The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-05-19

called to see her. They had just told
him OF their plan for levying contribu-
ton from Mr.. Grayson towards the we'd
ding expenses, and he had raised no
objection. Taking his pipe out of his
mouth, he said to Marjorie, as they sat
together in the little garden:
look here, Marry, which of the par
sons is it you are going for?"
"For Mr.. Grayson, Bill"
"Well-no hankey-did he really
carry on with you or not? No bankey,
old girl-just the plain truth"
mo, Bill, he didn't
well, then, you'll have to chuck it,"
"Chuck it, Bill? Why. ma says we'u
get at least so, perhaps & 1901"
Cant help it, old girl. 1 amt fond
Of parsons and am fond of guilds; but,
all the same, you must chuck it."
But why? Whatever will ma say?
Ma-a-a!"
Mrs. Hennell soon arrived on the
scene in answer to her daughters shril'
summons. She was Disguised when she
heard of Bills decision. Success seemed
so probable that her scruples had long
ago vanished.
Don't be fool, Bill" she said. "You
just keep quiet and leave it to me and
Marry: we'll work it all right"
81 tell you you'll have to stopit," said
Bill, firmly; "either you leaves him
alone, or l leaves you alone-see that,
Marty? When I was away in China in
the winter my old mother was dying OF
cold and starvation, and he came, yes
Grayson came, and gave her money and
food. Now she sits and blesses him all
day long, and doyou think I'm going to
turn against him?"
The next morning Mr.. Hamer's clerk
announced that man named Kent
wished to see him on private business.
"Kent? Who is Kent? You can
show him in
"Good morning, sir. I've come from
Mrs. Hennell."
Mrs. Hennell? Oh! Yes?"
"She thought as 'ow you might like to
know how the business was going on"
"Well?"
II mean the charge of breach of prom
Use you told her and her daughter to
bring against Mr.. Grayson.'
"Yes, yes, know; don't speak so
loud! What has she done?"
well, am Bill Kent, yon know, who
was going to marry Marry"
"Of course" said Mr.. Hamer. trying
| 70 I>a Int
Mr.. Grayson say?"
well, Mrs. Hennell has gone to apol-
ogize this morning, sir, and tell him it
was all mistake"
What" shouted the lawyer.
"We are a-going to chuck it," replied
Bill, calmly.
Mr.. Hamer was silent for few Sec
Hennell's perfdy. Bill Kent watched
him IN quiet amusement and made no
reply.
"Do you know that l gave Mrs. Hen
nell hve-pound note and can get her
imprisoned for obtaining money under
false pretenses?" said the lawyer, in
threatening tone.
Bill only grinned, and Mr.. Hamer,
seeing he was not to be frightened with
such an obviously absurd threat,
changed his tactics.
cit is very foolish of her, my good
man; if there is time you had better
stop her, and tell her she is wasting her
daughters marriage portion. Other|
wise I shall soon devise a method OF
making her sorry she tried to cheat me.
If it's too late, will bid you good morn
| ing for the present-unless you can
earn a few pounds yourself?"
| Bill sat in silence for a few minutes,
and Hamer thought he was about to
come to terms after all. Then he said:
about the money for getting mar
ried, sir?"
| Eyes"
81 think We'll earn it, SIR
"Ah, that's right, my man; thought
you would see it was best to be reasona-
BILE. Grayson is sure to give you some
thing handsome
We've owned up to Mr.. Grayson, sir,
but we thought you might oblige."
! "I?"
"Yes; you see, sir, we told the parson
! it was bunkum, but we thought it might
be worth something to you if we didn't
tell him, and the vicar, and Miss Byng-
ham, and all the big pots, who it was
that put us up to it,"
The two men looked at one another.
The mask of friendliness was thrown
aside, and they stood there like pair
of wrestlers weighing each others
strength and watching for favorable
opening.
! Iiamer spoke first.
This is blackmail, you villain!"
81 think you told Mrs. Hennell not to
be afraid of little bluff, sir?"
When Bill Kent left that office he was