San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-21

NN1SAA NhV luAOiN Vi IL HeW UOOA.
Among the small collection of vol
umes IN the bookcase were two works OF
fiction, 1.-The Vicar of Wakefield" by
Goldsmith, and THE Fair Maid OF
PERTH by Sir Walter Scott. There were
old volumes when he had come into
possession OF them, but now deprived of
their covers and worn with much han
ding, they had come to resemble huge
Eastwood chips. Yet they were the
most priced of the collection.
There was not book in the case that
he had not read over and over again
several times, and how often he would
long for the day to come when he could
purchase other books of which he had
heard, the possession of which was his
GROWING ambition.
For over an hour he sat there absorbed
in the book before him, then returning
it carefully to the bookcase, he hastily
undressed, and extinguishing the light
he retired to his bed.
For some time he lay there listening
to the beating of the rain on the roof
and the roaring of the wind without, till
at last a sense of drowsiness stole over
him, and he was just dropping into
slumber when the sound of voices in the
adjoining room aroused him. He recog
nized the voices as belonging to the two
strangers who occupied the next room
Only thin board partition separated
the two rooms, and the voices were quite
audible. Without any intention of play
ing eavesdropper, Dan could hear what
was said, and in the first words he recog
nized the voice Of the tall man.
II am of the opinion that we can't get
through with this business any too quick
ly," said the voice, in low but distinct
tones.
do you think we are running any
great risk" asked the short man.
''I'm afraid So"
"But the interested parties are thou
sand miles away, and there is no way in
which they can gain any clew to the
business unless we are fools enough to
tell them"
"But am not sure of that"
WHY"
''As said before | am not sure that
Barnaby did not write the letter notify
ing the woman and boy of the death o.
our client, and of the will he made"
"That places matters in rather I'M
pleasant shape"
1T does indeed. If old Barnaby had
died few days sooner it might have
saved us deal of trouble. | never
fancied him for partner; he was too
conscientious entirely. OF course his
name drew large business to our firm,
but he threw away many golden oppor-
tunities of making handsome thing,
simply because he was
''Too honest" supplied the voice of the
short man with low laugh. "You could
never be complained of on that score.
1--WE are two of kind" was the re-
tort. but to our business-we must
hurry through with it with as much ex-
petition as will seem consistent"
"That's capital idea, for it would be
extremely awkward for us if the old
woman and boy should come staggering
in there from Georgia and assert their
rights"
"There is one thing that makes me
think Barnaby never sent that letter to
Georgia, and that is no word has ever
come from the parties there, and it could
not have been less than month ago that
he wrote, if at all, for it was early in
August that he died"
"That's so-just few days before I
dropped in on you fresh from the great
Rockies of Colorado, where l had been
engaged in an unsuccessful search for
gold"
"And keeping out of the reach of the
officers of the law" broke in the voice Of
the tall man with a chuckle.
Exactly replied the other, ''but /
fancy neither of us has any business that
is liable to take us back to Ohio"
mot if we can avoid it, !" was the re-
ply "But to the business-do you think
we can trust the woman to do the i'm
personating act?"
81 am sure we can"
And she will not fail to meet us in
Scott at the proper timer"
shell be ON hand, never fear"
IBID you give her the particulars of
the business on hand?'
"No; I'd rather do that by word of
mouth. Letters sometimes prove to be
deuced awkward things when they fall
into the wrong hands"
That's fact; you should have been a
lawyer"
at isn't too late yet-suppose | study
under you" with low laugh.
"That wouldn't be bad idea. What
branch will you take up first|
willis"
Both men laughed at this remark, and
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