Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-09-15
By -.
WILL N.
HARDEN

yesterdayw
"Oh, you did? That's good" Per-
kins' eyes futtered once or twice be-
fore his gaze steadied itself on the face
OF the man before him. "Well, as l
told you, Mr.. Bishop, that sort Of
thing is good investment I reckon
it's already climbing up little, amt
it?"
mot much yet" 1t struck Bishop
that he had given the lawyer a splen-
did opportunity to speak Of the chief
cause for an advance in value, and his
heart felt heavier as he finished. "But
took quite a slice the last time
5000 acres at the old figure, you know
"a dollar acre"
"You don't say! That was a Slice"
Bishop drew himself up in his chair
and inhaled deep breath. It was as
II he took into himself in that way the
courage to make his next remark.
II got 1t from the Tompkdns estate"
'You don't say! didn't know they
had that much on hand"
"Sence bought the land I've acct
dentally heerd that you are some kin
o. that family"
Perkins started slightly and raised
his brows.
ooh, yes! On my wife's side, away
of, some way or other. l believe the
original Tompkins that settled there
from Virginia was my wife's grand
father. never was much of hand
to go into such matters"
when heerd that, Perkins, it was
natural fer me to wonder why you,
you see-why you didn't tell them
about the railroad"
The sallow features Of the lawyer
seemed to stiffen. BE drew himself
up coldly and wicked expression
flashed in his eyes.
Take my advice, old man." he
snarled as he threw down his pen and
stared doggedly into Bishops face.
"Stick to your farming and don't waste
your time asking professional lawyer
questions which have no bearing on
your business whatever. Now, really,
do have to explain to you my per-
sonal reasons for not fayoring the
Tompkins people with al may say
any piece of informationY
Bishop was now as white as death.
His worst suspicious We're confirmed
he was q ruined man; there was no
further doubt about that. Suddenly he
felt unable to bride the contemptuous
fury that ragged within him.
II think know why you didn't tell
'em." was what he hurled at the law
yer.
"You think you do?'
Eyes; 1t was beca'se you knowed no
, road was goin' to be built. You told
Pete Mosely the same tale you did me,
an Abe Tompkins unloaded on i'm.
That's q way you have o. dom bust
ness"
Perkins stood up. He took his silk
hat from the top Of his desk and put
1t on. ooh, yes, old man." he sneered;
I'm terribly dishonest fellow, but
I've got company in this world. Now,
really, the only thing that has wor-
ried me has been your I'M Christian act
In buying all that land from the Temp
kins heirs at such low figure when
the railroad will advance its value SO
greatly. Mr.. Bishop, thought you
were good Methodist"
"Oh, you kin laugh an jeer all you
like" cried Bishop, ''but can handle
you fer this"
"You are not as well versed in the
law as you are in fertilizers, Mr.. Bish-
op." sneered the lawyer. 'In order to
make case against me you'd have to
publicly betray matter told to you
in confidence. ana then what WOMB
you gain? I doubt IL the court would
force me to explain private matter
like this where the interests of my eli
ents are concerned, and If the court
did I could simply show the letters I
have regarding the possible construc-
ton of railroad in your section. II
you remember rightly, did not say
the thing WIS an absolute certainty.
On top Of all this you'd be obliged to
prove collision between me and the
| Tompkins heirs over sale made by
their attorney, Mr.. Trabue. There is
one thing certain, Mr.. Bishop, and that
Is that you have forfeited your right
to any further confidence in this mat
ter. II the road is built. you'll find
out about it with the rest of your PEG.
pie. You think you acted wisely in at
lacking me this way, but you have
! simply cut off your nose to spite your
face. Now, I have long car ride be
fore me, and it's growing late"
Bishop stood up. He was Quivering
as with palsy. His voice shook and
rang like that Of mailman.
You are scoundrel, Perkins," he
saba dirty blacksnake in the grass!
I want to tell you that!''
"Well, I hope you won't make any
charge for It,"
"No; it's free" Bishop turned to the
door. There was droop upon his
whole body. He dragged his feet as
he moved out into the unlighted corri
dor, where he paused irresolutely. So
great was his agony. that he almost
/ Obeyed an impulse to go back and fall
1 ut the feet of Perkins and implore his
aid to rescue him and his family from
impending ruin. The lawyer was NOV
/ ing about the room, closing his desk
and drawing down the window shade.
tits no use." sighed Bishop as he
made his way downstairs. I'm ruined
Alan an Adele hain't cent to theil
thames. an that deyil" Bishop paused
on the first landing like an animal Al
! bay. He heard the steady step OF Per
kins on the floor above, and for mo
ment his fingers tingled with thu
thought Of waiting there in the dark
ness and choking the life out of tn.
subtle scoundrel who Ind taken adyan