The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-02-26
CHAPTER VII-Continued.

SiAi 11lS fll-SoutlnuGu
"Well, replied Mr.. Greenberry,
81 don't like making nominal
grants of that which doesn't exclu-
sively belong to me-and worst of
all, I dislike being privy to perse-
cution, whether just or unjust, and
| can't believe Mr.. Tomlin ever in
tended his estate should extend
into the possessions of either of
these gentlemen"
'Nor |, nor either ever enter
tain for a minute such an idea."
exclaimed Mel, scouting the idea,
as it were, concurring with Mr..
Greenberry, and making light of
the whole matter with a burst of
his proverbial laughter. 81 knew
very we'll that you wouldn't com
ply with such piece Of nonsense;
but we had to humor the old dell.
Ha! ha! ha Shortest mode of
getting clear of her, you under
stand"
"No-it would be a premature
act on my part to hazard the prop
erty of others, that | hold merely
ds guardian, in order to advance
any personal design" +"
"Exactly, exactly, | wholly agree
with you," returned the smooth
tongued Mel, "but we have acted
the farce, so Mr.. Stuyvesant may
return and report to the seat OF
government to their mightiness.
Ha! ha! hal" concluding with a
hearty burst of his accustomed
nerriment, Mel rose to take leave.
Here his companion commenced
rummaging in his capacious hat
crown in business-like manner,
amongst his voluminous manu-
scripts, as if in search of some par
icular one. Producing writ OF
injunction, with his wonted display
If official dignity the little self
important man presented it, with a
'ow, to Mr.. Greenberly, saying
81 am instructed, sir, to make
you acquainted with this decree of
he Court, enjoining you to exer-
'rciSe no undue acts of ownership,
aside from the mere retention of
his landed property in question,
turing the minority of the intended
leiress."
With low bow, as when a hero
as successfully and admirably per-
ormed his part, the official digni-
try, after this formidable display
ability and learning, prepared
or departure.
1t may be imagined what a
hunder-c clap Of surprise this sud
EN- announcement was to Mr..
ireenberry and his wife.
"What means this injunction -
e asked, in amaZement.
But the consequential sheriff re-
.)lied, with grim smile
"The face of the document will
make you acquainted with its con-
cents"
The puzzled Greenberry turned
TO Mel with IA look that spoke
more than words, for an eXplana-
ion of the mystery. Mel, with all
lis tact at assembling, and cool
.ess and skill in conducting a piece
)fdiplomatic knavery, looked guilty
ind crest fallen.
"What means this, Mr.. Riley ?
Do you know alght of this strange
piece of complicated business 2"
inquired Mr.. Greenberry earnestly,
while he kept his piercing eyes riv-
ted with penetrating gaze on the
face of the quailing Mel.
"Well, Mr.. Greenberry," he
commenced, confusedly, "to make
the matter short, / must explain
his business to you, though with
the greatest reluctance / am COM
pelled to reveal some facts to you
which have never come to your
knowledge before. l was in hopes
that you and Mrs. Darby could have
come to quiet adjustment of this
knotty subject, and spared me the
inexpressible pain of being the first
to put you in possession of the facts
concerning the disposal of this es-
tate, in case the heiress intended
should not survive"
And Mel proceeded to narrate
Though protesting a great many
regrets the while) the fabricated
story relating to the property in
case death or accident should debar
its falling into the hands of the
daughter.
"That the girls disappearance
will ever be accounted for, or she
ever recovered" Mel continued,
concluding his story and recovering
his selfpOssession, sis hopeless, and
more's the pity, for that old devil
must, in consequence, fall heir to
the property. But Zounds you can