Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1893-04-22

SAID 1t was an odd chance and
smiled cut OF politeness; but what held
me all the afternoon in wonder he kept
returning and dwelling on thia story
and telling it again with fresh Details
and laughter, so that | began at last TO
be quite ont of countenance and feel
ashamed for my friends folly.
Toward the time | had appointed
with Alan we set out from the house,
Mr.. Rankeillor and arm in arm and
Torrance following behind with the
deed in his pocket and covered basket
in his hand. All through the town the
lawyer was bowling right and left and
continually being buttonholed by gen
tlemen on matters of burg or private
business, and ! could see he was one
greatly looked up to in the country. At
last we We're clear of the houses and
began to go alongside of the haven and
toward the Hawes inn and the ferry
pier. the scene Of my misfortune. Ny
only thought should have been Of gr il
tude, and yet could not behold the
place without sorrow for others and
chill Of recoilected fear.
was thinking, when upon sudden
Mr. Rankeillor cried out clappel hi
hand to his pockets and began to laugh.
why" he cries. III this be noc
farcical adventure! After all that ]
said have forgot my glasaes!'
At that Of course | understood the
purpose of his anecdote and knew chat
if he had left his spectacles at home 1t
had been done on purpose, so that be
might have the benefit Of A,an's help
without tho awkwardness OF recogniz-
ing him.
AS soon as we Were past the Hawes.
where recognized thc landlord smo..-
ing his pipein the door, and was amazed
to see him look no older. Mr. RauasilI1T
changed the order of march walking
behind with Torrance and sending ne
forward in the manner OF scout. /
went mp the hill, whiallirg from time 10
time my Gaelic air, and at length had
the pleasure 10 hear 1t answered and tp
see Alan rise from behind bush. He
was somewhat dashed in spirits, having
passed long day alone skulkiHg in the
country, and made but poor meal in
an alehouse near Dundas. Eut at the
mere sight Of my clothes he began to
brighten up, and as soon AS | had told
him in what a forward state our mat
ters were, and the part looked to him
to play in what remained. he sprGng
into a new man.
"And that is a very good notion OF
yours" says he, land dare to say that
you could lay your hands upon no better
man to put it through than Alan Brock.
1t is not a thing (mark ye) that any one
could do, but takes Il gentleman OF pene-
tration. But it sticks in my head your
lawyer man will be somewhat wearying
to see me" says Alan.
Accordingly | cried and waved on
Mr.. Rankeilor, who came up alone and
was presented to my friend Mr.. Thorn
son.
"Mr. Thomson, am pleased to meet
my glasses, and our friend, Mr. David
here" (clapping me on the shoulder)
''will tell you that | am little better
than blind, and that you must not be
surprised If pass you by tomorrow"
This he said, thinking that Alan
would be pleased; but the highland
mans vanity was ready to startle at
less matter than that,
"Why, sir" says he, stifily, Il would
say it mattered the less as we are met
here for a particular end, to see justice
done to Mr.. Balfour; and by what | can
see, not very likely to have much else in
common. But ! accept yonr apology,
- -
which was g very proper one to make
And that is more than | could look
FOR, Mr.. Thomson" said Rankeillor
heartily. "And now as you and J. are
the chief actors in this enterprise,
think we should come to nice agree
ment, to which end propose that yon
should lend me your arm. for (what
with the dusk and the want of my
glasses) | am not very clear as to the
path: and as for you, Mr.. David, you
will find Torrance pleasant kind of
body to speak with. Only let me re-
mind YOU it's quite needless he should
! hear more of your adventures or those
/ f-ahem-Mr. Thomson"
Accordingly these two went on ahead
in very close talk. and Torrance and
brought up the rear.
Night was quite come when we came
in view of the house OF Shaws. 1t seemed
my uncle was already in bed, which was
| indeed the best thing for our arrange
ments. We made our last whispered con-
sultation some fifty yards away; and
then the lawyer and Torrance and !
crept quietly up and crouched down be-
side the corner Of the house; and as soon
as we were in our places Alan strobe to
the door without concealment and began
to knock.