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

: do you know if any one can CLAIM
them?''
II can't say that do"
Raymond took this ambiguous repl,
. as confession of ignorance. He knew
that Mother St. Gertrude had never
spoken Of Isabel's origin to outsiders
and he had never heard that Isabel hat
breathed her secret to any one. HI
felt safe. The name on the deeds would
not suggest anything to Mangan, he ar
gued. But the publication? That was
his dread.
II couldn't expect proofsheet Of
your article?" queried Raymond, af
fecting a gayety that was not his.
You can expect nothing but an ex.
pos" of your peculiar practices.
You are going into this matter thor
oughly."
well, look at it this way: The
publication of the story may lead to the
discovery of the owners or heirs. If |
can do good in that way, will. At
the same time, will make known the
fact that Francis Raymond is about to
have all this property transferred to
himself
ut wouldn't do me any harm, and it
| wouldn't do the owners or heirs any
good. The time is very short. Wouldn't
| You like to own some of these lots,
Mangan?'
Your corrupt method may reach the
business office of the paper, not me. Try
it."
Il will, and then where will you
be?"
"You will not try it,"
why not?"
You are too cunning to leave your
self open to perpetual blackmail by an
inscriptions publisher, even if you
should find one in The Bugle Office,
which do not believe. / made the
suggestion sarcastically, because you
have already adopted the practice of
bribery and by it earned yourself the
title of good fellow
You think fast and Deep" said
Raymond, his willy mind suggesting
compliments as change. II would
prefer dealing with you. Don't get
mad'-as Mangan scowled at him
I'm talking as friend.'
Better end the conversation here
and now"
why are you SO determined?"
Because justice must follow"
IF there is any one you know who
owns any of these lands, will transfer
my certificate in every case. Now, find
claimant
1t was bold stroke. It was shrewd
attempt to sound the depths of Man
gan knowledge, but Mangan read his
purpose and calmly said
81 cannot accept your proposition
The claimants will turn up when the
story is published. l will select one
owner and run him or his heirs down.
When do, will use that as an exam
pie that will draw more general atten-
ton to the system that makes men like
you rich without the risk that attends
highway robbery. I'll print
the story of the commission and of the
parks. Later will come the sequel,
and hope that it will photograph you
| have told you, or your
satellites, that you cannot escape this
castigation, your first and your last. 1t
will drive you out of town.
"Do not let your imagination run
away with you.'' A,-z-4s<s--s -
Here's my car" said Mangan.
1--WE done enough walking"
$50 have l..
They stood upon the corner awaiting
The car. Mangan felt he could not hope
10 draw anything from Raymond, who
was thoroughly familiar with reporto-
rial inquisition. Raymond had also con-
Guided that he could not swerve Man {
yan from his course. He had resolved. I
however, to outwit him in some way I
and prevent the publication of second I
'tory. They boarded the car and sat !
Town together.
: "Mangan, have something impor-
ant to tell you. Where are you going q
loW?'
ITO the office.
"Will you meet me in the evening" 1
"On what business?"
1.-THE business we were discussing"
Il will see you. Where?"
There's to be little banquet to-
light in the warden's parlors in the
You know every one who
will be present. The last banquet of this
nature was one you newspaper men
will not soon forget. 1t was in the Jail.
\ murderer committed suicide while
he festivities were at their height, and
on boyS ran away from the pleasure to !
he duty of getting out an extra.
There will be no newspaper man but
on there tonight. You may get
plendid exclusive story"
Il will CO."
The conversation. by mutual endeav-
T, so to speak, drifted into the com
nonplace. Mangan jumped off the car
$ it passed The Bugle Office and ran
nto the editorial rooms.