The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-05-12
!: BY A MINUTE! Z
By CLARA LOUISE BURNHAM.

i'Noiutu' Jun IllHhlty nus WdHleu
money pretty bad lately, and they do
say Satan takes care Of his own. Any
way, he must have put that very idea
into Jim's head. Jim probably looked
the matter up found things just as he
expected. got customer for Forest
Farm and sold it," Squire Winslow
misunderstood the abstracted thought
fulness that changed his visitors face.
Brace up, my boy" he said kindly.
Get back the grit I saw OH your eyes
minute ago, and perhaps wen beat
Jim yet" He caught his watch from
his pocket. mo" he CALCULATED, you
can't get the deed and catch the last
train TO Lowell"
"What-whats the ideal" asked
Ezra, sitting up, alert again.
why, the stranger said he'd just
bought Forest Farm. It's likely he's
taking a look at the property before
recording his deed. If he records his
first, you've lost the farm; but If you
could in any way get yours i'll
II see! Ezra sprang from his chair,
a light flashing all over his face.
Squire WinsIow still held his watch
in his hand and his mouth open when,
three steps at a time, the yOdng man
was fleeing down the stairs.
Bless me" muttered the lawyer, and
his own hand trcmbled with excite
mcnt "a he reached for his hat and
followed after, as swiftly as his older
limbs would carry him.
Ezra reached home in m incredibly
short period. Mrs Burchard saw him
coming, and was startled by his look
She had a kindness for her daughters
lover, but did not dare to side with him.
where's the key to Mr. Burchard's
dcsk?" he cried.
"In It's place. she answered, appre.
hensively.
$50 it is," he gasped with relief. feel
ing behind the secretary and producing
it. II saw Helen out by the barn. Tell
her to saddle Mark! Quickly, please"
Has Mr. Burchard--" she began.
Quick implored Ezra, rummaging
among the papers with desperate eager
ness
She obeyed and returned Where
are you going, Ezra FairfaxY
"To Lowell"
con Mark? what will Mr. Burchard
say? You know how Mr.. BurChard
feels about that colt"
Here it is" exclaimed Ezra joy
ously.
"WhatY
"The deed to Forest Farm. There's
n purchaser" The young man
dashed out of the house, leaving the
desk in confusion, and ran to the barn
Helen was tightening the saddle
girths.
What is this for?" she asked, catch.
ing the excitement in his face.
It's the only chance! | can't talk
he exclaimed lie kissed her, sprang
on the colts back, and galloped Off.
Helen, that boy is crazy cried Mrs
BurChard in distress, running out tC
meet her daughter. You don't sup
pose he would dare to try and sell For
est Farm! He has carried the deed
Off"
Trust Ezra" said Helen stoutly. al
do" But her heart thumped. and she
too, felt more troubled than ever be
fore in her life. Might Ezra really
have brooded over his troubles unit
his mind had become unhinged?
Meanwhile the swift colt had met tn,
Squire on the road, and the rider haC
rcined up.
Silently he handed down the deed
which the old man examined eagerly
Just as | thought" he said curtly
mot recorded Have you money? No
enough, perhaps for everything, Here
| take this
Ezra accepted the bill, and the brie
| instructions which the lawyer went oi
! 10 give him.
Better tell the BurchardS. | guess
They'll worry either way. Thank YOU
Squire Winslow" Fairfax swiftly ben
and wrung his old friends hand,
God bless your returned the oil,
! lawyer unsteadily.
1t would take too long to describe tn
details of that ride. The road was
short cut compared to the roundabou
way by rail from Edgcomb 70 Lowell
The brave colt did his best, rolling a,
eye around occasionally rs il to as
why. when so many steep hills ha
been travelled. he was still urged on
but when, faded and worn, the tw
tnally reached Lowell the Registry O
Deeds was closed. Ezra's voice wa
| H. q
arrival of the last train from Edgcoml
He found that IL was in. but Il. to,
had arrived after the registry hours
His chance still remained.
He saw to his horses comfort; bu
for himself there was no sleep ths
night. Too much hung in the balance
With the first rays of dawn he wa
walking about the street, waiting fC
the appointed hour.
lie turned his steps toward the be-
hotel In the place. and lounged near ,
breakfast time. but did not see N
face he sought among the guest
suppose the strangers deed had a
ready been recorded before that .
perimental visit to Edgcomb! Ell
! set his teeth.
But . clock drew on. lie dar,
, llnger no longer near the hotel. N
. moved away toward the Court Hous
{ The hour sounded from the steepl
? The bell electrified him aud he hurri,
on: but suddenly a sight more movii
;. till caught his view. A well-dress,
D man. whom Fairfax recognized on
$ too certainly. had just ascended q
o | atoms aud was entering the reoist1