The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-05-07


she wouldn't chen wipe 'em ON Ben
Topmark.
Rob caught the whisper and flushed
family, drawing trifle behind her
friends. When the three were safely
seated, she let her eyes range the court
room until they fell upon Magnolia
Tubbs sitting between Mrs. Annis and
her son. 1t was her first conscious sight
of the girl in whose behalf her own
right was disputed. Rob had heard
vaguely her story, barely enough to
know that for some reason or for none
the girl was wildly anxious to come into
ready money. She had heard, too, of her
coarse, luxuriant beauty, her passion
for flaming gauds, some hint, too, Of
her abject, doglike devotion to the bru-
tai bully, Noch Annis. So the heiress of
Roscoe had shrewd comprehension of
much that lay under the cards of the
game against herself.
Until today she had felt for the girl
Magnolia sort Of raging contempt. Ig-
norance, she had told herself, could in
nowise excuse dishonesty. The princi-
pies of right were so plain they could
not be befogged unless the eyes were
willfully blind. "And they know, these
people, that their claim is wholly false"
she had said. "Roscoe was lawfully
bought and literally paid for. Some en-
envy, spying out the flaw in our title, a
flaw due mainly to my fathers kindly
justice, has sett them on to make it, that
in the end the spy may profit by it, I
do not name the spy, but think know
very well who he is.
Now, looking across at the other girl,
Rob felt thrill of compassion. Magno.
liza was deadly pale, so pale as to make
CHASTITY the staring blotches Of rouge
upon either cheek. Her frock was of
dark, gay plaid, with many futtering
ends of ribbon and the browning glory
of gorgeous sash, but for all it's splen-
dor the wearer looked drawn and with
cred. Her eyes were followed. Her
stubby fingers worked painfully within
their mail of new kid gloves. Most of
the time she stared straight in front of
her, but now and again she looked il
furtive appeal toward Noch, glowering
beside her in fine, new clothes.
''Poor thing! She is so afraid of that
fellow" Rob said in Mrs. Payne's ear.
"Yet she does not look as though she
were easily made afraid. She loves him,
! think. That is the secret of it. -
"Don't look at her, dear. She-she is
not the sort you should speak about, -
Mrs. Payne said, very low. But Rob did
not take away her eyes. After little
she whispered further:
"Aunty Payne, am sorry for the
poor thing, so sorry that il we had it
would give her the money she wants
just for admitting the truth that our
land is our own. OF course 1 could not
give her Roscoe, not even the tiniest
bit, but-but the hunger in her face,
not physical, but something I can't de-
fine, will haunt me if cannot find out
how to take it away"
Hush, dear!' Mrs. Payne said, press
ing Rob's hand, with a sigh She knew
only too well in what grave peril Of loss
the girl stood. Even now her husband
and other friends were plotting q COM
promise that would leave the McGregors
at least in possession for so long as the
blind man lived.
Rob, of course, knew nothing of that,
though the lawyer had been too kindly
wise to let her underrate the strength of
her opponents 1--WE must fight for de-
lay" he had said, "wear them out. It's
almost our only chance. Your father is
the only person within reach who could
testify to the missing deeds existence
and explain why it is missing. Don't
think / shall let him do it, though. Even
if were so heartless as to undo in
minute all your brave work through
years, it would scarcely be wise. He is
so infirm and fanoiful. Then, as the real
party in interest, his testimony in the
laws eye would be tainted, though we
and erybody know it would be gospel
truth. If can manage to get the case
put over two terms or three--well, my
dear, think settlement will be mighty
near in sight. !"
Nobody in Walnut Greek dreamed of
questioning that Judge Graball ran
things legal pretty much to suit him.
self. So Rob was reasonably content as
she sat at Mrs. Paynes side and took
note of Mr.. Howell, who, she had heard,
was now firmly engaged to Miss Win
fold. And Mrs. Winfield, her gossips
had assured her, said over it: ~ really
was mighty sorry fer Jack Talbot, pore
fellow But, then, Alice never had, as
you might says incouridged him. Her
goin erbout with him had been mostly
because his mother was so insistent.
Alice never had the least idear of him
as er husband, though he wanted her
bad, SO bad she did but hope he wouldn't
60 an take ter drink over not gittin
her. But no girl couldn't, not eff she
had been well raised, think er missin
sech er chance as Mr.. Howell. Why, it
would be flyin in the face er Providence
an brother both. Brother never did ia
vor Jack Talbot an was jest delighted |
over Alice's Engagement. OF co'se he
had never let on ter the Talbots how he |
felt-he couldn't, not on account of the |
sto' an them workin SO many niggers-
but fer my part was glad ter let out
things. was so tired er bein perlite |
jest from the teeth. An then ter think |
what er romants it was-Mr. Howell /