The Holly chieftain., 1897-11-19

uooEy SIIFpleSS cuGIcu Oy u0OVner and
sat down in the chair lately occupied
by the last visitor.
"Shut of that hungry crowd for
few minutes, Fcnch, and I'll go over
these papers with you," he said.
Fench touched the electric button ON
his desk, and when the clerk answered
the bell he gave the order to admit no
one till further notice. snow, then, I'm
ready for you"
well, about this Woodenwarc COM
pany; they're all right, They'll bring
their own operatives, and they agree to
build tenements on the block next to
their factory, selling them to their men
on the installment plan. The sawmill
people you know about. They'll take
Town company's stock and pay for it
half cash and hnlf lumber. This fire.
brick fellow wants to know il we own
the furnace and rolling mill plants; and
If we'll agrce to give him monopoly
on the brick needed by US. told him
we would, II he would take Block 3 at
our figures, paying half cash; brick to
be taken on same basis md to be
furnished when ordered"
That's n 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 man down
here to look over the situation, and I've
had dozen interviews with him. First
he made me go to the courthouse and
overhaul the records. Then he wanted
tosee thedeeds. 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 him minute
If wasn't sure that Edgeley has plenty
of money"
Wanted to see the deeds, did he?"
said Fench, thoughtfully. ID you
know, Sharpless, Pve been sorry u dozen
times you burned that deed. 1t would
have been as good as any to show; and
I've wanted it 20 times If I have once"
"But you've got Gates deed to U.S."
II thought had, but haven't"
what have you done with it?"
II don't think I've ever had it. The
last l remember Of 1t was that night
when you put it in your pocket and said
you'd have it recorded with the other"
Look in your safe" said Sharpless,
"and I'll go through my papers,
He was back in ten minutes without
the missing document. ibid you find
it?" he asked.
NO"
Then it's gone"
'.Well. it don't matter much, except,
as say, they'd be handy to show.
They're both recorded"
Yes, they're recorded all right, but"
-Sharpiess paused and knitted his
brows at the small bisque figure hold
ing the matches on Fench's desk.
But what?'
"Have you heard the talk about Kill
grow?"
'who, the dead man? No; what
about hirn?"
''They say he isn't dead-that he's
been seen on the mountain; comes and
perches himself up on that crag they
call Eagle Cliff to watch the improve
ments we're making on his farm"
"The devil you say!" Mr.. Fcnch came
out of his chair with u jerk and began
to walk the Roor nervously. The cooler
headed lawyer smiled and waited.
Fench trnmpcd himself into pcrspira-
ton, and then sat down again with a
groan.
"We'rc done up. Sharplcss-done up
slick and clean. That man can send us
both over the road whenever he gets
good and ready
The attorney seemed to be enjoying
the discontinue of the manager. The
incident threw q sidelight on Fench's
character that was Instructive; it cx-
posed the shoddy warp that was usually
hidden under the wool of impudence.
Sharpless knew then that II there were
any fighting TO Be done he would have
to do it himeelf, and there was coll
temptuous emphasis in his reply:
THAT'S as you like. He'll fight for
what he gets, can tell you that; only
wish we had that deed"
Fench swore quavering oath, which
was, nevertheless, broad enough to
cover the whole transaction and every
one connected with 1t. II don't see how
that could make any difference. tell
you, we're done up, Sharpless.'
ut will make just this difference-if
we had that deed with Cates' signature
we mightstand some chance of pleading
as innocent purchasers. and Gates would
make first-class scapegoat. AS it is.
there arc some people who might be
mean enough to hint TINT we made our
title out of whole cloth. However,
that's oil beside the mark. This old
fellow must be at least 65 or 10; he's
an outlaw, and he's only one ignorant
man against the whole syndicate. II
we can't hold our own we deserve to go
to the WALL
what are you going to do nbout 1t ?"
"Run him out Of the country again,
If can; get somebody to give him a
hint that Uncle Sans men would like
TO interview him."
.Who knows him9'
"Plenty of people among the natives.
but I think he can be reached quickest
through the old Scotchman up on the
Little Chiwassee-whnt's his name?
Duncan-Jamie Duncan"
Sharpless rose to 60 back to his own
room, and Fench called to him ns he
reached the door:
Say, Sharpless. you know I never
would have touched this damned thing
with ten-foot pole IL you hadn't made
me believe tho man was dead. Now
you've got to stand by me; are you sure
YOU burned thax--fhAf deed we rnndep