Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-07-19

The assurance served to intensity the
two red spots which had been rapidly
gathering on the checks of Hiram Skid
der How angry he wdS that the false
hoods of jerry had induced him to part
with his interest in property now
shown by the offenders own actions to
be running up into hundreds OF thou
sands,
"You have it, sure enough" he ad-
mittcd, after q rapid glance at the
money, S1hd the grand question now
is, how did you come by it?" .
"Stock-raising, MISUNDERSTANDING"
The sneer with which the merchant
received this statement was simply saw
hga =,
"So much the more reason why l
should 90 to Montana before giving you
the deed" he declared. 81 can become
q stock raiser, too"
He took two or three turns across the
floor and then resumed:
81 was On y joking in what [ said about
selling. I've no intention of dsposlng
of the property-not the slightest. NO
offer can tempt me-"
This dec aration Worried Jerry Skid
dor quite as much as a similar one from
Wynans had previously worried tho
merchant.
"What! You're going back on your
word" he protested, after long stare
of anger and CONSERVATION: II 0nght
not to say word more on the subject
But l told Daisy she should have the
land for wedding present, and I'm
willing on that and other accounts to
give YOU ten or twenty times what it is
worth, the more especially as I've just
sold twenty thousand cattle and don
know what to do with the money. What
will you take, Iiiram?"
"Once for adj, isn't it?
ayes, final O4er.
"Cash down, tOO?"
ayes, cash down, Hiram"
"Wel, you may have my interest IN
that Musselshell property for 5000, co.,
"All right; I'll take it," said jerry,
without an instants hesitation, produc-
ing second wad of green6acks like tho
first "Give me the deed and Pll hand
you the money"
For nearly minuto Hiram Skldder
looked as if threatened with stroke Of
apoplexy His eyes had CLASSY stare;
MS tongue IUy UlObiOHtCSo III ITO OHSH
mouth. The veins on his forehead stood
out like skeleton fingers. The thought
that his brother had taken all this money
secretly from the lands which had been
so persistently deCried and which had
now teen so fatally foo.ed away by
Jcrry's falsehOOd, was simply witherng.
But he MANAGED to conceal in part the
tempest raging in his soul, and to re-
mark, with forced calmness:
all get the deed, Jerry, and let my
cashier draw up new one. Make
Yourself at home few moments I'll
be back soon"
Wiping his damp brow vigorously, he
took his way toward Perry's desk
His senses were in whirl. Just what
to do he didn't know. Perhaps he would
make another attCmpt to buy Perry out
He was busy with all sorts of desperate
schemes for re Overing his lost footing
when lie reached Perry's desk, only to
find that he was not there,
"Whcre is Mr. Wynans?" he asked Ci
the first clerk he encountered.
Gle went out little while ago, sir, "
was the answer, "but he didn't say
where he was going or when he would
return"
"No? That's odd Have you any idea
whore he is?"
"Not the slightest, sir. He said, how
ever, this morning that he should lot be
here longer than to-day"
"Not longer"
The words died away upon the lips OF
Hiram SkidJer, and an awful trouble
led from his eyes.
"Gonc?" he gasped "Wherc can he
be?"
"Thercs q note on his desk ad lressed
to Won, Mr.. Skidder." said the clerk. 81
noticed it momentago and should have
brought it to you if YOU hadn't made
your appearance just as you did"
"a motel" or ed the merchant; "lct ne
have it instantly"
The note was handed to him, and he
hastily t re it open, reading as follows;
| beg to resi2n my position as cashier,
Mr. Slidder l have taken the precautlon
TO have my accounts examined by Mr.
SpCor, the well-lnown accountant, and he
finds then quite correct The balance OF
my salary you may hand TO any public char
ity. If any one inquiries for me, you may
say that l am going to Montana to take
care of my wild lands, which have become
| immensely valuable. and that my future
postofficc address will be Musselshell, Mont
PERRY WYNANs.