Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-11-13

should have found ecme more delicate
way.
In his delight at the idea he had cen
ceiSed he wanted to write to her at once
and ask her if size would come. Bot he
decided to wait until things were mere
settled in relation to the financial stand
ing of the store. 'Lisbeth refused to take
any step whatever Until the books were
examined and they knew just where they
stood. Alec was impatient with her and
scolded her a little, but she remained
stolidly obstinate.
In his mind he laid out his career. He
would work hard in the store this win
ter and get the trade that now went to
neighborirg towns and villages. With
the money saved he would improve the
tavern and provide suitable accommoda-
lions for summer boarders. Perhaps
some time great hotel might stand on
the spot of this old store.
George came over the Eext evening
| and reported the results of his visit to
Pavonia. He said it would take several
| weeks for the probate court to move. and
he brought forms for 'Lisbeth and Mrs.
Higgins to sign, petitioling for the ap-
| pointment CT himself as executor. He
thought there would be no trouble, how
| ever, and he advised that Mr.. Higgins
books and papers be thoroughly ex-
| aInined at once, and after that the bust
| ness be carried On as seemed best, with
out waiting for legal forrnalities. What
ever was done could be legalized after
| ward.
1 thnt I,.s
examination Of the condition OF affairs
was the first great thing. for she want
ed to know jGzt how much CT little
money there was. II there was little.
she didn't want to waste any of IL by
| spending il at first rs If il were much,
and if there was more than they expect
ed it would be relief to her mind at
least to know it.
The next morning George Marston
came over early. and Alec shat the front
door, pinning M q s,alf sheet of note pa
per, with the woios written: CLOSED
for examination. Open IL to - The
opening of an hour was fer the mail.
'Lisbeth decided to serve the family
with cold meals and give her whole at
tention to this business. All the books
of the store We're spread out on the
counter, and 'Lis5etii brought the little
tin trunk that held Mr. Higgins most
private papers. The OLD deal desk he
wrote on, which was built upon the end
Of the counter Eext the postoifice boxes
was emptied of its contents, most mis-
cellaneous mass of papers. and then the
work of sorting, calculating and reckon
i inc 6v~o n
deed of some land in Dakota that might
or might not be valuable, but it proved
to be mortgaged for nearly as much as
it cost. There was deed of the lot in
the cemetery where the owner now lay
buried, and that was all the real estate
he seemed to possess. There was a rec
ord of 500 deposited in savings bank
in the name of 'Lisbeth, which he had
evidently provided for the emergency of
his death. Then there was the store
business. Mr.. Higgins had kept small
bank account, and there seemed to be a
little over 500 now on deposit, but
nearly the whole Of it was owing to the
wholesale dealers from whom he bought
his stock. There was a mass Of bad
debts owing from the country people fer
groceries sold on account, but George
Marston knew very few collections conld
be made. The quarters rent of $40 was
J overdue, and the only provision for its
payment seemed to be the deposit in the
savings bank. Evidently all that was
left to the family was the depleted
stock of the store and the good will Of
the business, which might together be
l OF T.
that sum ought to be spent at once tc
put the business in good shape. The &C.
, eounts showed that it had psid 800 20
81. 900 year net profit.
They did not finish the examination
, till late that night. but fo- scr.e hours
the approximate Outcome was apparent.
. About o o'clock George Narston, after
whispering to Alec that he was willing
, to advance 500 if 'Lisbeth would ac-
cept it, went horne on foot with scarce
" any other goodby. Alec was disap-
pointed, for he fancied he saw all his
, dreams fading. Certainly his plans
would have TO be readjlsted. 'Lisbeth
, was simply stolid, and said it was abou;
{ what she expected. After George was
. gone she left the store, and Alec shu,
up the blinds and locked the outer door.
. When he cane into tie dining room, she
took up a small oil lamp and said she
[ was going TO bed. 'Lisbeth had told
, Mrs. Higgins the result and she had al
, ready gone, muttering to herself that
/ Joe never was a coed manager.
The next morning after breakfast Ale
. decided that tine first thing that ought Il
9 be done was to circulate a petition .d
? dressed to the Postmaster general, ask
ing for the appointment of 'Lisbeth n
= postmistress. He told 'Lisbeth what b,
was going 20 do ard asked her to lool
after the store while he took il arouuC
to various influential persons.
p The first man he went to was Jonathan
a Finchley, who erumbled at being asked
q to sign petition against his own politi
cal party.
but 'Lisbeth is strictly nonpartissn, :
1 said Alec.
! II suppose we'll have to say co." h
, answered. IF my conscience rebuke
!. me for the act, I'll say that"
). OF course all the members Of Mr.