The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-10-09
but knenest and closest amongst them
was Mr.. Fillingham himself.

~ was gNuiiho II e lily OlSSuo"
sion after dinner over their wine and
cigars of these birds of a feather that
Phyllis was to forsake the paternal
nest and take that flight which should
make Or MAJ her future happiness,
Midway himself, entering by a side
door Of the conservatory, was TO meet
her and lead the way to the waiting
carriage.
The details had been carefully
planned and, adhering closely TO these
arrangements, Midway found himself
in the conservatory at eight O'Clock on
utes later, approaching with a quick,
soft tread in the semi-darkness, came
Phyllis, true to her tryst.
Springins forward, Midway claspcd
her hands in his.
"Darling.' he whispered, joyfully.
Then, amidst his citation and the trem-
bling fears of Phyllis, they drew sharp
ly up. Ahead from a side doorway
leading to the main passage OF the
conservatory, down which they must
pass to escape, came Mr.. Fillingham's
voice.
This way, F%oxbrook." they heard
him say. I'VE shall be undisturbed
here"
Still holding Phyllis hands, Midway
drew her swiftly and silently beneath
the cover of some thick palms and
shrubs which bOrdered the passage,
and he had barely done SO when Mr..
Fillingham and Foxbrook, a co-di-
rector, and the vice chairman OF Mr..
Fillineham's great land syndicate, took
their seat on a low iron bench not
three yards away.
What is the news, FoXbrook?"
asked Mr.. Fillingham, eagerly.
Rather important to you" declared
FoXbrook in his cool, deliberate way;
indeed to all of us in the syndicate.
! have just learnt frum Bencher that
the new loop line will to a certainty
go through Darnley and tap the full
length of the Irwell Hall estate. He
advises me. too, that we have no time
to waste if the deal Is to be worked,
and we must buy the Irwell people up
without an hours delay"
Decidedly" declared Mr.. Filling
ham. Did you call on MULTI and
Fudge, the agents?"
Il did" replied FoXbrook, slowly.
"And informed them we were disposed
to treat for the estate if it were cheap.
we are too late"
TOO late!" cried Mr.. Fillingham.
That bland fool old MULTI, who
evidently knows nothing yet" rejoined
Foxbrook, Uniformed me they would
have been glad to treat with the syn
dictate, but they had granted an option
OF purchase to a person who hoped to
find a buyer within the present month,
provided his efforts were guaranteed
fusal Of the estate for 100000 up to
the 30th."
An angry exclamation came from
Mr.. Fillingham, and in the darkness
Midway gripped Phyllis hand tighter.
Good h~eavens!" cried the financier.
why the estate has gone a-begging
for months; and must be trebled in
value if Bencher is right. Who is the
man? Can he have got wind OF the
thing?"
THAT remains to be SEEN" declared
Foxbrook. You know him pretty
well. 1t is young Midway, who was
connected with us in that small af-
lair"
Midway" gasped Mr.. Fillingham.
"Your Midway" declared Foxbrook,
half satirically, who was after your
daughter. | could neve understand
why you threw such a promising young
over"
And you say he has the option to
purchase for 100000 within the
month";" asked Mr.. dillingham;.
Why, the estate is worth $50, 900 of
any mans money if Bencher's infor-
proves reliable"
More" rejoi1Ad Foxbrook, calmly.
And Bencher is beyond doubt
well, we must see Midway" as
serted Mr.. Fillingham.
Foxbrook laughed quietly.
After kicking him out?s he in
facetiously.
This thing Is, of course, a purely
business matter" replied MIR. Filling
ham. And from what l know OF Med
way he will treat it as such. He is
poor enough. 1t is more than probable
that he knows nothing OF the real
Of affairs and is just dabbling to
make a small commission. We must
see him at once before he gets wind
If its real value. Though. of course,
he is without money to buy himself"
"Pish!" said Foxbrook, contemptu-
ously, "he will have a dozen offers
ss:.slli;a the ssssssi.ss unless we secure him
the rush--Steinway, Goldthorpe,
Phillipson and a score of others will
De anxious to snap it up when the news
S known. Bencher gives US only three
1r four days before the cat is out of
.he bag. But I have my doubts of
Young Midway. 1t seems odd he
have got control OF the estate
lust at this juncture. We must get in
ouch with HIM at once. Not a min
Ite should be lost in the morning.
we must moy cautiously
aUgdoubtedIy," said Mr.. Fillingham.
Mcying away, they retired from the