Warren sheaf., 1903-05-21
CHAPTER XVII.
THE FACE IN THE HEDGE.

CHAPTER XVII.
THE FACE IN THE HEDGE.
James Ellison stood before an open
safe built in the wall Of the study
in his city house. He was examin-
ing its contents, and occasionally
comparing what he found with list
written down in a little book he held
in one. hand. Now and then he
sighed, while a worried look came
over his face. Suddenly at the sound
Of door being opened he closed the
safe hurriedly and turned the knob.
ssOh, it's you, is it % with a weary
I air, as his brother entered the room.
looking ight-hearted and debonair.
He went back to his seat by the
desk, and sat there with his head
resting on one hand in an attitude
of deep detection.
sss'Yes, it's only me- replied the
brother. Why, you started, Jimmy,
when came in, as if you had been
9 burglar surprised in the act of
rifing that safe. -
ou have an unpleasant way Of
plunging in on people when you are
not expected &
Or wanted, z continued the other,
with malicious smile, as he flung
himself down into chair and lit a
cigarette.
Il thought had locked the door;
4 was busy with accounts. y
Preparing to give an account of
your stewardship, I suppose" and
Frank, watching his brothers face:
saw a faint flush gather at the words.
That is my own concern he said:
testify. II hope you did not come
here to be quarrelsome. You know
we never could get along well to-
gether.'
That was not my fault, for am
naturally of a mild disposition, re.
piled the other, with mock earnest
ness.
You happened to marry fortune.
and then became so airy that it was
no longer possible for us to pull to.
gether in harness. Now, as said
| before, am glad to see that you
are preparing to give an account OF
your stewardshi James looked al
his brother in surprise.
/ don't know what you are driy-
ing at, nor do = see what possible
business it is Of yours. z
"A great deal my business. You1
daughter, when she marries, will
naturally, want the bulk Of the for.
tune. Well, as intend to mary her
81 am interested that my wife should
receive her fortune intact. .
James Ellison laughed, but there
was little heartiness in it,
81 You still cling to that absurd
idea. thought the other day yol
were merely joking. =
IT never joke on such serious
subject. part from the fortune,
find the young woman charming, ane
i am not too old to appreciate tht
charms, mental and physical, Of s.
attractive q parsonage. know yol
will find it hard to surrender th,
fortune, or the biggest part Of il
t~GO IuS, yOuSV4AA s1AStS y IL III GAAs
family, and that should be salts
faction, = with q grin.
Oh, q great satisfaction replie.
James, grimly, as he looked at hi
q brother keenly, to make sure that b
was really in earnest. And Grace
does she consider your attentions i
any light but that Of ridicule r.
ssOh, have not been precipitate
4 mean to win her by kindness.
Since that unfortunat
tragedy she is ia sympatheti
mood, and can do much to comfor
a and console her Frank Elliso
Z Ireeled OF this speech with apparen
q satisfaction, as i he was quite sur
4 of his ground.
And the school l-teacher, what 9
him e''
81 don't think need fear him an
-he is as good az done for.
], ssY You evidently are not aware &
what has taken place. z said Jame
81 Ellison, with pleasure that b
could not disguise. S.
ssWhat do you mean ?'' S.
Why, the police have made an q
/ rest. 70 Is III this MOI ming paper.
a, Frank Ellison aloue "a s,gsEst!