The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-08-22
Perry assenteu, and Skldder proceeded;

Perry assented, and SKidder proceeded;
"What shall we say, therefore, for
your entire interest? Will fifteen hun
dred dollars be fair fgurc?"
The strange smile OF Perry Wynans
deepened.
"Hardly," he answered. II have
taken the trouble to give those lands a
personal inspection, and"
@You?" exclaimed the merchant, with
start of astonishment
"Certainly-I."
"Whcn. may ask?"
almost three years ago"
"What! Before you purchased them?"
Naturally" And Perry smiled again.
u went out there during one OF my
brief vacations.
The merchant lost co,or. He even
looked startled, and his mien grew re-
proachful and injured, as if he had been
deceived.
@And have also been at the expense
of sending mining expert to Montana
to report upon the property" added
Wynans.
aAnd your expert has reported?"
"He has, sir. may add 1 am in re.
ceipt of very surprising information.
The merchant stirred uneasily, an in.
tense flush replacing the pallor which
had mantled his face.
"Such information, in fact" explained
Perry, "that I do not caro- to part with
my Musselshell property on any terms
whatever"
He arose quietly, as II he had nothing
more to say on the subject.
"Oh, well, seeing it's you, Perry" de-.
clared the merchant, with wheediing
sort of tone, 81 will be liberal. l want
to give my son a new home far from his
present temptations, and have fully de-
cided to send him to Montana Suplo
we say a couple of thousands for the
prorertY?"
II am very sorry, Mr.. Skidder," :" re-
sponded Perry, "but have decided not
to sell the lands in question-certainly
not before l have again visited Montana
in person"
Hiram Skidder drew his breath hard,
his counterance losing color again.
"Then you won't put price on them?"
SNot at present-no, SIR"
"Can't tempt you?" queried the mer-
chant, forcing smile.
. II don't believe you can, sir. But you
should remember there are plenty Of
wild lands for sale near mine. I expect
to 20 out that way soon, so that your
son can have me for o neighbor. /"
II will give you 5000, Perry" inter-
rupted the merchant, with an abrupt
ness which attested how eager he was
to carry his point
"Indeed? You must have had good
news from the Musselshell!"
sNot woril"
ain any case, I must decline your
offer"
The words seemed to plunge the mer-
chant into veritable CONSERVATION.
@You can't mean it," he protested. II
told my son he should have these lands,
and so I must make you another and
final offer. Let US say Sl0,0 ,000!"
Perry shook his head emphatically.
@Ten thousand dollars or 10 cents
it's all the same to me, Mr.. Skidder," he
declared. money won't buy them!"
@What! not $40, 900, all in cash, within
five minutes?" cried the merchant
mo, sir"
"Not fifty thousand?"
mo, nor twice fifty thousand" as
sured Perry, with the same quiet smile
as before. u have no intention Of SELL
ing those lands, Mr.. Skidder, and must
decline to entertain any proposition look
ing to their purchased"
Hiram Skidder became deathly pale
with the rage and vexation these declara-
tions caused him. A flood OF furious re-
proaches and threats trembled upon his
lips. But he controlled himself,
IL am very sorry" he faltered, with
averted face. @I'll have to be content
with sending my son out there to be
your neighbor, as you have suggested.
That's all, SIR"
Perry Wynans again inclined his hand.
some figure gracefully and vanished.
What glance Of hate and wrath was
that the merchant sent after him!
"The thieving villain!" he CALCULATED.
ITO talk in that way about piece OF
property I sold him for almost nothing!
But OF course he has received eXtraor-
dinary reports from his special agent.
What can be the secret?"
Springing to his feet, he strobe to and
fro excitedly, knitting his brows in an
intense study as to the ways and means
of recovering possession Of the lands
with which ne had so lightly parted,
supposing them to be worthless.
II see what to do," he finally decided.
II must start for the Musselshell this
very night. At the best I'm on the verge
of failure. am tired of these vain at
tempts to get on my feet again. All is
lost here, and have all TO gain there.
II can get out there ahead of Perry
Winans. and catch him in some Quiet
corner, with no one looking and with
those deeds on his person, before they've
been recorded, I'll soon be master of the
situation!"
The look upon his face attested that
he meant it, all things evil being writ
ten thereon-hate and greed, and even
violence and robbery.