The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-25
CHAPTER xvII-continued.

mtu- 4otu ptONu ~ WIN wa N~NN
Of the dead.
but then / don't know. II is but .
small scrap of paper. easily lost amonl
the many he had 10 hoard. He was my
fathers friend. lie was olivia's father
Peace to his ashesl Let his mistakes
sleep with him in the grave and be for
gotten sooner"
westover inpulsively laid a hand upon
the one that rested on Toms knee. His
nne eyes shone with appreciation of the
of the dead man.
',Broxton, / take OF my hat to you.
Any man who can talk that way in face
of--in face of--I wish you liked me bet
ter. BY Jove, / do, 1t would make
me esteem myself higher to have you
call me friend
Toms essentially sweet soul was not
proof against tho winning smile that
went with these disarming words The
gloom lifted from his sad face. He even
smiled as he answered frankly;
II like you vastly better than did
naif an nour ago, NeStoNer' w III tha1
do for a beginning"
Thanks. IL Is a gain. ] will put IT
down on my credit side. But To re-
turn to the business in hand. Broxton
ALL could disturb your possession Of 1T. ="
''Yes, 10 return TO the business in hand" q"
For a moment Toms blood rioted in tri-
umph- His eyes flashed with the JOY
of knowing the old place his own once
more. But this phase passed rapidly.
What would II avail him to take back
the old place now? 1t had been sold to
defray his expenses I'm obtaining an edu-
cation. He had spent all that IL had
realized long since. And these men had
spent honest money in an honest pur-
chase so far as they knew. lie had got
beyond the dreamful stage Of existence.
At ono time olivia and Broxton Hall
we're the twin objects OF his alteration.
With Olivia married TO another man the
old Hall would be desolate abiding
place.
His work lay far away in aother state.
His work was all that was left to him In
life. He was glad he liked 1t and that
he was forging rapidly TO the front as an
inventor. The great disappointment
which had darkened all the world for
him did not lie in the loss OF his wealth.
He had already come TO look on that
as a blessing in disguise. He rather en-
joyed owing everything to his own brain
and Drawn. But Olivia-ah. that was
another matter; that was the one ir-
reparable loss that could ever befall him!
No: matters must stand as they were.
Doubtless Olivia az Westover's wife
and mistress OF Broxton Hall would do
better by, the old place than he n sour-
ed anchorite, possibly could. He was
taking his final leave of the old neigh
borhood. Nothing could ever induce him
to revisit the place. He turned to West
over with a wintry smile
II could not consent To reclaim Broxton
Hall unless l could repay the money
you have expended on ii. That I am
very far from being sblr to do even IL
should desire to do IT,"
Westover looked seriously embarrassed.
Perhaps ] am going ahead OF the
hounds. / mean l ought to have waited
TO hear from father before outlining my
course / can still do that, must indeed,
but that paper WAS burning a hole in my
pocket. Every time l looked at you l
called myself a thief BY Jove, / did.
Broxton''
Toms great gray eyes sent a lance
through him. lie blushcd and laughed
nervously.
"oh, as for that, I'll say II was be-
cause you put the ocean between you
and her at a critical moment I never
could have won in a fair stand up, even
race, Tom Girls are odd tricks. Olivia
Is treme endously fond OF you. That
thivery was all fair"
Have you won the sweetest and dear
est girl on earth. ] believe l am glad
we have had this talk. Westover. II
has given me a clearer conception OF the
good in you. I am glad she has chosen
so well. 1t Is not likely / will ever re-
turn to- MandeYille. There is nothing
terry of all my hopes. so you must LET
me offer my congratulations now. is the
day fixed?''
mo. You see, there's been a great
deal else on her mlnd-ours, ] may say
father in Europe. mother in bad health
and all that. But I've never told you
how 1 came by that paper"
Miss Malvina told me the whole story.
There Is nothing for you to tell me-"
Westover flushed hotly.
she was afraid I would not keep my
word about giving II back"
Not at all. She had other papers 20
give me. inventories of plate. pictures.
etc"
Yes. remember. BY Jove, Broxton.
you must have gone Il at a pace while
you were AZ college 10 get through with
everything"
Doubtless did," said Tom. looking
hard at the dingy. hreless stove at the
other end OF the waiting room.
But father says you are to be con-
graduated"
Upon WHAT
Upon an opportunity TO develop your
latent talents. We have been reading
about that invention OF yours. Father
says II II is what you claim for IL Il will
revolutionize the entire system OF cleo
trio lighting in all the big cities and will
make an everlasting fortune for YOU"
II think Il Is all claim for g." said
the young inventor quietly. lie con.
sulted his watch. MY train must bs
late" lie had folded tho paper neatl,
and now handed IL back TO wostover
who declined To take g.
ut IL not mino my dear fellow.
have no claim at all TO IL. n Is yours
What are you going 20 do about it?"
'"...ls." He tore Il into small bits
Yes; but. my dear Don Quixote. tn,
Wraxals. don't you seer"
what steps could I take that wouit
not reflect upon a dead man7 How coult
stir In this matter without holding OH
<lags fafher ffp for crlficlsrn -txor9o c,,