The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-05-14

him nothing more than the sympathy
which she might well have poured into
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 ardor
had been steadily waning since that
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 in
their relations was inevitable; that
the candle which may suffice to light
the fires of enthusiasm is still candle
after enthusiasm has become devour-
ing confagration. Still less could he
grasp the fact that the change was
chiefly in himself; that with new am
bitions 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 q keener desperation
than ever before into the quest which
had become the imperative motive OF
his existence.
Dismounting ut the steps of the hotel,
he met Protheroe.
Have you seen Sharpless? ?" the en-
gineer asked.
NO"
"He is looking for you; 1 believe he
left note inside''
what does he want?"
81 don't know. He had his judicial
scowl on, which is a polite way of say
ing that he looked ugly"
Philip intimated that Lawyer Sharp
less moods and lenses were of the least
possible consequence.
81 know" Protheroe said. Hes one
of my employers, but that's no reason
why | shouldn't tell you to look out for
him. I've known him ever since the in
cubation of this tinsel city, and he's
bad lot. l don't pretend to guess at
what you've been working on all sum-
mer, but if your scheme includes
Sharpless, either as partner or COM
petitor, he'll bear watching-and not
less in one case than in the other"
THANK you," said Philip, going in to
get the note. 1t was brief and per-
emptory:
"Dear Sr,"-it ran-"You will consult
your own interests by comforting with me al
once. Come to my office, or let me know
when and where I can meet you.
III. G. SHARPLESS."
Thorndyke put the note into his
pocket and went out to think about it
lie had been reasonably certain for
some time that Fench and Sharpless
were quite well informed as to his
movements and their object, and he
had been expecting some attempt at
bribery or intimidation. That it had
not come sooner he attributed to their
knowledge of his lack of evidence.
They know well enough that 1 have no
case" he said, turning out of the busy
street and walking aimlessly toward
the old town. "And, yet, that reason is
rs good as it ever was. Curse his impu-
dence. He knows 1 can't get hold of
a shred of proof, and he means to bully
me. If could only find that deed!"
He left the sidewalk and picked his
way around heap of obstructions left
by the builders in front of the new
courthouse. Chilmath county, aug
mented by the thriving city, had voted
to abandon the weather-worn building
in the old town, and new courthouse
imposing in pressed brick and stucco
,.:ror,ipnc b,6 risap 30 DIdlv uDoD Tho
square of land, well within the limits
Of the new Allacoochee, which had
been donated by the town company.
It was characteristic of the time and
place that the county officers were mov-
ing into the new building while the
painters and decorators were still at
work, and Philip crossed the street to
get out of the way of a van-load of fur
niture which the driver was vainly at
tempting to back over pile of debris
IN front of the entrance. Farther down
the street, Philip met another load, and
at the foot of the cascade of steps flow
ing down from the porch of the old
courthouse he found third van into
which gang of negro workmen were
loading the furniture of Judge Wilkin-
sons Office.
During many of the days spent in
canvassing the town for possible
clews, Philip had haunted the court
house; and more from force of habit
than for any other reason he climbed
the steps and strolled into the room
which had been the office of the judge
of probate. The place was bare and va
cant; the counter where he had so often
pored over the books of record was
gone; and the floor was covered with
a litter of waste paper which rustled
under his feet like the autumn leaves in
a forest. When he entered the negroes
holes from the place against the wall,
and Philip smiled at the prompt ce-
lerity with which they put it down at
the sound of the noon whistles. Before
the echoes of the blasts had died away
they were all gone save one, grizzled
old uncle who had brought his dinner,
and who sat down on the floor in a cor
ner of the room to eat it.
Philip gazed abstractedly at the
heavy piece of furniture, which was all
that remained of the Office fittings, un
til he suddenly remembered that it had
been the receptacle for recorded deeds;
then it occurred to him that here was
the last traceable point in the history of
the missing document. Each pigeon
hole contained drawer on which was
painted a letter of the alphabet, and