Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1904-12-21

| 'tached to t." He paused a moment,
| cycling Martin, then continued, Eye
might make a dicker with this chap,
mebbe. n I'd low We all ye'd git over
what I call fair price,
| NO." answered Martin, reading the
old hypocrite like book. IF do any
thing about it, shall buy the prop
erty outright, form a stock company,
and go in myself. I'm thinking of
residing here permanently now"
AN what be ye callating to do with
the property if We do?'
why, ia build a pulp-mill and pos
sibly make paper BESIDES" responded
Martin, also seating himself and begin
ming to white That's what my
friend is up to, but he is opposed to
Greenvale for location It's too far
from a railroad"
How'd it strike We if l leased We
the power n sold We land fer a mill?"
"No-o-o," replied Martin, very slow
! ly, as if thinking, 81 wouldn't put any
money into that plan and l know my
friend wouldn't. There might be some
litigation as to title, also, later on
| I'm told it's not quite clear as it is,
and your brothers child, Angie, has
some claim; is that so?"
The diamonds were beginning to
scratch now
That's lie,' returned David, sharp
ly, "an' l kin prove it. My brother
didn't have nothing but debts when
he died an l paid 'em an the lands
mine by will
| oJzo roD1;o5 HTo.+;,
casually, now that he had a fair start,
that your brother was not dead and
has been seen about here within few
years. l hardly believe that, how
| ever"
| For one instant David's wrinkled
| face grew livid, and the hand holding
the whitfield stick shook as with palsy.
Its a lie,' he almost shouted "a
scand'lus lie n told by an middle here
| t. injure me-"
1--WE no doubt of that" replied Mar
tin, smiling calmly at the old miser's
excitement, "but that story has been
told and a stranger coming here will
| be sure to hear it. l am not certain
myself but that your brothers child,
Angie, has some legal claim yet against
your estate--some inherited dover
right It's matter that doesn't con-
Germ me, however. The only question
| is-do you want to sell the Mizzy
power and land above, ard can you
| give me a clear title?"
| 81 kin, n 'cordin' to law replied
David, in an ugly tone, n ez for the
price, what'll ye give?"
How much land do you own above
the falls, and what will you take for
it, and the power?" answered Martin,
facing about and looking squarely into
David's face.
For a moment the two sharp bar
gainmakers glanced into each others
eyes, the sparring at an end, and each
sure the other had been lying
I'll take $4,000 fer the two hundred
n odd acres above n the falls n
both mills returned the elder, dog
gedly
"And I'll give you $4,000 inside a
year, and pay you $4,000 down to-day,
to bind the bargain" admitted the
younger.
David shook his head mo" he said,
81 amt sellin' on them TERMS
| w Gil, L Ill uOI re-
Joined Martin, drawing big roll of
bills into view. Cali l wanted was to
see if l could get an option on the prop
erty and induce my friend to locate
here. I'll make you one more Offer"
he added, returning the money to his
pocket, 'Ill give you $40 for 80 days
option, or you can accept my first
offer" And he rose to go.
David rose also. 1t was a critical
moment. Deep down in his heart he
knew Martins innuendo was true, and
that Angie had legal claim against
him. More than that, it was within
the bounds of possibility that AMI
was still alive. He distrusted Martin
and, consummate hypocrite himself,
believed all 9th ers to be the same; and
yet, here was $4,000 almost within his
grasp. 1t infiamed him and made him
tremble with the miser'S greed-and
$50 600 was all he dared ask the other!
This would-be buyer had undoubtedly
been lying. but the money was a re-
atty. All this flashed through David s
mind as Martin turned away, and av-
arice won!
9TH take yer fust offer" he said
doggedly, IAN we've got to sign paper
now, GREEN to pay the rest inside a
year. or forfeit the $4,000"
I'm satisfied to do that" returned
Martin, smiling serenely, but l also
want a signed agreement from you to
deliver me warranty deed if do pay
the balance inside a year."
And when these mutual distrust pa
pers had been exchanged, the $4,000
counted over three times, with trem-
bling fingers, by David, and Martin
bade him a curt good morning, and
walked away on air; the Mizzy falls
seemed filled with joyous laughter and
the birds never sang so sweetIy be-
fore. His heart was opening anew to
the wondrous miracle of love, and the
1s~Ys Is~lA