The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-03-19
A CASE IN EQUITY
ars,yhras. .ses. " ,. .. hpp'eesx cd
ny FRANCIS LYNDR.

Dpyn10ts tD0Ss " - ~ =
said the solicitor, there Mould DC H,u
ey enough to satisfy the depositors al;
other creditors. with possibly a smai
dividend for the stockholders. AS To
the latter, however, the colonel init
mated that Philip would do we'll to
leave it out of his plans for the future;
In the meantime, and for preseRt.neces-
sites there were a few hundred dollar
which he, the colonel, had taken t.
liberty TO transfer from Hallam's to
his own bank out of the last seminar
nual dividend, which sum was subject
to Philips order.
The same mail brought letter from
Helen. The securities which had been
set aside for her marriage portion were
still safe, and her letter from begin
ming to end was an urgent appeal to
Philip to divert the settlement to his
mother. Blinded by the dull rage
which lashes out Unfortunately be-
cause its real object is out of reach,
Philip was in no mood to search for af-
lcClIOIdCC SuDllCtlCo III IL lCtl(l w lAlSli
should have stirred his better nature
to it's more hopeful depths. He read it
with unreasoning bitterness; wrote a
formal reply, thanking her for her dis
interestedness, and asking to be re-
leased from an engagement which, in
view of his losses, was no longer sup
portable to him; scrubbed hurried
note to his mother, giving her the
barest outline of what he had done:
and, ordering his horse, galloped off to
Duncan farm to tell Elsie of the new
misfortune.
He got speech with her alone. for
wonder, and she listened and answered
with ready sympathy, concluding by
asking him what he would do.
For the present, and until can get
justice for Kilgrow, just what I've been
doing all summer. After that it will be
for you to say"
Il don't understand" she said, shrink
ing little from the half-menace in his
reply.
Philip was disposed to be perverse,
and the thought came to him quickly
that Helen could not be so obtuse # sll
tried. you ought to know by tn
time he began, his resentment i,-c; -
its way into his voice. "I'll no; .-
though; I'll not say anything -. t.-
cause I'm in no frame of mind 10 i -
ure words with you or anybody. Jnst
the same, you mustn't beCiM ut this
late day to try to elude the fact chat you
are responsible for what 1 en-"
1t was brutal speech, and Thorn
dyke was sorry for it when the ride
back to town gave him time to reflect:
but he had gone to Elsie With liz
thought that she would in sons VS..
make haste to set herself over again.
his troubles, and he was disappo.nt
and irritated because she had give.
him nothing more than the sympathy
which she might well have poured :ntc
the wounds of a father or brother.
Now that the wheels of the RETROSPECT:
i've machinery were set in motion.
Philip told himself that Elsie's artio,
had been steadily waning since thai
day, three months before, when she
had armed and sent him forth to the
battle. 1t was impossible that he
should understand that the change i,
their relations was inevitable: that
the candle which may suffice to l;ght
the fires OF enthusiasm is still candle
after enthusiasm has become devour-
ing conflagration. Still less could he
grasp the fact that the change was
chiefly in himself; that with new am
bltlons and returning health he had
outgrown the need for such ministra-
tons as may save the life of sick man.
On the contrary, he blamed Elsie for
not being what she had never been, save
IN his own imagination; he condemned
Helen for Withholding the affection
which his letters to her had steadily
discouraged; and he ended by throw
ing himself with a keener desperation
than ever before into the quest which
had become the imperative motive of
his existence.
Dismounting at the steps of the hotel.
he met Protheroe.
Have you seen Sharpless? 2" the en-
gineer asked.
NO"
HE is looking for you; believe he
left note inside"
What does he want?"
Il don't know. He had his judicial
scowl on, which is polite way of saw.
ing that he looked ugly"
Philip intimated that Lawyer Sharp
less moods and lenses were of the least
possible consequence.
Il know Protheroe said. "He's one
OF my employers, but that's no reason
why shouldn't tell you to look out for
mm. I've known him ever since the in
cubation of this tinsel city, and he's a
bad lot. 1 don't pretend to guess at
what you've been working on all sum-
mer, but if your scheme includes
either as partner or a COM
petltor, he'll bear watching-apd not
less Ill one case than in the other"
THANK you." said Philip, going in to
get the note. It was brief and nor.
emptory:
Dear Sir, ran-"You will consult
your own interests by comforting with me- AT
once. Come to my office, or let me Know
when and where can meet you.
H. G. SHARPLESS.
Ihorndyke put the note into his
pocket and went out to think aLou-
lie had been reasonably certain Z.
some time that Fench and SIS
were quite well informed as -
movements and their object. ard
lad been expecting some attan1r
bribery or intimidation. That /.
not come sooner he attributed t., ~