, if one of my pardners wasn't a
gentleman, and t'other wasn't helpless
blind, I'm burned if I'd go to bed with
salat q six-shooteE Eunder my piIler, and
my finger on the trigger. Idon't allude
to one any more'n another; but we'll
just take Israel's word forgospel, that
every one is thief if you give him a
chance of thieuin' lend, at that rate,
Pm just as likely as not to murder
my two pardners, end git the whole of
thet diamond to myself. Conse-
quently, youwill allow thet the Squire
has a double reason fur wantin' thet
agreement altered; fur it aint only the
money he's got to secure on to his
daughter, but her husbin's lie like
wise. Time enough for the young lady
to be widder in the nat'ral order of
things in genial"
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