The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1897-06-12
A CASE IN EQUITY.
BY FRANCIS LYNDE.
copyright. ,sqs. by }. B. Lppneou Col

lenge. The chase was short and vigor-
Gus, and when it was ended the process
of forgiveness appeared to be some
what abstruse and complicated, judg-
ing from the time which elapsed before
the young man and the maiden present
ed themselves in the cave of the noun
taineer.
Kilgrow took the news of his good
fortune with serene complacency
born of happy ignorance of money
values.
"Thess SOS t they-all II femme alone,
is all keer," he said, and they had some
trouble in making him understand that
his presence was needed at the farm
house. Loving and trusting Elsie, he
went willingly when he understood
what was wanted of him; and on the
way back to the valley he was mindful
enough of his own long-buried youth
TO keep well out of earshot Of the two
young people, to whom the return jour
ney was only too short.
The afternoon sun was shining slant
wise over the neck of the Bull when
they reached the house, and after the
reticent and embarrassed mountaineer
had run the gauntlet of congratula-
ton Thorndyke took him up to the
attic bedroom.
"You understand that I'll have to 60
to New York to collect this money" he
began, when he was alone with his
client. "What am l to do with it, and
how much shall l keep out for my fee?"
A smile of child-lilxe surprise flick
cred for moment on the withered face
Of the old man. Fer you-uns' pay?--
I thort I done tol' We bout that thar,
long back yondcr at the fust. flowed
to you-uns then that eff so be We cd raise
me $4,000 out'n hit"
"But that's sheer nonsense, you
know" protested Philip. 81 should be
treating you worse than the others to
take such an advantage"
"Barg'in's barg'in," insisted Kill
grow, firmly.
at wasn't a bargain, but I'll tell you
what l will agree to; I'll divide this
money equally with you"
"How much d We reckon that d be?"
FIFTY thousand dollars apiece"
The sum was still too large to be COM
prehensible to Kilgrow, and Philip
sought to help him. "If you put your
share into government bonds, the in
terest would be about $1,000 a year"
The Oldham satin perplexed silence re-
volving his hat slowly in his thin hands.
81 reckon I cayn't figure hit out eff
try" he said, after a little. 81 visit
you-uns d do whatsomever We thinks
right weth hit"
"Pll invest it for you, if you like, and
the interest can be sent to Duncan"
81 reckon that'll be all right Kill
grow rose and moved toward the door,
stopping on the threshold to ask q
question that troubled him more than
the disposition of his newly-acquired
fortune. "Ye reckon them fellers is
plum shore t femme alone, now, air
YEP"
"Why, certainly The things done
and settled, and they've no more reason
to prosecute you now than if you'd
never owned the land"
THANK ye; that's what keer fer
more'n the money. d. we low yen put
hit in them thar bon's?"
THAT will be the safest Investment
for you"
There was another pause and more
searching for the few common factors
of speech. I'm gettin' sort O tol'able
OIL, these days, an they amt nobody ter
come after me; reckon they amt no
way We cd fix hit so't the little gal
mought git hit wen I'm th'oo weth
hit?"
Y "You mean Duncan's daughter?"
Kilgrow nodded
"Why, yes; I can buy the bonds in
her name, if you wish"
THANK We; that thar's what rs pint.
in at" He nodded gravely and left the
room, coming back again presently TO
hold out his hand across the table to
Philip. 81 cayn't jaw much-you-uns
done foun' that out fore now-bnt l
reckon you-uns kin sort O. lay hit out
in you-uns' min what-all I'd say eff on Y
thess knowed how. faint many of
'em d "a TUX up fer pore OF to'n-up
wildcatter nohow."
Philip grasped the extended hand and
wrung it heartily. Don't say word,
Mr.. Kilgrow; the obligation is all on
my side: should be poor man to-day
if hadn't won for you. And, besides,
you know I'm young lawyer and this
is my first case; l ought to thank you
for giving it to me. And l do-Gol
bless you'll"
Kilgrow was hardly out of the room
when Protheroe tapped at the door and
entered without waiting to be asked
81 beg your pardon if 1 intrude," he
said, bluntly, "but I've got to have a
word with you before you go down.
l suppose you'll think I'm cursed cad,
after all, but can't help it if you do
I've asked Elsie to marry me, and she
says she will"
He thought he he'd prepared himself
for anything that Thorndyke could pos
sibly say or do, but the forearming
had been altogether on the side of resis.
lance, and Philips enthusiastic out
burst of hilarious approval left him
quite helpless.
"By Jove, old man. that was the only
thing that was needed to make this the
happiest day of my life!"-Thorn'
dyke wOs wringing his hand till il