Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-07-26
aI6WiIdLandS.
on, TIE
Figlt for the MlSSGlShel millions.
by LEON LEWIS.
CHAPTER v.
VERY STRANGELY BEFRIENDED.

eX'CdSultI!
single instant of wild incredulity. "How
glad l am to see you! Where did you
come from so suddenly?" a
Il followed you, Elfie, from your
uncles store,o repl ed Perry, shaking
hands warm'y. accept my arm, please,
and wen take a itt walk. I've some
thing to say tO you"
Elfie complied without hesitation, as
without question, Ecr sweet, glowing
face attcsting her JOY at meeting him,
and they sauntercd away together
How sudde it seemed to her, his re-
appearance in her life, and at such
moment Ard how suddenly, too, with
his arrival, had the whole aspect OF the
world itself chan gel for her
"Why, | didn't see you in the store"
she murmured, archly, radiant with her
new q adness which she did not seek 10
conceal.
81 mono tho less saw you there, re-
sponded Perry. "My desk was close be-
side your uncles Office, so that l saw
you when you camo in and when you
went out"
"Did YOU heard all uncle said to me?"
"Not all-no, but enough to give me
lust idea of what he was saying and do
ing"
"Then YOU heard him tell me"
ayes. the heartlcss monster! Need ]
say how deeply l was grieved ana
shocked by his cOnduct?"
Elfe locked up with the gratitude
these declarations were so well calcU!at'
cd TO awaken, as also with the keen re-
lief the new situation of affairs had given
her.
"You are very kind, Mr. Wynans," "
were the simple words which escaped
her, but with what tender jOyOusnesS
were thoy uttered.
"You can meyer know how impatient'y
have waited to se1 you again, con-
tnued Perry. "Since l first went TO
Ingleheim. Almost three years ago, to
talk with your father about his lands on
the MusseShell, have had the extreme
hlppincss of being acquainted with you,
but our meetings have been alike too
few and too rief, YOU were away so
much-at schco', at your booksellers,
and elsewhere "
How shyly and sweetly Elfe looked up
again into his face.
81 am glad you comprehend why
have not seen more Of yOu," she said
with delightful frankness 81 can
never tell you how much | have priced
your acquaintance.
"Many thanks for the assurance, Elho
| be anne quite intimate with your
parents very soon after my first visit to
Ingleheim, and | cannot err in saying
that they valued ana esteemed mo as
highly as did them. "
allow often they have said as much, "
exclaimed Ellie. al shall never forget
how warmly mamma spoke of you the
day before she died, and how grateful
she was for your last visit. For myself,
how can ever forget what conSola-
ton it was to me to see you at the
funeral? Your kindness and sympathy
on that occasion went to my heart.
81 am glad of that, Ellie" returned
Perry. "for it was from my heart that
they came As to what has since taken
place. our mutual friend, Mr. Bush, the
house agent, has kept me posted. lie
wrote me Yesterday that you would call
upon your uncle to day, or l should
have come to Inglel elm to see you. "
Elfe bowed grateful y, her eyes shin
ing like sta.s through mist of tears.
81 hope YOU rcali e, EIfe, how often
have been in Ingleheim and how much
have strolled around its hills and val
leys with your father, and especially
how much admired and loved him AZ
An outcome of that friendship, | have
now some very important and surprising
facts to communicate to you. II yol
will step into JackSOn's, a popular
restaurant for ladies and gentlemen IN
the next block, we'll cal for few re-
freshMcnts and III tel you a number OF
things want you to know
Certainly" returned Ellie.
Little more was said until they haC
seated themselves in the restaurant IL
question and given their orders, ant
then Perry resumed'
"About ten years ago your Uncle
Hiram visited your parents at Ing O
helm and it was on that occasion TIA
vour father and unc'e sent ten Thousand
dollars to Montana to your uncle Jerry
I'm consequence of tho latter'S represen
tations. to invest in wild lands on th'
Musselshcll River.
81 remember the transaction" re
turnel Ellie 81 also remember tina
Uncle Jcrry's investment turned out {
. very poor one"
so he reported, Elfc," pursued Wy
mans, "but | at length became suspicious
that he was not acting in good faith
This suspicion eventually became 81
strong that availed myself OF sum
mer vacation to pay a secret visit TO tho
Mu selShell about three years ago, an(
with the most astonishing results. No
TO k ep you in suspense, 1 hasten to say
that 'Unc,e Jerry ha been lying from
the very date of the purchase. The
lands were we'll worth al they cost, j
only as a range for cattle. But gold haC
baan found on them in laying quaint
ties, and certain old prOspe tors prOphe
sled gr at discoveries. l came back will
the iGca that the prOpc ty was far more
valuable t an uncle Jerry pretended
and | st no time in buying it. "
"Did father know, whel he sod yor
his half-inter st, all you had learned
bv ycur secret visit to Montana?" aske'
Llfe.
@He did" replied Perry. "He was m
friend. and | was obliged to tell him
He conf rehended perfectly what he wa
selling. Relizing that he was stricke
with death, and that your uncles woul
not hesitate to rob you, Ellie, and know
ing that it takes a strong hand to hol
tts own in the widS of Montana, h
decided me the lands, with the under
standing that | would hOld them as
sacred trust for you, and that you Shoul
eLsrn with me any cd which Nigh
come of them"
~Rut Won didn't tell Uncle Hiram
certainly not" answered Perry ="
was under no Obligations to 90 so.