The Delta independent., 1897-02-17

= u.
chased him clear away over to the other
side Of the mountain. shooting at him
every time they caught sight OF him.
and soaring the poor old man SO that
he left the country and never did come
hack till this spring. And now. as
say. he's afraid of every rybody. except
sather. and he lives all alone in a cave
down there In the Pocket, farming that
little patch of land for living"
"And what became of the heavy VI
iain:tCates. ] mean"
That's what makes it SO bad. When
he was sure that Mr.. kilgrow had left
the country he told it around that he
had bought the farm in the valley; and
when the new town company came
along he sold it to them, took the
money ard went away"
Thorndyke's studies in the law had
necessarily been the reverse of prac-
tical. but rs he sat up and reflectively
nursed his knees he was surprised at
the readiness with which the lawyers
point of view suggested itself.
"How large was this farm in the
valley?" he inquired. after q few mo-
ments of thoughtful silence.
81 don't know that, but father says
IL Mr.. Kilgrow had his rights he would
own half of Allacoochee."
Philip went into another revery. COM
ing out of 1t to say: ~ wish were well:
should enjoy taking up thing of this
kind. I've half a mind to try it, any
way, and take the chances on living
long enough 10 see it through. You
Il; ;lvSsH z 1o. a 4 /.
"No, indeed; are you?"
II presume I'm not, In the useful
serse Of the word. though have
piece Of parchment somewhere among
my belongings that says am. Perhaps.
however. could scare up enough COM
mon sense to help your old friend out
OF his trouble; II seems to be o very
clear case"
"oh. Mr.. Thorndyke! II you could
only do that!"
Her face was alight with the sncr-d
enthusiasm that makes IN irresistible
special pleader OF every good woman
enlisted in the cause Of the unfortunate.
and for the second time that day Thorn
dyke felt the subtle inspiration OF her
personality tingling through his veins
were inccrdiary things at the tip of his
tongue, but he withheld them. rising
and saying that they had better go
back TO the farmhouse. On the long
walk across the plateau he said but lit
tile. asking an occasional question bear
ng upon Elsie's story and listening At
tcntively to her explanations. just be-
fore they came in sight Of the house he
lsked her to wait q moment.
'If nn TO do anything for your old
n,ountaineer I must first have your ia
Tiers confidence. Have you made up
your mind 70 tell him that Tn In thc
aeerct?'
'Yes. indeed: shall tell him TO-
right"
'Then you may say that nm willing
10 do anything can in the matter"
"T'll tell him. It's very good md kind
how we ean ever make II MP TO you."
Philip hcsitated little before saying
that which would push him still farther
into the unexplored regions Of duplic-
ity; then he answered her.
"You cnn pay me with your approval:
you can help nc immcasurably-rotb by
lifting me over the hard places. Ms you
did awhile ago, but by giving me credit
for the energy and pluck that ought
70 have. Will you do that?''
"Indeed I will" There was no en-
barSassnnent in her manner now. and
no shadow OF reserve in the honest blue
eyes that were lifted to his. "Wc will
all help you; and I believe with nll my
l.
for Mr.. Kilgrow alone, but for your
self"
Thank you; that's enough until !
have done something" he said, and
they went on down the mountain.