The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-21

others part induced him to do so.
The door which had been held open
SO meaningly for him was very
promptly slammed after him, not
without a suspicious movement.
which looked like kick, aimed at the
departing guest
The newcomer was Oliver Toogood,
a tall, burly, hearty-1ooking man of
40, having the appearance of conn
try gentleman, though he was really
a horse dealer, very well known in
his county for honesty and fair deal
ing.
He drew up a chair to the fire,
which was now burning brightly,
and. flushed WITH excitement and
without salutation, began:
What was that cringing little beg
gar doing here?"
''He came to see me, Oli-Mr. Too
good Nora said, nervously.
We'll, the less you have to do with
him out of business hours the better"
he said. brusquely. 81 can't deny but
that he has done your work well.
suppose GU are grateful to him and
all that"
Eyes, I suppose l am" Miss Wort
ley said, doubtfully; II don't know. "
"You ought to know, then. You
would not have got SIS, 900 damages if
he had not gone about it in the right
way. 1 have got the money right
here for YOU" He slapped his pocket
significantly. ''Take my advice, Nora,
and have his bill taxed"
"You are very kind to interest your-
self about it," said Nora YEARLY:
''but I don't think Mr.. Thompson is
likely to overeharge or cheat me-in
fact, he wishes to make me his wife.
But are you going to marry him?"
IL don't know
Nora did know very well, but
there was something very con
fusing in Oliver Toogood's gaze
and the interest he showed in
her embarrassed her. and aroused
strange ideas.
surely you will never tie yourself
to a little peddling attorney chap like
that" he burst out i'm petuously.
"Why, could buy him out and out
four times over. A little snip like
and thumb"
ut is very lonely for. me-" SAID
Nora, looking down, SO that Oliver
Toogood only saw her long, dark
lasheS
but you might do better thar
that" Oliver blurted ont, with what
you have saved and my money"
YES said Nora, still keeping hel
eyes cast down, perhaps could.
| have had other offers"
THE deuce you haver'
''Well?'' he put in impatiently
"Why don't you accept the best 0
them?"
Il shall never marry without"
''An equal sum on the part of tn,
man? Well, there's the money havs
to hand over"
He pumped down a heavy pocket
book.
''There-take and count it. can
think what the deuce you want t,
quarrel with me for?''
sob, Oliver she said gently, g
always heard that the qnarrels o
lovers were the renewal of love, and
never thought you would leave M
because of what I said"
F.. ''Well, I never meant to-"
''But you did, and you said crue
things about me-"
(Which mischievous persons re
peated, Nora. l always meant t.
come around in the end. only 1 hear,
Thompson was urging you to brin,
an action for breach of promise O
marriage, and this made me turl
stubborn. Well, count the money
girl"
IL don't want it," said Nora, sob
bing and hiding her face in her hands
Il hate it, and"
''And me, too?"
Oliver got up softly and stood be
fore her.
NO." Nora murmured.
Twill you have'me, dear? I don
see why we can't make it up, no,
that the lawyers have done the wors
of it. VIII you Nora?"
Nora turned up a wet face, glorife
by happiness.
''Oh, Oliverl'' was all she said, bu
it seemed to satisfy Mr.. Toogood vast
~ well