Owingsville outlook. [volume] (Owingsville, Ky.) 1879-192?, 1898-02-03

nall. l presume, the stage Was Jest n
drivin' up : come upstairs. Its early
to-night-a good half-hour."
"No, no; don't wait. l shall he all
right alone" protested Neil, inpatient
ly. IL prefer to he alone. DO GO"
We'll, what on earth!" mutter"d Mrs.
Bowen to herself, as she took herself
away. too much accustomed to sick
room eccentricitics, however. Ia won
der long AT Ncil's sudden captiousncSs
Left alone, the sick man, his face
white and rigid in lines of pain, turned
over impetuously, smoihering a groaG
in the sheet he huddlcd about his head.
What was it he had been saving a mo-
mcnt ago. he had got over it? he had
ceased Ia care? Great heavens, What a
lie il had been! lie would never cease
Ia care never!
Half an hour LATER when the docto-
came in. il was with a start scarcely dis
guiscd under professional uouchalaucr
that hc met the strange glitter in the
patients eyes. "lnu'Ne been sitting uu
too long, old man; or have YOU been
visited To death? WHO'S been here
he demanded. sitting down beside the
bed. with n finger on the wrist that lay
outside the clothes.
'\o. | was only holstercd up a little
while: and nobody has been here eN
ccpt Mrs. Bowen, though she's host in
herself" Neil protested, with a wan
smile. Don't try Ia persuade me that
am having a relapse. doctor. I'm bet
ter so much better that | am thinking
of going home neNtweck. What do you
say To that"
IL say, wait till next week." laughed
the doctor, his eyes intently studying
the face upon the pillow. Meanwhile.
I've brought you over something new"
producing a bottle from his pocket and
critically ewing the contents as he held
il up before him. ~ teaspoouful of this
every hour will help you along ON the
way toward home amazingly. think"
but is that all you brought" re-
turned Neil. disappointedly. Did |
have no mail?"
Mail! One would think you were
expecting to hear from your sweet
heart, the way you cry for mail,
laughed the doctor. in good-humored
raillrry, feeling In the side-pochet OF
his coat for a couple of letters. which he
laid upon the bed. You see she hasn't
written to you this time. at all events.
Those are obviously nothing hut bust
ness. But, hy the same token, | had a
letter from a pretty girl myself TO
irh
whom"
But Neil had torn open the first en-
velopc. his breath coming quicker. his
eyes riveted to the page which he was
holding with n hand obviously trem-
bling. IL cannot read it such viii
famous hand the man writcS!" he pet
tiShly exclaimed, after an instant.
Here. doctor, see what you can make
out of it,"
why, it is from her lawyers Miss
Meredith's," the other remarked, with
surprise, as his glance fell upon the
first line; land he doesn't write a Spcn-
cerian fist, by long sSot. But this
seems To be what he has 70 say:
Mr. Harvey Neil. Windy Gulch, COL
Dear Sir: am instructed by my client,
Miss Dorothy Meredith, t. confer with
YOU ns to such terms Of compromise aS
would seem TO you Just aid fair in tn"
suits now pending between tie Mascot and
the Gruhstake mines Miss Meredith's Idea
is that you should take tie Gruhstake
lode at n fair valuation as Part satisfac-
ton of your claim, the balance 20 be settled
in cash as may he arranged. The books
OF the mine having heFh destroyed In the
burning OF the shafthouse, at Miss Mere
iiih's desire | have been at pains 10 pro-
cure from the smelters a statement OF
all shipments OF ore and moneys paid
therefor. the full amount Of which Tor
the year ending August 2S, 1874. Is s1,,-
SEA &c, smelter charges and frTights de-
Quoted. The expense of mining is next
to be considered, In which the ?etncsS Of
the mine and demand for mitch ma
chinery which has been put in during the
year should be counted. As practical
mining man you are in a position to
estimate these several items; while as a
business man you eau figure what ad-
vantage II may he to ybu TO hold The two
properties and forever quiet all contro-
versy. ] should be glad to havs from
you the best proposition you can make
to this end. l may add that Miss Mere
diths attitude In the matter is egairst my
best judgment and advice. my opinion be-
ing that she must inevitably win should
II be left to the courts to decide .he points
in controversy. She. however, dcsifes to
avoid litigation IL possible. and 10 such
end is willing to make reasonable conces-
sion. Trusting that I may hear from you
without delay, am
Very truly yours.
-. J. CRILET."
There was silence for moment rs
the doctor ceased reading, and then Neil
broke into a strange laugh. 80 she
would like me to propose terms of com
promise, would she?" he exclaimed.
well, l can"
II suppose So" the doctor smilingly
agreed. gratulatory note in his voice.
But you observe that she wants you to
take the Grubstake at fair valuation.
Evidently she considers it valuable
piece of property" And he laughed
as at n good joke.
"Oh, shall be willing to take it, pro
vided other conditions can be sntis-
factorily arranged" Neil declared,
laughing in turn.
But we cannot have you figuring
over this deal now, old fellow" the
doctor declared, his face growing again
grave. He had long been Neil's most
intimate friend in camp, of late acting
as clerk and amanuensis no less than
as physician, and he considered him
self privileged to advise in the one ca
I.acity as well as the other. This thing
will keep. / will write that you are too
sick to give any attention to business
at present, but that as soon as you are
able"
II want her address, DOCTOR" inter
rupted Neil, eagerly, his eyes very
bright. Tell him that / prefer to ar
range terms with her personally"
"Oh, as TO that, should think be-
gan the doctor, in rather shocked
tone of protest; but, with vague sense
of bewilderment at something in the
sick mans face, he stopped short, hes
itantly adding: 81 have her addrcss IL
you want it, but Well, she did not
strike me as being much of business
woman"
"You have her address," exclaimed
Neil, his glance suspicious, his tone
aggressive, as he almost sat up in bed.
And how came you by her address,
pray?"