Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1905-11-25

lives alone, and speaks to no one; his
aunt died after he went away; it is very
possible that he does not know anything
about it. Good heavensl Mr.. Leighan,
were you actually thinking to hide the
thing from him, and so to rob him? Yes
to rob Mary first and David afterward
of all this money!
what business is It of yours p he
asked.
Very good; 1 shall tel David"
"Oh! if 1 were thirty instead Of pev en-
ty. would" he began, his eyes flash
ing again with all their ancient fire.
Il shall go to David, Mr. Leighan If,
as I believe, he knows nothing about 1t,
you will see how he will receive the
news. Yes; you shall be between the
two; you shall choose between David
and Mary"
Yes; 1 had stumbled on the exact
truth as accidentally as I had stumbled
on the canvas bag. David did not know,
nor had his uncle chosen to inform him
though he Was certain from his talk
that he die not know-of his aunt's will,
deeply rs it affected him. And am now
quite certain that the old man thought
that David would not find out the truth
before he went away again. and 70 he
would keep the money to himself
Don't tell him, WILL" said the old
man, changing his tone. Don't inter
fere between David and me; it is danger
GUS. You don't know what mischief you
may be doing. Az for George and Mary,
l will arrange something. They shall go
on at Sidcote as tenants on easy terms
on very easy terms. But don't tell
David. He is a very dangerous man.
Don't tell him.
Il will not tell him anything, If you
will give Mary your consent"
David will not stay here long. When
he has gone--oh, dear.-when he has
got some more money he will go away
Don't tell him"
You have to give that money either to
Mary or to David. Chooser' I repeat
ed.
"Who are you, 1 should like to know"
he asked, with a feeble show of anger
that you should come and interfere in
family matters? What business is It Of
yours? Go away to London. Manage
your own affairs-if you've got any. You
are not my nephew"
Choose between Mary and David"
Il must have Sidcote," he said, with
kind of moan. He clutched at the arms
of his chair, his face twitched convulsive-
ly, and he spoke feebly. IT have lost so
much lately-I have suffered so horribly
you don't know how, young man, or
you would pity me. 1 have been pun
ished, perhaps, because l was too pros
perous-you don't know how, and you
can't guess. If I lose Sidcote, too, I shall
die. You don't know, young gentleman
1 have suffered"
''Then 1 shell go at once to David and
tell him."
81 must have Sidcote. Do your
worstv' he cried. with some appearance
Of his old fire and energy. "Do your
worst. Tell David what you please, and
leave me to deal with David. l will
He shook his head and pointed to the
door.
1 told David that very evening. He
was sitting at his table, a large open
book before him, over which he was por-
ing intently. He looked up when he
heard my step outside, and shut the book
hurriedly.
"What do you want here?' he asked,
roughly. "Why do you come prying af-
ter me?'
Upon my word, David" I said zone
would think we were old enemies instead
of old friends
Speak up, then" he replied, his eyes
suspicious and watchful as if I was try
ing to get into his cottage and steal
something. "Speak up; let a man know
your business. If you had no business
you would not come here, l take it."
at is business that may concern you
very deeply" 1 said. And then 1 told
| him.
"Well," he said, slowly, II suppose you
mean honest, else why should you tell
me? Perhaps you've got score against
the old man, too. This wants thinking
of, this does. So the old woman had
six thousand, had she? And Mary is
to have it if she marries with her uncle
consent-and If she doesn't, I'm to have
it."
MARY will marry George with or with
out her uncle's consent; l can tell you
that beforehand. She will marry him
within a very few weeks"
Nay" he said, rather than give me
the money he'd let her marry the black
smith,"
At this point l came away, for fear he
might try even to get beyond that posi-
bility; and the mess l had almost made
of the whole business proves, 1 said
before, that there is no excuse whatever
for the best intentions.
(To be ccntinued)
Lucky One.