Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-09-04
CHAPTER VI.

Mary said nothing. Her cousin David
was doubtless a great fool, but people
said unkind things about her uncle's
conduct toward him
III I had not secured his property,
some one else would. 1t is still in the
family. which ought to be a great COM
fort to him. wherever he has gone.
George Sidcote is another-well, he isn't
exactly foul, like David but he doesn't
get on-he doesn't get on. fear very
much-'
Uncle, spare him"
Because he wants to marry you,
child? Is that a reason for interfering
with the course Of business? When the
pear is ripe, it will drop!-if not into my
mouth. into some other mans. Business
before love. Mary"
III l could give my fortune, he would
be out Of his difficulties"
Your fortune, Mary? Where Is it?
What fortune? You have none unless
you marry with my consent. Your for
tune? Why, it depends on me whether
you ever get It, don't say that shall
never consent. Show me the right man
not spendthrft, Mary"
George Is no spendthrift."
Nor a man in debt
"If George is in debt, it is not his
fault"
"A substantial man, and one who
knows the worth of money; bring that
man along, and we will see. If not
well, Mary. l am getting on for seventy,
and l can't last forever, and perhaps
perhaps, | say shall leave you my
money when l die. You can wait till
then. Six thousand pounds is a tremen-
dous big lump to part with. when a man
Is not obliged to part with it. And l am
not obliged to give my consent. No, no;
and after I've lost three thousand-three
thousand! Besides, your comfortable
here; what do you want to marry for ?
What's the good of marrying? Better
stay at home and save money. | give you
your board and your lodging, Mary, while
you are here, for nothing; and your cloth
| ing. too-yes. your clothing" He spoke
as ii many young people had to go with
| out.
Yes. | know She laughed thinking
how much h"r uncle had given her for
dress in the last year or two. well I'M
Gle. but if do marry without your
consent yon will have to give the money
to my cousin David"
Eyes. yes of course. What's the good
of telling me that? But David is dead.
no doubt. by this time and then the
money must remain with me- of course.
But you won't do that. Mary; you'll
never be so wicked as to do that. Be
sides, if you did, David's accounts with
me have never been made up. and |
don't doubt that when we come to look
into them it will be found that he owes
me a great deal still. was very soft
fool>hly soft-with David"
Mary made no reply. Her uncle had
been. indeed. soft with David; so soft
that he had sold him up and turned him
out and now possessed his land.
Mr. Leighan sighed heavily. no doubt
over his foolish softness. and became
silent. 1t was not often that he talked
so much with his niece.
Six years before this. about half-past
nine one evening in the autumn Of the
year 1880 George Sidcote, walking home
found Mr. Leighan lying in the middle of
the road on Heytree Down. His pony
was grazing quietly beside him, and he
was lying on his back senseless. with an
ugly wound in his head. the scar of
which would never leave him. He had
fallen, apparently, from his pony. NJ
susicion Of violence or robbery was en-.
tertained; first. because no one ever
heard of violence at Challa combe, and
secondly. because he had not apparently
been robbed. &c. at least it seemed tc
those who carried him home, for his peck
cts were full Of money, and his watch
and chain had not been taken.
For three days and three nights Danie
Leighan lay speeches. and senseless. and
but for a faint pulse he seemed dead
When he recovered consciousness, the
first Qustions he asked were concerning
a certain tin box containing papers which
he declared was hanging in a bag from
his neck. Now Of that tin box no one
knew anything. Presently, when hs
counted his money, he swors that he Wal
twenty pounds short