The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-03-16
CHAPTER XII.

IN THE PLOTTER'S TOLLS.
Hello, Mangan! What are you do.
ing here?"
Raymond addressed the newspaper
man as if they had always been the best
of friends.
II might as well ask what are you
doing here. ;"
II don't mind telling you. The board
of supervisors is supposed to visit asy-
lums receiving support from the coun-
ty. thought Mother st. Gertrude might
like to have that disagreeable visit dis
pensed with by the supervisors in their
annual inspection. If so, was going to
send them word to pass the institution
by"
'1'm sure it was very kind of you, !"
said Mother ST. Gertrude.
II will do so then. My business is
done, ~ he added, turning to Mangan.
"Are you going down town, l have a
cab outsider
"I'm going said Mangan, but
prefer to dc a Gttlelwalking.
THIS was nYplaee for scenA. -:
gan deemed IT 10 leave the Son lit
with Raymond. lie was satisfied that
the politician had lied. What was his
mission? Nlothc1 st. Gertrude would
fain detain Manl ar, but she could get
no chance to give any sign of her
wishes. The politicians keen eyes
took in everything; nothing could be
done that they would not observe. She
could not keep Mangan back, and in
truth he did not want to stay. He wish.
ed to sound Raymond.
Both walked out together. The sun,
sinking behind the chimney tops, cast
lurid glow on the vacant lots around
the convent, furnishing the landscape
with an iridescence in harmony with
the fiery vindictiveness which Raymond
felt and from which Mangan was not
altogether free. 1t fed their anger sur
charging their temperara,nts with its
vivid magnetism, STRENGTHENING the
mood they were in and moving it on
ward to passion.
IF you re going to walk, Mangan,'
said Raymond, "I'll dismiss the cab aud
accompany you"
"As you please" was the answer.
"Now, look here, Mangan, " remark
ed Raymond, after he had paid the cab
man, "let us have an understanding.
You are unjust to me, especially SO
since you know how far l wonld be
willing to go for you
"You would go no farther for me
than it suited you.
"Granted, but why not you sc as far
for me as suits youT'
II do.
"Yes, but if you cease to be my en-
envy and become my friend you can be |
rich."
"At the expense Of the orphan3"
"What do you mean!"
Perhaps you are not aware that you
are robbing the orphan Of the heritage
that Is hers"
"Whoin do you mean?"
81 will not say, since you do not con- /
less, but let me add that l am not am
bilious or envious of wealth that is &C.
luired by dishonorable means. :"
''You dare to taunt me-"
''And to do more than that, if you
press me to it"
The two men stood and glowered at
each other. Both were men OF cour
age. Each was conscious of his own
strength. Mangan was not anxious to
avoid an encounter; in fact, he was
aching for an opportunity to punish the
nan he SO thoroughly hated and de-
'pised. Raymond's better Judgment
came to guide him, and he laughed as
ne walked on, saying:
Come on, Mangan, it doesn't pay
ne to quarrel with you. wanted TO
ak to you about the story you are
writing and concerning which you have
in some extravaganza"
II have. eh?" was the contemptuous
comment How beautifully You
phrase ideas that lift the weight of
rhine from your conscience!'
Il will not argue the point. Are You
going to write as rabidly as you have
alked:"
What if am ?"
You'll get yourself and your paper
nto trouble
"Win /? You hold the lands the
will select, and you think
he rightful owner cannot reclaim
hem"
There is no one TO claim them. If
here is, don't know it,
IL don't expect you to know much
hat is honest. You excel in knavery."