Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-02-04

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
browning ambition.
For over an hour he sat there absorbed
in the book before him, then returning
il carefully to the bookcase, he hastily
unlrosscd, and distinguishing the light
he retired to his bed.
For some time he lay there listening
to the beating Of the rain on the roof
AMI the roaring of the wind without, till
ut last sense OF drowsiness stole over
him, and he was just dropping into
slumbcr when the sound of voices in tho
adjoining room aroused him. He recog-
MED the voices as belonging to the two
strangers who occupied the next room.
Only a thin board partition separated
the two rooms. and the voices were quite
audible. Without any intention OF play
ing elvesdropper, Dan could hear what
was said and in the first words he recog-
nized the voice of the tall man.
IL aln 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 TIE short man,
I'm afraid So.
But the Interested parties are thou
sand niles away. aud there is no way III
winch they can gain any clew to the
business unless we are fools enough to
tell them"
'Dut ! am not sure of that:'
Why"
LAS | said before l am not sure that
Barnaby did not write the letter notify
ing the woman and boy of the death oe
our client, and of the will he made"
Tint places matters in "a rather IN
pleasant shape.
at does indeed. If old Barnabv had
died d few days sooner it might h4ve
saved rs deal of trouble. l never
fanciel hlm for partner; he was too
conscientious entirely. Of course his
name drew a large business to our firm
bat he threw away many golden oppor.
t,.nitie3 of making IA handsome thing,
simply because he was'---
TOO honest" supplied the voice Of the
short man with a low laugh. You could
never be complained of on that score"
Nv are two Of a kind, was the re-
tort. But to our business-we must
hurry through with it with rs much ex.
ra,ifinn MS will seem consistent.
..Thot's a caI,;tal idea. for it would he
extremely awkward for us if the old
,vo,o,n and how should come staggering
in there from Georgia and assert their
righ,s."
There is one thing that makes me
think BaInalv 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 a month ago that
he wrote. if at all. for it was early in
August that he died.
That's so-iust d few days before
lroppad in on YOU fresh from the great
Rockies of Colorado. where | had been
ENGAGED in an unsuccessful search for
rold"
And keeping out OF the reach of the
officers of the law" broke in the voice Of
the tall mau with a chuckle.
EXACTLY" replied the other, "but
fancy neither of Us has any business that
is liable to take Is back to Ohio"
NO if we can avoid it," was the re-
rlv. But to the you think
we can trust the woman to do the i'm
personating act:"
Il am sure we can"
And she will not fail to meet US in
Scot at the proper time"
"&he'n be on hand, never fear"
Did You give her the particulars of
the business on haud:"
no: Id rather do that by word of
| mouth. Letters sometimes prove to be
dcuced awkward things when they fall
into the wrong hands"
"Inat's a fact; Won should have been a
LAWYER"
1t isn't too late vet-supDose | study
under you:" with low laugh.
That wouldn't be a bad idea. What
branch will you ta..e up tirst:"
"Wills."
Both men laughed at this remark, and
the conversation was broken off.