Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-27

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began to read it with strangely startled
and perplexed expression.
You take a remarkable interest in sub
1ects personal to other people, it strikes
me, SIR" said Corvin, still frowning.
well, l like to be of use. when the
chance Offers" answered the other with
smile. by the way, Mr.. Corvin, you have
possession Of a great deal of farm land
hereabout I think; would you be inclined
| to dispose of it?''
mo. sir-not a foot of it." said Corvin,
crrtly.
Il was told that you hold some of it on
rather uncertain tenure" the other con-
tinued; that you are liable to be dispos-
sessed of it. in certain contingencies. in
fact. If that is so, it might be worth your
while to find u purchaser, even If he were
to ask you to make an abatement in the
price, in consideration Of the Tisk he would
assume
you've been misinformed, sir; what's
mine is mine, and 1 doa't intend to part
with it,
straight" remarked Morford. II was told
you held this land because some paper
showing that it really belonged to another
had been lost"
fools GOSSIP it's no affair of mine" re-
torted Corvin, angrily.
Perhaps, since you have no son or other
legal heir, your idea is to leave this prop
erty to the heirs of the person to whom it
justly belongs? In this case. 1 shouldn't
press you to sell, though"
will you mind your own busness?"
shouted the old man, quite losing control Of
his temper. "Wno are you, I'd like to
know? You came to me the other day to
work off some of your stock on me. I'm
glad I put off closing with you till now;
1 don't believe your stock is worth the paper
it's printed on; l believe your invention is
a swindle. AS to my having no heir to
leave my property to- We'll see about that!
I'm not dead yet to begin with, nor like to
he: and I've got a son, though your in
formant seems to have forgotten to tell you
SO. Folks may think I've cut him off with
a dollar; maybe l did: but 1 can take him
back again when / choose and l choose
now! L shall write to him by this days
post to come back here at once, and when
he comes l shall settle everything I've got
on him. 1 see your game, You think you
can get some pickings by working up some
idiotic conspiracy other with that fool of
a woman to cheat me or frighten me out
of my property. but you've got hold of the
wrong man. If you don't want to get into
trouble and bad trouble let me aloner'
DO you know your sons address, Mr..
Corvin?" asked Morford. very quietly. IF
rot, | have reason to think you may find
it in that letter.
Wen see how much you KNOW" said
the lawyer. with sheer. and he tore open
the envelope. and ran his eyes over the in
closure. Then his arms fell heavily to his
sides, ard his face turned dingy white.
rs he worse?" asked Morford, quickly.
The old man fixed a dull stare upon him.
who are ycu?" he demanded. after a
pause, in heavy tone. This letter says
my boy Peter is dead But maybe it's a
Fart of the swindle-'',
hand. No. no. Mr.. Corvin," he said. not
unkndly. Il knew your son; l met him in
New York. He fell i'll, and. as he was
destitute. ! had him taken to the hospital
could get good nursing. But he was not
expected to live 1 am sorry for YOU
Keep your sorrow!' said Corvin, setting
his jaws. 81 can do without it, If the bows
he hat no md oPh ir,,t
You and your partner, here. won't get the
land any more for that. I'll make will
and leave it to the first beggar l find in the
street sooner than Nancy Billop or any
one she's plotting with shall have as much
of it rs would do to bury 'em!"
Morford eyed him rather sternly for
moment, and then turned to Nancy. What
is your news, Miss Billop?" he said.
But Nancy had hidden her face upon her
arms on the table, and was crying silently.
She did not look up. but pushed the paper
toward Morford with her hand. Read it
to him-poor soul"' she said with sob be-
tween the words.
Morford took it up and faced the lawyer
again. This paper, Mr.. Corvin," he said,
lis in your handwriting and bears date
about ten years back. 1t is signed by you,
in presence Of two witnesses. 1t states that
in consideration of the sum of $4,000 to you
in hand paid. by Matthew Billop of Fen
brook, you CO hereby deed to him. his heirs
and assigns forever, the certain tract and
parcel of land herein named and described
on remember Inc writing, L presume; at
any rate, if You intend to deny it or to con-
test it. you will have the opportunity when
1 bring it before the court on Miss Billop's
account, l shall lose no time in doing
Meanwhile, shall keep it in charge"
The old lawyer was terrible to look at
While Morford was speaking thus His dry
lips curled back from his yellow teeth, his
fierce, crafty eyes were concentrated in a
stare of mingled. hate and fear. He leaned
forward over the table and peered into
Morford's face.
who are you?" he asked, in a husky
whisper What does all this tomfoolery
mean? Who are you?"
1T will soon be known who I am re-
piled the young man. Il came here to
make it known, among other things. But I
will tell you now. since you ask me. that l
am Tom Linton"
Corvin gave kind of hoarse cough. and
reeled back. His own hands clutched the
tablecloth as he fell, and dragged it down
with him. He fell to the floor with a crash,
and the heap of gold coins fell clashing and
jingl!ng over him. Some of them rolled
away into corners, but the bulk of them
lay heavy on his heart, which had ceased
to beat
CTo be concluded on Saturday,
GREENHALGE INDORSED.
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