The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-05-07

80 shall want little time fos examination of
the title"
and I'll not ask you TO make an excep.
ton in my case. | presume you can
satisfy me as to the soundness of the
title: of course you have an abstract ?"
Fench bounded from his chair with
something that sounded very Ike an
oath. Excuse me, Mr.. Thorndyke, I've
got an engagement at the bank, and
I'll have to turn you over to Mr.. Sharp
less, our attorney. He'll give you all the
points on the-the title, and so FORTH
Just come with me, and I'll introduce
you"
Zone moment" interposed Philip. "1f
we're to do business together, it's only
fair that you should know something
about me. If you'll write or telegraph
to Col. A. NJ. Van Cott, Temple Court,
New York, he will have my banker
wire you"
Quite unnecessary, assure you,"
objected the manager, who none the
less made hasty note of the address.
"And you'll excuse my hurry, won't
you?'-pushing Philip toward the door
of the inner office. Il had plum forgot
my appointment, as our Alabama
friends would say. Mr.. Sharpless. make
you acquainted with Mr.. Thorndyke.
He wants to talk title with you on lots
13 and II, block 49,"
For once in way, Philip regretted
that he could not observe two men at
the same instant. He was sure that the
manager would try to put the lawyer
on his guard, but Sharpless' impassive
face was blandly inscrutable as he rose
and held out his hand. From the fact
that he was Immediately given high
backed chair facing the light of the
window, which made an expressionless
silhouette of the lawyer, Philip argued
that the sign had been passed and un-
derstood; and the suspicion was con-
firmed by the first question he was
called upon to answer.
What makes you think that our title
isn't perfect, Mr.. Thorndyke?"
Il beg your pardon; had raised no
such question. 1t is merely matter of
prudence in a transaction involving so
much money that one should be we'll
assured of his title"
THAT is very true. The lots you
picked out are in tract formerly
known as the Gates farm; you can read
the whole history of the tract in the
records at the courthouse"
'Quite possibly; but one may have
neither the time nor the inclination.
A glance at your abstract would be
quite sufficient for my purpose"
Sharpless swung back in his chair
and slipped his hands into his pockets.
81 wish l could oblige you," he said,
"but infer you've had little to do with
property in Alabama. Such a thing as
an abstract of title is almost unknown
among people who can neither write
their deeds nor read them after they are
written. l began just as you have, and
was glad enough, in the end, to fall
back on the records"
Thorndyke knew this was an answer
that Sharpless would never have made
to another lawyer, since an abstract is
nothing more than circumstaIHial his
tory of any given piece of property
compiled from the records; but he was
too shrewd to betray his profession,
and he made no comment.
II suppose you were able to satisfy
yourself that your titles were all
right?"
Absolutely; we guarantee to de-
fend our purchasers"
"Will you allow me to look at your
deeds for the tract in question:"
81 should be glad to, but can't do
that, either. All the original docu-
ments are on file in the company's office
in New York"
Philip was beaten for moment, but
lie rallied Immediately. "Will you
authorize my solicitor to examine
them?"
Sharpless lost his head at that, and
Thorndyke gained his point. Ser
tainly not; such a proceeding would be
unheard of. Our secretary would
promptly refer the gentleman to me-"
Philip rose and bowed courteously.
I'm sorry we can't arrive at an under
standing; l should like to have those
LOTS
but my dear sir"-Sharpless had
quite recovered his self-control and
was industriously cursing himself for
having made the slip-"can't you see
how unreasonable you are? Don't you
suppose that among our hundreds of
customers there are men who are quite
as careful of their rights as you can be
of yours?"
"And none of them have seen these
deeds?"
Not a man of them, 1 assure you.
Go to any of them, and you'll find that |
they've taken our guarantee in perfect |
good faith"
''To whom would you refer me?"
'To anyone; to the president of the
Chiwassee national bank, if you |
please"
Every well; I'll think the matter
over and see you again. Good morning"
fro BE CONTINUED
In 1888 the pictures of Degas, the i'm
pressionist ''deu on ndraughtsman," were !
sold for S3OI each Now il is imOOSSihla |