The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-01-22

cause Nellie's Improvement is so slow
But have a little patience. I will talk
with Nellie. She may not wish to sell q
tiut you agree, Go you not, that II
is the best thing to do?"
'Oh, l quite agree with you. l think
can gain her consent
On the following day Nellie was
strong enough to talk.
The judge sent everyone else away,
and sat down by her bedside.
Now my dear he said in a low
voice that could not be heard outside
the room, you have been very sick,
and l do not wish to excite you. But
things are happening every day that
make it necessary for you to brace up
and lend a hand III little business L
have been working at.
-'Of course, there is much to be e.
planned We all owe you MANY apollo
gies, and time must show how we re-
Sret the stand we took in that-that
matter. You We're brave little girl,
and everybody loves you Now your
your brother Spencer wishes you to sell
the farm, and go with him to city to
live. The ranch is in good order, and
with good management will be finer
property than Hubbick made it. What
is your wish?''
'If-you and Mrs. Gordon-and Alice
win love rle-and be my friends-I don t
want to sell L want to live here
Wei, we'll said the judge with
suspicious haste. we win stand by you,
of course. But you must do just what 1
tell you You must not breathe a word
to any one-not even Alice
Then followed a few whispered words
that made NeIlie's eyes open and the
color come to her cheeks.
Are You strong enough? Can you
stand it?'' asked the Judge
Yes she said, with closed eyes and
painting bosom.
The judge departed, and had little
more law business with Forbes, the
new sheriff.
Then Thorne had a talk with Gordon,
and rode out to look at his new claim
When he returned from Big Elk Can
yon. he stopped at Gordon's house
''AlI right" he said Tomorrow at
ten The judge nodded
The nexr morning the judge forbade
his wife and daughter going out TO see
Nellie
We've some important law business
on hand he said, land it might make
too much excitement
Its a shame,' declared Alice. You
are going to compel her to sell the
ranch"
Am To- chuckled the judge. Wait
Let me tell you something, my dear
You, as well as myself. and your
mother is also included, must learn to
think a little, more deeply We are apt
to leap to conclusions I've made some
mistakes in my life, but none that l
have enjoyed rectifying as much as the
one I'm working on now Wait To-
morrow, or perhaps this afternoon, you
may go OUT to Nellie's-
Then the judge began to fly round
on his horse. He saw Forbes. and they
laughed together
He saw a man who rode away toward
Big Elk Canyon. Then he and Thorne
started on a jog for the ranch.
Well said the judge TO Deckton-
1--WE got good news for you 1 have
found a buyer for the place. I've
brought along a contract and expect
him here about 10 o'clock
Good rejoined Deckton- And Mel
lie is strong enough now to be moved
will get the wagon ready and buy
another horse I got one back from
Gavin. but the one that fool Charlie
rode away on I have lost
.-Oh. he's queer chap" said the
Judge. He is likely to show up at the
last moment
NelIie's cheeks were white and red by
turns, and she kept her eyes fastened
on the Judge. Kate Deekton was busy
preparing a dinner for all parties
Thorne walked around and smoked
He had suddenly found that his medi-
cines were not needed
You are a better doctor than 1 am, -
he whispered to Gordon Then he add
eG-'-in some cases.
'-HelIo.'' There's Forbes going by,
said the judge, making the discovery
because he sat looking out of the Win
dow. ct wouldn't be a bad idea to
have him in as witness Call him
in, Thorne-"
Thorne went to the porch and gave a
tremendous haloo.
Hey. Come in herei Gordon wants
you
I'm in a hurry" he said; but I sup
pose one must wait on the judge. What's
| up2''
Going to sell out" said the judge. Of
| fering the new sheriff a cigar. sit
down and wait and sign as witness
| Forbes sat down to wait
L
quently wandered toward Big ELK way
and suddenly he got up and went into
| the sitting room.
| Now COME said the Judge Gather
round me and I viii read this contract
TO you
Deckton, Welmer, and Kate gathered
| near him
"Oughtn't Nellie to hear it?' asked
! Deckton.
! TO be sure. How thoughtless 1 an
/ getting said the judge.
He led them into Nellie's bedroom
where he wanted TO have them There
was no window looking out on the road
from this room.
The judge began reading. There wa:
| TO one in the party who could tel
whether it was really a contract or not
| Anyway, the words the judge useC
We're full of significance relating to par
GELS of land. townships, cattle, herds
and a lot more. 1t sounded as if Nellie
| was selling her right to live.
! But she seemed not to hear anything
| Her ears Were strained-for something
| else.
|