Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1897-09-29
NVIu.-CoxrINUED.

''~N a. StNu JOKE OF yours. WI ! nOin-
dyke" he said. with an unpleasant
smile. "of course you know that the
original value of the land was next 10
nothing"
Il don't care 10 argue that point or
any other. The question between Us il
simply this; will YOU pay me 100000.
or shall give you in charge for forg-
cry?'
While Thorndyke was speaking.
Sharplcss was swaying gently back and
forth in the pivot-chair. with his right
arm lying upon the desk. In the little
interval of silence that followed. tn.
fingers of the idle hand sought the knob
of Il small drawer under the pigeon.
holes. When he began 10 speak the
law ers voice was smooth and passion
less. Let uS assume. for the sake OF
example, that what YOU say of Us -
true; that we are the INSCRIPTIONS viii
lains that your indictment preSup-
poses" The hand on the desk was me-
chemically opening and closing the
drawer and Philip saw a CLINT o.
nfckcl-plating among the papers. AS
Stunning this. doesn't il strike YOU that
you are little rash in coming here to
threaten u.s. The idling hand dropped
carelessly into the open drawer and las
quiesccnt.
Philip ignored the hypothetical
menace, and kept his eyes fixed upon
the motionlesS hand.
violence is always dangerous
weapon. Mr.. Sharpless." hr said. quiet.
ly. and you will agree with me tina;
when il becomes necessary TO emplov
atnf ss,,r -.
deprecated. III trouble YOU to clos,
that drawer"
In the duel OF words SharplcsS had
been reflcctivcly measuring the Dis
tance between himself and the coa;-
pocket into which Philip had slipped
his hand at the beginning of the inter
view. The deductions were evidently
upon the side of prudence. for he shut
the drawer with "a snapand turnednwa
from the desk
Going back TO the original question
your demand is unreasonable: and II
~ were not. there * not such an
amount as you name in all the banks
in the city
probably not: and. in any event.
should prefer your draft ON New York.
secured 10y mortgage on all the prop.
erty OF the company in Chilmath
county"
'Oh. you would?" Sharpless was los.
ing ms self-control. perhaps Won
think own the property in fee simple.
You ought 10 know, If YOU know any
hing at all. that | should have To sub
init the matter 10 our New YorI, Of
ficers."
Knowing that he had the sword in
Philip could not refrain from tvis,iug
IL n little i'm the wound. From ma,
point of view. hat would seem 10 he.
the last thing you'd care 10 do. You
could scarcely afford to give the facts
IN the case YOU know. and | don't sec
how anything else would answer HWY
ever that is all beside the mark. know
'hat you have the authority TO &ien
papers and To transfer property he
looked az his watch-'my time is lin
ted, gentlemcu: which is it 10 bc. nm
amIcable settlement or-lct us not
m-nce matters-thc Chain gang"
For the first time during the inter
view Fench reused HIMSELF to spcol;
For Gods sake. Sharpless. don't trifc
with him: give him what he wants"
None the less. Sharpless fought des
perately. contesting every inch of
ground. II would take time 10 draw,
mp the papers; ne must at least bc al
lowed 10 telegraph New Norl: he had
no idea that his draft would L.. honorel
without explanations. To all Of which
Philip turned a deaf ear and pointed
iDeNorably to the alternative. He must
have the draft and the security. or the
law should be allowed 20 take It's
course. When IL finally came down 10
mere question OF the time required
for the preparation VI the papers
Philip produced q draft and mortrac.
ready for signature. together with .
9uit-claim deed signed by himsc,; a.
attorney in fact for John Kilgrow
"Nou have a notary within call he
said; have him come in and witnes,
your signatures"
The managers clerk was summoned
and when Fench had written his mann.
with trembling fingers under th-
scrawliDg signature Of the attorney.
the clerk filed out The aftcstatiou. and
the mortgage ard the draft were hand.
ed TO Thorndy lie. SharpleSe dismissed
the young man CURLY when his duty
was performed and turned irascibl.
upon his successful opponent
you viii remembcr that this was
your own proposition" he said. augri-
iy: ~ give YOU fair warning that you'u
have trouble with Inc matter vet he
fore you're through with H.. Vow give
me that paper that you've made 80
much Of"
" was rush speech. and II lawyer
Sharpless had not parted with all his
reserves Of shrcwdpe.s he would ncvc..
have uttered IL. Philip calmly ignored
the demand and answered the threat
81 shall look 10 YOU 10 smooth away
all difficulties" he said. rising aud taxi
ing up his crutches. "Ou the da,. YOUR
draft is honorcd will release tine mort
gage aud mail Won The forged deed
and not moment sooner.
Five minutes Jftcrward hr was mai
ing his way across the crowded street
10 where Prothcroc stood with two
saddled horses.
It's done lie said briefly. while tho .
engineer was helping him 10 mount
lets yet IN the courthouse as quicl, +
rs we can. / Shau'f l,c ablf. L., I,reaff,. D