The Delta independent., 1897-02-03

That's good, careful provision"
Fench broke in, Especially as the NOR
tar isn't dry on the first set Of Innings
yet. Go on"
''Then here's Edgeley, the cutlery
man. I've been having the DEVILS own
time with him. He sent q man down
here to look over the situation, and I've
had a dozen interviews with him. First
he made me go to the courthouse and
overhaul the records. Then he wanted
tosee the deeds. tried to switch him OF
of the Gates tract to location farther
down the river. but he wouldn't have
that. wouldn't fool with hin. a minute
if wasn't sure that Edgeley has plenty
of money"
WANTED to see the deeds, did he?"
said Fench, thoughtfully. "D' yen
know, Sharpless, I've been sorry dozen
times you burned that deed. 1t would
have been as good as any to show; anu
I've wanted it 20 times if have once"
But you've got Gates deed 10 u.s."
II thought had, but haven't"
'What have you done with it?"
81 dent think I've ever had it. The
last / remember of it was that night
when you put it in your pocket ard said
you'd have it recorded with tie other"
Look in your SAFE" said Sharpless,
''and I'll go through my papers"
He was lack in ten minutes without
the missing document. Did you find
it?' he asked. .-,
"No,"
'Tben it's gone"
"Well, it don't matter much. except,
as I say, they'd be handy to show.
They're both recorded"
'Ycs, they're recorded all right, but"
-Sharpless paused and knitted his
brows at the small bisque figure hold
ing the matches on Fcnch's desk.
But what?"
"Have you heard the talk about Kill
grow?"
"who. the dead man? No; what
about him?"
They say he isn't dead--thnt he's
been seen on the mountain; comes and
perches himself up on that crag they
cell Eagle Clir to watch the improve
ments we're making on his farm"
1.-THE devil you say!" Mr.. Fench came
out Of his chair with q jerk and began
to walk the floor rnervously. The cooler
headed lawyer smiled and waited.
Fench tramped himself into per.pira-
tion, and then cat down again with q
groan.
"We'rc done Up, Sharpless-doneu up
slick and clean. That man can send us
10th over the road whenever he gets
good and ready"
The attorney seemed to be enjoying
the discontinue of the manager. The
incident threw sidelight on Fench's
character that was Instructive; it ex-
posed the shoddy warp that was usually
hidden under the woof of impudence.
Sharpless knew then that IL there were
any fighting to be done he would have
to do it himself, and there was a con-
temptucus emphasis in his reply:
That's as you Ike. He'll fight for
what he gets, can tell you that; only
I wish we had that deed"
Fench swore quavering octh, which
was, nevertheless. broad enough to
cover the whole transaction and every
one connected with IL. 81 don't see how
that could make any difference. 1 tell
you. we're done up, Sharpless."
1T will make just this differcnce-if
we had that deed with Gates signature
we mightctand some chance of pleading
an innocent purchasers. and Gates would
make frst-class scapcgoat- As IL is,
there are some people who might be
mean enough TO hint that we made our
title out of whole cloth. However.
that's all beside the mark. This old
fellow must be at least 6s or 20; he's
nm outlaw. and he's only one ignorant
man against the whole syndicate. II
we can't hold our own we deserve 70 go
to the wall"
what are you going TO do about it7"
Run him out of the country again,
IL I can; get somebody TO give him O
hint that Uncle Sans mcn would like
to interview him"
"Who knows him?"
"Plcnty of people among the natives.
but think he can be reached quickest
through the old Scotchman up on the
Little Chiwassee-what's his name?
Duncan-Jamie Duncan"
Sharpless rose 10 go back to his own
room, and Fench called 70 him - h
reached the door:
Say. Shsrplcss. you know never
would have touched this damned thing
with . ten-foot pole IL you badn's made
me believe tho man was dead. Now
you've got TO stand by me; are you sure
you burned that-that deed we made?
sure you didn't make . mistake and
burn the wrong one?-
The lawyer glanced back st his abject
fellow conspirator with frown of i'm
patience. "Fench. you make me tired.
Do you suppose I'd be fool eaough 70
sske any chancesf"
ny What means The sttorney carried
out his threat Of intiDidation 10 one
but those most searly Conserved knew.
bot there wss - more talk Of the seE-
tinel on Eagle CliR sad sAe gossips of