Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-10-15


wanted the land. The only reason I
called was that the note is payable to-
day, and
"Oh, yes, by Jove! That was care
less Of me. The interest is due.
knew it would be all right, and had
no idea you would bother to rul>-iown
for that Why, my boy, we could have
drawn for it, you know"
Miller smiled inwardly as he looked
calmly and fxedly through his smoke
into the unsuspecting visage upturned
to him.
"Rut the note itself is payable to-
day." he said, closely on the alert for a
ia cial collapse. land, while you or |
might take up a paper for $4,000
through a bank, old fashioned people
like Mr.. and Mrs. Bishop would feel
safer to have it done by an agent.
That's why / came"
Miller in silent satisfaction saw the
face of his antagonist fan TO pieces
like an artificial flower suddenly shat
tered.
"Pay the notef" gasped Wilson.
"Whv"-
Miller puffed at his cigar and gazed
at his victim as if slightly surpr' sod
over the assumption that his clients
had not all along intended to avail
themselves of that condition in their
contract.
you mean that the Bishops are
ready to- Wilson began again on an
other breath-"to pay us the So 0o0?"
And the interest for siv months"
quietly added Miller reaching for
match on the desk. Il reckon you We
got the note here. | don't want to miss
my train
Wilson was good business man,
but his ruritanical training in New
England had not fitted hin for WY
diplomacy.
"Of course they can take up their
note today if they wish" he said. with
alarmed frankness. II was not count
ing on it, though" He rose TO his feet.
Miller's watchful eye detected a GER
tain trembling Of his lower lip. He
thrust his hands into his pockets merry
/ ously. and in tone of open irritation
he said to the young man at The type
/ writer: Brown, / wish you'd let up on
that Internal clicking. Sometimes /
| can stand it, and then again can't.
/ You can do those letters in me next
room"
When the young man had gone out,
carrying his machine, Wilson turned to
Miller. LAS understand IT, you per.
sonally have no interest in the Bishop
property"
"Oh, not a doflarv smiled the Ia wyer.
I'm only acting for them"
'Then"-Wilson drove his hands in.
to his pockets again perhaps you
wouldn't mind telling me if the Bishops
are on trade with other parties. Are
they"
Miller smiled and shook his head.
"As their lawyer, Mr.. Wilson, l simply
couldn't answer that question"
The blow was well directed, and it
struck a vulnerable spot.
Il beg your pardon" Wilson SIAM
mered. Il did not mean to suggest
that you would betray confidence He
reflected a moment, and then he said
in furried tone, They have not actu-
ally sOlu OUT nave lHHA
Miller was silent for a moment, then
he answered: Il don't see any reason
why may not answer that question.
l don't think my clients would object
TO my saying that they have not yet
accepted any offer"
A look of relief suffused itself over
Wilson's broad face.
their offer to me-
Miller laughed as if highly amused at
the complication of the matter,
They are bound. you rememb Der on
, ly so long as you hold their note
Then | tell you what 10 do" pro-
posed Wilson. GO back and tell them
not to bother about payment for a few
days. anyway, and that We Will soon
tell them positively whether We Will
pay their price or not That's fair,
isn't it,"
1T might seem so 10 a man person
ally interested in the deal admitted
, Miller as the introduction to another
= Of his blows from the shoulder. hut
as lawyer for my clients l can only
obey orders, like the boy who stood on
| the burning deck"
Wilson's face fell. The remote click
t ing of the typewriter seemed to CRATE
4 upon his high wrought nerves, and he
t went and slammed the partly opened
t door, muttering something like an oath
On that slight journey, however he
, caught an idea
r Suppose you wire them my propo
sition and wait here for reply" he
r suggested
Miller frowned THAT would do M
/ good" he said. I'm sorry can't eN
1 plain fully. but the truth is this / hap
Y pen to know that they wish for rea
sons OF their own TO take up the note
@ you hold and that nothing else will sui
3 them
At this tuncture Wilson lost his griE
e on all self possession and degenerate(
into the sullen anger OF sharp and un
expected disappointment.
II Il don't feel that We are being fairl!
d treated" he said. I'VE most natural,
assumed that your clients wanted to
d TO extend our option on the propert,
1. for at least another six mouths W
|. assumed that from the fact that W
q had no notification from them tina
4. they would be ready to pay the not
l. today That s>where we feel injured
Mr. Miller"
"a Rayburn threw his cigar into Gus