Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1897-08-10
A CASE IN EQUITY.
BY FRANCIS LYNDE.
copyright. 1905. by }. B. Lippincott Col
TX.
CONGRATULATIONS.

SS-ExAMINATION.
AS a result of Elsie's promise to tell
her father, James Duncan tapped at the
door of his guests room that night just
mother.
Come in" said Philip, pushing aside
his writing materials.
Duncan entered, and, after beating
cautiously about among Indifferent
topics for a few moments, came warily
to the object of his visit.
"Elsie's been tellin' me ye're a bit of
a lawyer, Mr.. Thorndyke," he said, by
way of beginning.
moo, that's varra SINGULAR" re-
marked Duncan. thoughtfully, much as
if Philip had asserted that he was
high caste Brahmin-"verra singular;
but then, it may be no so inopportune,
after "a. Would We min te1lin' me, moo,
what for We cam to study the law?"
Chiefly because my father wished it.
1t was his profession"
"Ow, ave." said Duncan, rubbing his
chin and relapsing into a silence which
seemed to indicate that he had come to
the end of his Introductory resources.
Philip thought to help him along by
asking if there were need for legal adj
vice in the affairs of the family.
ma, ma, it's no just that; but there's,
q n "a VI
wha wouldna be the waur for a wee bit
O. that same. I'm thinkin' Elsie's been
claverin' ABBOTT it when we was over
yon."
''She told me about the troubles of
your old friend Kilgrow, and offered
to help him if l could. Was that what
you meant?"
AYE" said Duncan, and, as he showed
no disposition to be more explicit,
Philip continued:
IF am to act as attorney for your
friend, it is needful that should know
all the facts. Are you prepared to give
them?"
Duncan was evidently making con-
scientious effort toward frankness, but
with such meager results that Thorn
dyke was finally compelled to exact the
desired information piecemeal, as from
an unwilling witness. After getting the
outline of Elsie's story verified, he pro-
ceeded to particulars.
'How long had Kilgrow owned the
Land when he took Gates as tenant?"
I'm no vera clear upo' that point.
but it's matter O. 20 year or more, as
l ken myself"
"Was his title clear?'
II think there's ma doubt ABBOTT that"
whats the name of this county?'
"Chilmath.'
And Allacoochee is the county seat 2"
AYE"
"Does this farm of Kilgrow's lie Who'll
~ within the limits of the new town."
II Gamma say as to the preceese leem~
it's; I'm thinkin' it'll tax in ABBOTT half
the town."
Il suppose no one knows anything
about the exact nature of the transac-
ton between the town company and
Cates?"
"Naething mair than that Gates got
q thousand dollars on the nail"
''Was that fair price for the land at
the time?"
INA, it wasna mair than half price"
Thorndyke made a note of this.
''That's our starting point. You knew
Gates: what kind of man was he?
Would he be likely to sell anything at
half price of his own accord 2"
ma, that he wouldna; he was canny
chieI, an over fond O. the main chance"
Then there was probably some pres
sure brought to bear upon him. Now,
what do you know about the town COM
pany people? Who made the deal with
Cates?" -.
"A lawyer by the name of sharpless.
an the agent, Master.J enkins Fench." d
.z.& ,.'Oho!" said Philip, recalling his mar
tyrdom on the train. THAT fellow was
4 in it, was he? He's rascal, if ever there
was one out of Jail. # his face doesn't
belle him he's equal to anything in the
way OF fraud. How about his part
ner e s*ss s.s. 4. ..,s5 3... s ...@
8 3 1.-THE lawyer? Tn thinkin' he's deal
waur than t'other." E Ss:
sit ism t very likely that they bought
4 the land without knowing all about the
law in the title, unless there's been
more crookedness than we know about.
I IL Kilgrow,su re that he never signed
any papers for Gates oranyone else q b
4 He's vera will to tax his oath
{ upo' that; an it's the mair unli kelly,
7 sin,, he Gamma read OF writ !"
S.sA md you say Gates got his money
and chen disappeared q
That adds ! little to the suspicious
look q IL thing; but, 80 free