The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-02-24

ance for your board and for guardians
fees, the deacon ought to have five
hundred dollars for you"
Five hundred dollars!' faltered.
"How am | to get it?'
"Ah-thcre is the trouble! | suppose
Tom Brough has no business to blab
the secrets of the Office; but when he
has glass in, he'll tell me anything.
lie says that Deacon Hallecli has made
great deal of money out of estates,
and defrauded rlany widows and or
phans, by large bills, delays and all
kinds of law-obstaclcs. He says that
is just what will happen to you. No
matter, Dorr; III stand by you. IN
get some lawyer or other to take your
case, and you can stay with me till it's
decided"
sat pondering on this revelation.
It'll take time" said.
"Yes-of course"
And perhaps the deacon might make
it appear that he don't owe me any
thing"
Hes capable of swearing to any,
thing; and you'll have to take your
chances with him, of course, But I'd
follow him up"
lies rich and has position and in
fuence; I'm nobody" | said, continu-
ing to pile up the obstacles.
you have friends, tell you'll Just
take my advice!'
THANK you, Mart, I believe I'll try
another way first"
"What way?"
A sudden inspiration had seized me.
81 can't tell you; it's between the
deacon and me; I'm going right back
to see him."
1t was not more than an hour from
the time that left the home of my late
guardian when | entered it again.
There was a little den off the dining
room where deacon kept desk, the
pigeon-holes of which were filled with
his notes, leases and mortgages. /
knew his habits, and relied upon find
ing him here at that hour. He looked up
from some accounts that he was poring
over, and scowled as he saw me.
"What brings you back here?" he de-
manded.
81 was in too great a hurry to leave,
just now. I've come back to have a
settlement with you"
He turned sharply, and faced me.
"What do you mean?"
81 want you to account to me as my
late guardian. It's my belief that
there's as much as five hundred dollars
coming to me-"
A contemptuous smile curled his thin
lips.
you're getting along famously, in
deed! What other gossip have you
heard over at the tavern?"
will you settle with me?"
Look here-you impertinent jacka-
napesl There is nothing to settle. The
very small amount of money that
came to me for you after the sale of
the farm has been more than consumed
by my charges for board, washing and
care. You owe me money yousrelf."
81 shall put my claim in the hands
of lawyer"
GO ahead" he said, defiantly.
"Well, Deacon Halleck-that's the
end of that business, for the present
You'll hear from my lawyer in due
time. There's something else l want
to talk about"
: He turned his back upon me, and
busted himself again at his desk.
Your barn was burned last Decem-
ber.''
He wheeled his chair sharply about
"What of that?''
81 know who set it afire."
"You do?"
YES"
His defiant manner was gone; the
had hard work to return my steady
look.
"Well-" and then came a pause.
"Who did it?"
you did it,"
He jumped up, strobe to and fro,
shook his fist at me and poured out a
torrent of words.
"You rascally young liar! What do
you mean, coming here and insulting
me with such ridiculous story? Do
you suppose you can blackmail meme
in this way? I'll have you arrested
MI"
His wrath, and his fears, too, as his
face plainly showed, choked his words
l Iquietly took chair.
I'D advise you to take it cool, sir!
You'll remember we've done talking
about my claim; we are on another
subject now. | merely say to you that
have the evidence that you burned
your own property to realize a large
insurance on it. shall go from here
|