The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-04-07


appear and the other succeed in the
estate, raised a cry of murder-so that
upon all sides he found himself evited.
Money was all he got by his bargain.
Well, he came to think the more of
money. He was selfish when he was
young; he is selfish now that he is old,
and the latter end of all these pretty
manners and fine feelings you have seen
for yourself"
"Well, sir" said L, "and in all this,
what is my position?"
''The estate is yours beyond doubt"
replied the lawyer. cit matters moth
ing what your father signed, you are
the heir of entail. But your uncle is a
man to fight the indefensible, and it
would be likely your identity that he
would call in question. A lawsuit is
always expensive, and family lawsuit
always scandalous; besides which, If
any of your doings with your friend
Mr.. Thomson were to come out we
might find that we had burned our fin
gers. The kidnapping, to be sure, would
be court card upon our side if we
could only prove it. But it may be diff
ficult to prove; and my advice upon
the whole) is to make q very easy bar
gain with your uncle, perhaps even
leaving him at Shaws, where he has
taken root for quarter of a century,
and contenting yourself in the mean
while with fair provision"
I told him I was very willing to be
easy, and that to carry family concerns
before the public was step from which
/ was naturally much averse.
1.-THE great affair."" I asked, sis to
bring home to him the kidnapping?"
"Surely," said Mr.. Rankeillor, 'and
if possible out of court. For mark you
here, Mr.. David, we could no doubt
find some men Of the Covenant who
would swear to your reclusion; but
once they were in the box we could no
longer check their testimony, and some
word of your friend Mr.. Thomson must
certainly crop out, which Grom what
you have let falD I cannot think to be
desirable"
"Well, SIR" said l, "here is my way
of it," And opened my plot to him.
'But this would seem to involve my
meeting the man Thomson?" says he
when had done.
II think So indeed, sir" said 1.
"Dear doctor!' cries he, rubbing his
brow. "Dear doctor! No, Mr.. David,
am afraid your scheme is inadmissible.
/ say nothing against your friend Mr..
Thomson; l know nothing against him,
and if l did-mark this, Mr.. David-it
would be my duty so lay hands on him.
Now put it to you, is it wise to meet?
He may have matters to his ch"Ts,'. He
may not have told you all. l.. name
may not be even Thomson! .es the
lawyer, twinkling, "for some OF these
fellows will pick up names by the road
side as another would gather haws."
"You must be the judge, sir" said l.
But it was clear my plan had taken
hold upon his fancy, for he kept musing
to himself till we were called to dinner
and the company of Mrs. RanlIeillor,
and that lady had scarce left us again to
ourselves and bottle of wine ere he was
back harping on my proposal. When
and where was to meet my friend Mr..
Thomson? Was l sure of Mr.. It's discre-
ton? Surprising we could catch the old
fox tripping, would / consent to such
and such term Of an agreement? These
and the like questions he kept asking at
long intervals, while he thoughtfully
rolled his wine upon his tongue. When
/ had answered all of them, seemingly
to his contentment, he fell into still
deeper muse, even the claret being now
forgotten. Then he got sheet of paper
and pencil and set to work writing
and weighing every word, and at last
touched bell and had his clerk into the
chamber.
Torrance" said he, 81 must have
this written. out fair against tonight
and when it is done you will be SO kind
as to put on your hat and be ready to
come along with this gentleman and me,
for you will probably be wanted as a
witness"
"What, SIR" cried 1 as soon as the
clerk was gone, "are you to venture itY'
"Why 80 it would appear" says he,
filling his glass. But let us speak no
more of business. The very sight Of
Torrance brings in my head little
droll matter of some years ago when
had made q tryst with the poor oaf at
the cross of Edinburgh. Each had gone
his proper Grand; and when it came
four o'clock Torrance had been taking q
glass and did not know his master, and
1, who had forgot my spectacles, was -
blind without them that / give you my
word 1 did not know my own clerk"
And thereupon he laughed heartily.
l said it was an odd chance and
smiled out of politeness; but what held
me all the afternoon in wonder he kept
returning and dwelling on this story
and telling it again with fresh details
and laughter, so that began at last to
be quite out of countenance and feel
ashamed for my friends folly.
Toward the time l had appointed
with Alan we set out from the house,
Mr.. Rankeillor and 1 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