Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-10-16
CHAPTER Xxx.

terminated my holiday with a med
ding and a muddling. OF course, was
actuated by the best intentions. Every
meddler and muddler Is. otherwise he
might be forgiven.
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.
l had not seen him for three weeks.
I 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, and there was a loss
of vitality in his eyes.
What do you want?" he asked, i'm
patiently. you are come for Mary?
Well. she isn't here. You ought to know
that she always goes out after tea. You
will find her somewhere about-on the
Ridge or down the lane, somewhere"
He turned his head and took up his pen
again. l observed that he was porting
over a paper of figures.
NO, Mr.. Leighan. came to see you.
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
Is at the mercy Of every one who comes
to waste his time"
l spoke to him as eloquently as
| could. l told him he ought to consider
how Mary had been his housekeeper and
his nurse for six long years, during which
a hn1 nj 1, T..
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 sub
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 I 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 Sidcote's land Is mortgaged
As he says he can no longer pay the in
terest, have sent up the case to Lon
don and have got the usual order; he
has six months in which to pay princi-
pay and interest. At the end of that
time. because he can't and won't pay, his
land will be mine. AS for what Is done
afterward, promise nothing"
You viii lose Mary for one thing"
~ have told you that I, in that case.
shall hire another person."
Very well. You will have to pay
Mary's fortune to her cousin David. be-
cause she will marry without your con-
sent"
Have the goodness. Mr.. VIII Neither
cote. to leave me to my own affairs"
This affair Is mine as we'll as yours.
DO you prefer David to Mary? You
must choose between them, you know. l
have read the will. You think" l said,
that David does not know of his aunt's
will. YoO hope that he will 60 away
presently without finding out" He start
ed and changed color. and In his eyes l
read the truth. He thought that David
would never find out. $50, Mr.. Leighan,"
l went on, "that Is in your mind. He
lives alone. and speaks to no one; his
aunt died after he went away; It 10 very
possible that he does not know anything
about it. Good heavens! 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" he
asked.
VERY good; I shall tel David"
ooh. II l were thirty instead of seven
ty, would" he began, his eyes fash
ing again with all their ancient fire.
II shall 60 to David. Mr.. Leighan. If
as believe, he knows nothing about It,
you will see how he will receive the
news. Yes; you shall be between tbs
} two; you shall choose between David
!. and Mary"
!: Yes; had stumbled on the exact
truth as accidentally as had stumbled
on the canvas bag David did not know
nor had his uncle chosen to inform hin
, though he was certain from his tall
, that he did not know-of his aunt's will
, deeply as 1t affected him. And am now
quite certain that the old man though
that David would not fnd out the truth