Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-01-21

corner of section S." he made of 1t four
separate descriptions, rs follows: North
west quarter of northwest quarter;
northeast of northwest quarter; south
west of northwest quarter, and south
east of northwest quarter
Tic WINS not so foolish rs to read the
descriptiors in succession, but so scat.
tered them that the clerk, putting down
the figures mechanically. had no idea
! of the amount of unnecessary work he
was doing. The minute hands Of the
clock dragged around. Thorpe droned
down the long column. The clerk
scratched industrlousy. repeating In A
half voice each description as 1t wat
transcribed.
At length the task was finished. II
became necessary to type duplicate
lists of the descriptions. While the
somnolent youth finished his tAsh
Thorpe listened for the messenger boy
on the stairs.
A faint slam was heard outside the
rickety old building. Hasty steps
]
locker merely stopped the drumming
of his fingers on the broad arm Of the
chair. The door few oren, and Wal
lncc CARPENTER walked quickly to him.
Thorpc's face lighted up ~ he rose
to greet his partner The boy had moi
forgotten their compact after all.
"rhcn it's all right" qucrlcd the lat
ter breathlessly.
SURE" answered Thorpe heartily
Got 'em in good shape"
Az tho Same time he was drawing the
yorth beyond the -igilant watchfuneA
Of Mr. Morrison.
you're Just in time" he said in ar
undertone "Nevcr had so close 4
squeak. I suppose you have cash or I
certified check. That's all they'll tax,
here"
what do you mcan2" asked Carpen
.e- blanltly.
Haven't you that money!" returned
Thorpe quick as Il hawk.
For heavens sake, isn't K hereT'
cried Wallace in CONSERVATION. II
wired Duncan. my banker, here last
night and received reply from him
He answered that he'd see to it.
Haven't you seen him."
NO" repeated Thorpe in his turn.
What can We do
"Can you get your check certified
here near at hand!"
Yes"
"Well. 20 do 1t. And get a move ~
you. You have precisely until that hey
there finishes ticking that machins-ns
a second longer
Cant you get them to wait a few
minutes?"
"Wsllsce." said Thorpe. do you So
that white whskered old lynx in tn
correr! That's Morrison. the man VIII.
wants to get our land. If fail Il
plank dow. the cash the very instant +
is demanded he gets his chance. Ant
he'll take it, Now 60 Dsn't hurry IN
til you get beyond the door, then fy."
Thorpe sat down again In his brca,
armed chair and resumed his drum
ming. The nearest bank was six bloek
away. He counted over in his mind ii,
steps Of Carpenters rrrgre>s-new II
the door, now in the next block, now .,
far beyond. Ne had Just escorted hi1
to the door Of the bank when tn
clerks voice broke in en- hin.
Now smithers was saying, I'l
give yeu receipt fer the amount ant
later will send to ysur address the It'll,
deeds Of the descriptions"
Carpenter had yet to And the prope
Official to identify hms.lf, to certif.
the check and return. 1t was hapcis ss
Thorpe dropped his hands in ssrrenae,
Then he saw the boy lay the tw'
typed lists befcre his principal. ant
dimly he perceived that the youth
shamefncedly was hedin. somethln,
bulky toward himself.
"Nh-1hnt is it, he stamm-rcd
drawing his hand back as though from
rcdhot iron.
"You asked me- FOR a telegram" salt
the boy stubhorny, as though tryin,
to cIcuTe himself, and didn't jus
catch The narc anyway. When say
it on those lists l had TO copy though
Of This here"
where did you get it?" aske,
Thorpe hrenthlcssly.
"a fellow came here early and lof
it fer you while | was sweeping out
explained the boy "&ad he had Z
catch a train. LIS yours. all right
amt it,"
"Oh. yes" replied Thorpe.
lie took the envelope and walked un
certainly 10 the tall window. He lool;
I'd out at the chimnoys. After me
mont he tore open the envelope.
Il hope there's no bad news, sir:
said the clerk. startled at the paones
Of the face Thorpe turned to the desk
NO. replied the lard locker. "Glv
me receipt. There's a certified chsc
for your money!