Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-04-24

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He flung his bag on a bench In the
waiting room and consulted moon
faced clock over the ticket Office. 1t
showed a margin of half an hour be-
fore traintime.
"Have you to get your ticketw West
over asked.
mo; bought a round trip ticket
when left Kansas City," adding.
with bitter little smile, "Cheaper,
you know"
Then, after all, I've got plenty of
time for my say. I'm tremendously
glad we've got this old barn to our.
selves"
1.-THE tide Of travel does not set very
heavily this way" said Tom, seating
himself near his bag. Inwardly curl
Gus. he watched his rival with entire
composure as he unbuttoned his coat
and brought from an inner pocket a
handsome pocketbook Of Russia leath-
err
II have here. Broxton," said Clarence,
selecting paper from the contents of
the book, "a document which, 1 think,
ought to be in your possession. have
taken the liberty Of copying it and
have sent my copy to Genoa, where
my father is and will be for some time
to come on account Of my mothers
health. took that liberty because the
Westoyers are as much interested in it
as yourself"
Tom cast a look of languid interest
toward the sheet Of yellow paper
which Clarence still retained between
his finger and thumb.
MY possession of it needs some sort
Of an explanation, so you will have to
read the preface, a thing always es-
cape by skipping. If you were left to
suppose that either my father or I
knew of the existence of this paper
when we purchased BroXton Hall,
being part owner of it on the strength
of grand maternal legacy, you would
be put to it to decide whether we were
fools or knaves."
II don't in the least catch the drift
yet" said Tom, smiling family, "but so
Tar have never placed you in either
category
mot yet, but you will after reading
this. But the preface waits. Did you
ever happen to hear Mother Spillman
rave about some papers she had lost,
some papers that were Of value to you,
Broxton?"
Toms face and voice softened.
Yes, poor old bedlamite! She was
faithful in her attachment to me for
the sake of those who went before.
She urged me with considerable vio-
lence to look more closely into my own
affairs and limited wildly at some pa
pers that / ought to examine. But I
knew my guardian; and trusted him.
That my affairs turned out disastrous.
~ was no fault of his. I am glad OF
an opportunity to say this. l believe
he was truly fond of me, also perhaps
for the sake of those who went be.
| FORE"
He could not tell Westover, he could
not tell any one, that his faith and
affection for his guardian had been re.
vived by hearing those high pitched
words: Marry Thomas Broxton. l
command you!" To know that his
guardian had even wished him the in.
efable happiness of calling Olivia
wife" had been balm to his sore
young heart
YES; but, my dear fellow, it seems
that the old bedlamite,' as you call the
late respected Mrs. Spillman and as we
all thought her, was not so far Off as
we all pronounced her. There was q
lot Of papers lost and found and lost
again. am in deucedly delicate pc
sition, Broxton. Confound it! wish
you felt more kindly toward me- Not
that would in your place. But, yor
see, it is just this way: really woult
like to discuss this matter freely will
you as between interested parties, ant
yet
Tom relaxed a little under the evi
dent distress In the handsome face be
| fore him.
II think see where the difficulty
comes in. I gather that the paper yoy
hold in your hand has some bearing or
the old house. You are afraid that its
late discovery win cast discredit on thu
father of your future wife. 1t makes
you hesitate"
Precisely. This paper contains in
formation upon which the lawyers
could build up a very formidable cast
of Broxton versus Westover. 1t is en-
tirely at your disposal. I will not keel
you In suspense while explain how i
came into my possession. That part o,
the story can wait"
He laid the paper in Thomas ex
tended hand and walked away toward
the dusty paned window. If there was
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