Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-05-26

l had gwen lG 10 you. nave you gOG the paper?"
 1T have not. What was the nature of it?''
 Ut is of no importance, the nature of it. You have not seen the paper ?''
 Possibly I have seen it, but as you have not told me what it is-"
 'I thought at the time that fellow was lying, and that he thought of you | as shield for himself"
 "Is this all you wanted to see me about?'' said Irving, with apparent disappointment.
 ''Oh, by the way, you did not spend the night at your rooms?"
 "No," said Irving, indifferently.
 ''How was that?''
 "See here, coloSel, doesn't it occur to you that you are taking vast deal of interest in my affairs?''
 Well, you see, like you, Warde." :"
 Thanks"
 And you might find it to your in- terest to know something about the paper.'
 Ut is valuable, then?"
 Are you sure you don't know any thing about the paper P
 Bother the paper! Why. if I had it in my pocket now, do you suppose that would give it to you without having description of it?"
 "I'm sorry that you can't help me about it, as it is of great importance to some friends of mine"
 By the way" said Irving, lis there l any news in the Wright case?" l The colonel looked at him penetrat- ingly for a moment and then replied: case"
 1T thought you took deep interest in it on account of the family
 1T think ought to ask you the news about it.''
 I Its trife stale. now. but sup pose the people will wake up when I the trial begins. Have you any idea what the line of defense will be?"
 None whatever. In fact other l business of very important charac- sr mas occupied all my attention of l lten
 I During this conversation Meriva1e l yawned repeatedly and looked inn mensely bored, as if he wished Warde would go and give him an opportunity to resume business with Franklin. He toyed with newspaper for while impatiently, and somehow Irving re- ceived the impression that this inn l patience was largely assumed for the occasion.
 At last Warde left the two men 1 alone. They looked at each other in silence. Then Merivale spoke with 8 sneering laugh: That young man has outwitted you completely, Frank lin. He has your paper put away safe; probably it is in Everett's pos session. And there is another thing that is perfectly apparent that young fellow was as sober last night as you are this minute It is now l ten o'clock. We know that he was in his room at eight, and at Everett's shortly after, and there is not the faintest sign of dissipation about him. I'm surprised that you have allowed yourself to be so easily deceived. We'll, I have advanced considerable money to you to carry out this enter 1 prise, and have asked no questions \ regarding the way it was expended; but tell you now I must have some vesults.'
 "But we are on the very brink of success, and if you throw it up now you will lose everything. Nothing but series of unfortunate events could have prevented the accomplish ments of our designs If you desert me now am simply ruined"
 "Well, I'll stick to you few months longer, not because care anything about you. I have no time for sym pathy with individuals; besides it isn't business. only care for the success of movements. If your scheme could be carried through it would save me several millions: that would be a clear pickup. If you fail I shall try scheme of my own One thing is sure: Warde must be got away from here. I'll try and get him an opening in Nyw York;
 Late that afternoon Warde ran across HilIsman, who had just got up. The debauch of the night before had told plainly upon him, his flushed face and bloodshot eyes bearing con elusive evidence against him. He die not allude at all to the meeting o1 the previous evening, and it was evi dent that dissipation had drawn g veil over all that had happened ant left in his mind merely blank Warde was considerably relieved or this score, for at present he did not care to complicate matters by having to consider Frank as an clement il them.
 At eight o'clock Warde and MT. Ev erett were again closeted together : and the paper that had caused such { vast amount of trouble was take1 from the safe and carefully read. | , was dated 20 years before the tim, of this story. The handwriting wal bold and plain. The following were : the contents in full: AGREEMENT BETWEEN JOHN T E WRIGHT AND JAMES FRANKLIN. John T. Wright has this day made tn following transfers of property with tn l subjoined understanding with Jame
 Franklin: The Wright homestead, 50
 acres, all Improvements. The Magnoli, plantation. 2,0oo acres, in - parish ] Louisiana. The Coahoma plantation. 8, { 670 acres, in Mississippi The Queen Cit,