Warren sheaf., 1903-05-21
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 it's contents, and occasionally
comparing what he found with list
written down in 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.
"Oh, it's you, is it?" with a weary
air, as his brother entered the room
looking light-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.
'Yes, it's only me,' replied the
brother. "Why, you started, Jimmy
when I came in, as if you had been
a burglar surprised in the act of
rifing that safe"
"You have an unpleasant way of
plunging in on people when you are
not expected
COR wanted" continued the other,
with a malicious smile, as he flung
himself down into chair and lit a
cigarette.
II thought I had locked the door;
was busy with accounts.''
"Preparing to give an account of
your stewardship, I suppose" and
Frank, watching his brothers face.
saw 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 r am
naturally of 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 I said
before, I am glad to see that you
are preparing to give an account Of
your stewardship" James looked al
his brother in surprise.
| "I don't know what you are driv
ing at, nor do I see what possible
business it is of yours.''
"a great deal my business. You
naturally, want the bulk of the for
tune. Well, as I intend to mary her
I am interested that my wife should
receive her fortune intact
James Ellison laughed, but ther.
was little heartiness in it.
"You still cling to that absurt
idea. I thought the other day yol
were merely Joking"
II never joke on such serious
subject. Apart from the fortune,
find the young woman charming, AM
am not too old to appreciate tn
charms, mental and physical, of 81
attractive a parsonage. I know yo7
will find it hard to surrender tn
fortune, or the biggest part Of il
to me, but you will have it in tn
family, and that should be salts
faction" with grin.
i OI, SIcdG SdClSAdcClOus Icp11e
James, grimly, as he looked at hi
brother keenly, to make sure that h
was really in earnest. "And Grace
does she consider your attentions i
any light but that of ridicule?''
4 "Oh, I have not been precipitate
mean to win her by kindness.
J "Since that-er-er- = unfortunat
tragedy she is in sympatheti
mood, and I can do much to comfo1
and console her." Frank Elliso
reeled off this speech with apparen
satisfaction, as if he was quite sur
of his ground.
"And the school-teacher, what {
him %
81 don't think need fear him an
he is as good as done for"
!, ssYou evidently are not aware {
what has taken place." said jaime
Ellison, with pleasure that b
could not disguise.
.What do you mean?"
} .Why, the police have made an a;
rest. It is in this mornings paper,
d Frauk Ellison allowed the cigaret1