Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-11-25
CHAPTER Xxx

terminated my holiday with a med
ding and muddling. OF course, l was
actuated by the best intentions. Every
meddler and muddler Is, otherwise he
might be forgiven.
l made my attempt with no success
on my last evening at Challacombe, when
the old man had taken his tea, and might
reasonably be expected to be milder than
during the press of business In the morn
| ing.
| had not seen him for three weeks.
l was struck with the change that had
come over him during this short period.
1t was that subtle change which we mean
when we say that man has "aged." In
Mr.. Leighan's case. his hands trembled.
he looked feebler, ard there was a loss
of vitality in his eyes.
What do you wantY' he asked i'm
patiently. You are come for Mary?
Weil' she isn't here. You ought to know
that she always goes out after tea. You
VIII md her somewhere about-on the
Ridge OF down the lane, somewhere"
lie turned his head and took up his pen
again. | observed that he was poring
ever paper of figures.
No, Mr.. Leighan, l came to see you.
L have come to see you about George
and Mary"
Go on, then. Say what you want to
say. When a man is tied to his chair he
ls at the mercy of every one who comes
to waste his time"
l spoke to him as eloouentlv az I
could. | told him he ought to consider
how Mary had been his housekeeper and
his nurse for six long years, during which
he had been helplessly confined to his
chair. If he refused his consent TO her
marriage she would go away, not only
from his house. but from the parish. he
| would be left in the hands of strangers
who would waste and spoil his Tsnb.
stance.
Young man." he said, II never asked
for or expected any other service than
what Is paid for. Mary's services have
been paid for. If she goes l shall find
another person, who will be paid for her
services. Mary has had her board and
her bed, and she's done her work to earn
her board and her bed; | don't see any
call for gratitude there: as for good feel
ing, that's my business. Now. young
man, George Sidcotes land is mortgo ped
As he says he can no longer paw the in.
terest, | have sent up the case to Lon
don and have got the usual order; he
has six months in which to paw princ,.
pay and interest. At the end Of that
time, because he can't and won't nav his
land will be mine. AS for what is dona
= afterward | promise nothing"
You will lose Mary for one thing"
Il have told you that I, in that case
shall hire another person"
I s'Xarv Va, will
Mary's fortune to her cousin David he
: cause she will marry without your con
: sent"
Have the goodness, Mr.. VIII Neither
cote, TO leave me to my own affairs"
5 This affair is mine as well as yours
Do you prefer David to Mary? Yol
r must choose between them, you know
have read the will. You think" | said
= that David does not know of his aunt
will. Yos hope that he will 90 AVA.
e presently without finding out" He start
II ed and changed color, and in his ewes
y read the truth He thought that Davi
| would never find out. 80, Mr.. Leighan.
e | went on, that Is in your mind. II
q lives alone, and speaks to no one: hi
q. aunt died after he went away: it is yer
r. possible that he does not know anythin
u about IT,. bood heavens Mr. Lelghal
were you actually thinking to hide tn
lie thing from him, and so to rob him? Ye.
to rob Mary first and David afterwar
ID Of all this money!?
IS What business is It of yoursY h
,e askedl
Very good | shall tel David"
e, "Oh, if | were thirty instead Of sever
in ty, would" he began his eyes flasl
2 ing again with all their ancient fire.
to Il shall go to David. Mr.. Leighan. l
I'd as believe. he knows nothing about
you will see how he will receive Il
as news. Yes; you shall be between II
he two; you shall choose between Dayi
st and Mary"
nj Yes l had stumbled on the exa,
c. truth as accidentally as l had stumble
m on the canvas bag David did not know
he nor had his uncle chosen to inform hi
y though he was certain from his tai
he that he did not know-of his aunts wi
TO deeply as it affected him. And l am no
f. quite certain that the old man though
j. that David would not find out the trut