The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-11-04
CHAPTER Xxx.

l terminated my holiday with 4 med
ding and muddling. OF course, 1 was
actuated by the best intentions. Every
meddler and muddler Is, otherwise he
might be forgiven.
I made my attempt with no success
on my last evening at Challacombs, 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.
had not seen him for three weeks.
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 a man has aged" In
Mr.. Leighans ease, his hands tretnbled,
he looked feebier, and there was a loss
of vitality in his eyes.
What do you wantT' 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 And her somewhere about-On the
Ridge or down the lane, somewhere"
He turned his head and took up his pen
again. observed that he was porting
over a paper Of figures.
"No, Mr.. Leighan, l 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 il tied to his chair he
is at the mercy Of every one who comes
to waste his time"
spoke to him as eloquently as
could. l told him he ought to consider
how Mary had been his houDekeeper and
his nurse for six long years, during which
he had been helplessly confined to his
chair. If he refused his consent to her
marriage she would 60 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 l shall hnd
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 Sidcots's land Is mortgaged,
As he says he can no longer pay the In
terest, l have sent up the CASE to Lon
don and have got the usual order; he
has six months In which to pay princi'
nav and interest. At the end Of that
time beca use he can't and won't pay, his
land will be mine. AS for what is done
afterward, I promise nothing"
"You will lose Mary for enc thing"
81 have told you that l, In that case
shall hire another person"
every we'll You will have to pay
Narv's fortune to her cousin David be
cause she will marry without your con
sent"
"Have the goodness, Mr.. Will Neither
cote, to leave me to my own affairs"
"Thls affair is mine as well as yours
DO YOU prefer David to Mary7 Yo'
nus+ choose between them, you know.
i've read the will. You think" 1 said
"that David does not know of his aunt
vilI YoH hope that he will 90 ava!
nrnsentlv without finding out" He start
"a and changed color, and In his eyes
road the truth. He thought that Davi
would never find out. 80, MI Lei CHAN,
went on. that Is In your mind. d
| Iivea alone. and speaks to no onei HI
aunt died after he went away; 1t Is yer
nossihle that he does not know anythin
+ ehout It. Good heavens! Mr. LeighaL
were you actually thinking to hide IN
p thing from him, and so to rob him? Yes
to rob Mary first and David after"af
] Of all this money! /
) "What business is it of yoursT b
e Asked. Min
VERY good; I shall tel David:
"Ohl If l were thirty instead OF sever
y tv 7 would" he began, his eyes naSL
: Ing again with all their ancient ire
II shall 90 to David, Mr.: Leighan. l l
i as I believe, he knows nothing about
Won viii see how he will receive tn tn
news. Yes; you shall bs between tn tn
= two; you shall choose between Da''
: Yes: 1 had stumbled on the exa'
= truth a. accidentally as I had stumble
!, on the canvas bag. David did not know
= nor had his uncle chosen to inform M
WtbouSh he was certain from his Ia
, thst he did not know-Of his aunts wi
. SoanIy as It affected him. And am no
. orita certain that the old man thougl
that David would net And out the tEu'