The Bourbon news., 1897-01-15

John Kenyon walked back to his hotel
more suspicious than ever. He wrote n
letter to Wentworth detailing the con-
versation, telling him. Melville had
sailed for home and advising him to
see that gentleman. He stayed in New
York that night and took the morning
train to Montreal. In due time he ar
rived at Ottawa and called on Won Brent.
He found that gentleman in his cham
bers, looking as if he had never left the
room since the option was signed. Won
Brent at first did not recognize his visit
or, but, after gazing moment at him,
he sprang from his chair and held out
his hand.
81 really did not know you," he said:
''you have changed a great deal since
1 saw you last. You look haggard and
not at all well. What is the matter with
you?"
81 do not think anything is the mat
ter. I am in very good health, thank
you. I have had few bushes worries,
that is all.''
"Ah, yes!" said Ven Brent. 81 am
very sorry, indeed, you failed to form
your campany."
''Failed!" echoed Kenyon.
Eyes; you haven't succeeded, have
you?"
"Well, don't know about that; we
are in fair way to succeed. You met
Longworth and Melville, who came out
to see the mine. I saw Longworth in
T. Ill L0l fo1>
them out there"
"Are they interested with you in the
mine?"
Certainly; they are helping me TO
form the company.
Won Brent seemed amazed. 81 did not
understand that at all. In fact, un-
derstood the exact opposite. thought
you had attempted to form company
and failed. They showed me an attack
in one of the financial papers upon you,
and said that killed your chances of
| forming a company in London. They
were here, apparently, on their own
| business
"And what was their business?"
''To buy the mine"
| nave IL!
practically, yes. Of course, while
your option holds good cannot sell it,
but that, as you know, expires in very
few days"
| Kenyon, finding his worst suspicion
realized, seemed speechless with amaze
ment, and, in his agony, mopped from
his brow the drops collected there.
| 4o1 1o c+o chol Of 4 |, &c,
said Won Brent.
81 am very much astonished."
"Well, you cannot blame me. 1 have
acted perfectly square in the matter
/ had no idea Longworth and the gen
tleman who was with him had any con-
nection with you whatever. Their at
tention had been drawn to the mine, they
said, by that article. They had in.
vestigated it, and appeared to be salts
! fed there was something in it-in the
mine, 1 mean, not in the article. They
said they had attended a meeting which
you had called, but it was quite evident
you were not going to be able to form
the company. So they came here anC
made me a cash offer for the mine
They have deposited 6 10000 at the banl
here, and, on the day your option closes
they will give me check for the
amount"
SERVES me right" said Kenyon. So
have been cheated and duped. I haG
grave suspicious of it all along, but
did not act upon them. have been toe
timorous and cowardly. This mar
Longworth has made pretense of help
ing me to form a company. Everything
he has done has been to delay me. HI
came out here apparently in the interes-
of the company was forming, and nov
he has got the option for himself
Eyes, he has," said Won Brent. 8
may say am very sorry indeed for tht
turn affairs have taken. Of course, a:
L have told you, had no idea how the
land lay. You see you had placed NJ
deposit with me, and [ had to look afteI
my own interests. However, the option
is open for a few days more, and viii
last minute of the time has expired
Isn't there any chance Of your gettin!
the money before then?''
Not the slightest"
''Weli, you see, in that case l canno
help myself. L am bound by lega
document to turn the mine over to then
on receipt of the 10000 the momen
your option is ended. Everything i
done legally, and L am perfectly help
less in the matter
Eyes, I see that" said John. Good
by" He went to the telegraph offic
and sent cablegram.
Wentworth received the dispatch i
London the next morning. 1t read
I'VE are cheated. Longworth has tn
option on the mine in his own name"
: CHAPTER XXI.
: When George Wen tNYOn.th h received thi