The Delta independent., 1897-04-14


makes you talk as IL Mr.. Thorndykc be-
longed to me? What right have you to
think that he is anything more than
friend of my fathers, like-like your
ss3f? How do you know that he isn't
engaged to the young lady in New York
who writes to him every week?"
Protheroe made a praiseworthy at
tempt to be coherent, but 1t ended
rather tamely. "Then you-then l
have been mistaken all along in think
ing-Elsie, please come away from that
cliff and tell me you forgive me-
II won't-not till you catch me-"
And, with n mocking laugh in which
there was more joy than deris;on, she
slipped over the edge of the rock and
was nearly out of sight in the path be-
low before Protheroe gathered enough
presence of mind to accept her chal-
lenge. The chase was short and vigor-
GUS, and when it was ended the process
Of forgiveness appeared to be some
what nbstruse and complicated, judg-
ing from the time which elapsed before
The yonng man and the maiden present
ed themselves in the cave of the noun
laineer.
Kilgrow took the news of his good
fortune with . serene complacency
Lorn Of q happy ignorance of money
values
"Thess SOS t they-all II lemme alone,
is all keer," he said, and they had some
trouble in making him understand that
his presence was needed Mt the farm
house. Loving and trusting Elsie, he
went willingly when he understood
what was wanted of him; and Oh the
why back to the valley he was mindful
enough of his own long-buried youth
10 keep well out of earshot of the two
young people, to whom the return jour
uey was only too short.
The afternoon sun was shining slant
wise over the neck of the Bull when
they reached the house, and after the
rcticent and embarrassed mountaineer
had run the gauntlet Of congratula-
tion Thorndyke took him up to the
ntt;c bedroom.
"You understand that I'll have to go
to New York to collect this money" he
began, when he wus alone with his
client. "What am to do with II, and
how much shall keep out for my fce?"
A smile of child-like surprise flick
cred for a moment on the withered face
Of the old man. "Fer you-uns' pay?--i
I thort done tor ye bout thnt thar.
'Iorg back yondcr at the fust. lowed
to you-uns then that ef 30 be ye cd raise
me $4,000 out'n hit"
"But that's sheer nonsense, you
know" protested Philip. II should be
TIRE mr. r,fl In. tn
take such an advantage"
"Barg'in's q barg'in," insisted Kill
grow, firmly.
"It wasn't bargain, but I'll tell you
what l will agree to; I'll divide this
money equally with you."
"IIow much d. ye reckon that d be?"
Fifty thousand dollars apiece"
The sum was still too large to be COM
prehersible to Kilgrow, and Philip
sought to help him. '.If you put your
share into government bonds, the in
terest would be about 81 500 a year.
The eold man sati perplexed silence re-
rolving his hat slowly in his thin hands.
II reckon I cayn't figure hit out ef
.ry," he said, after a little. II wisht
rou-uns d DO whatsomever ye thinks
light weth hit"
"I'll invest it for you, II you like, and
the interest can be sent to Duncan"
81 reckon thatTl be oil right" Kill
grow rose and moved toward the door,
stopping on the threshold to ask
question that troubled him more than
the disposition of his newly-ncquircd
fortune. '.Ye reckon them fcllcrs is
plum shore Z lemme alone, now, air
YEP
"Why, certainly. The things done
and settled, and they've no more reason
to persecute you now than IL you'd
never owned tho land"
THANK ye; that's what keer fer
more'n the money. u We low yen put
hit in them thar bon's?"
THAT will be the safest investment
for you"
There was another pause and more
searching for the few common factors
Of speech. 'rm gettin' sort o. tol'ablc
OIL, these days, an they amt nobody ter
come after me; reckon they amt no
way We cd fix hit so't the little gal
Inought git hit wen I'm th'oo weth
hit?''
"You mean Duncan's daughter?"
Kilgrow nodded.
"Why. yes; I can buy the bonds in
her name, If you wish"
Thank ye; that thar's what rs pint.
in at" He nodded grsvely and left the
room, coming back again presently to
hold out his hand across the table IN
Philip. II csyn't jaw much-you-uss
done foun' thst out fore now-but I
reckon you-uns kin sort o. lay bit out
in you-uns' min what-all I'd say ef on'y
I thess knowcd how. 'Tsin't many Of
'rm ID a TUX up fer pore or to'n-up
wildcstter. nohow."
Philip grasped the extended hand an6
wrune IL heartily. "Don't say . word.
Mr.. Kil9row; the Obligation h all on