The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-10-14
CHAPTER Xxx.

terminated my holiday with q med
ding and a muddling. OF course, I 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
duringthe press of business in the morn
ing.
I 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 a 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 wantr' he asked, i'm
patiently. you are come for Mary 4?
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. I observed that he was porting
over a paper Of figures.
mo, Mr.. Leighan, came to see you.
I 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 ono who comes
to waste his time
l spoke to him AZ eloqusntly a.
could. l told him he ought to consider
how Mary had been his housekseper 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 80 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 il paid for. Mary's services have
been paid for. II she goes l shall and
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; I don't see any
call for gratitude there: az for good feel
ing, that's my business. Now, young
man, George Sidcote's land il mortsa rad.
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-
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 IL done
afterward, promise nothing"
''You will lose Mary for one thing"
II have told you that I, in that case,
shall hire another person"
Every we'll. You will have to IA '
Mary's fortune to her cousin David. he
cause she will marry without your con-
sent"
"Have the goodness, Mr.. viii Neither
cote, to leave me to my own affairs"
This affair il mine as well az you're
Do you prefer David to Mary7 You
must choose between them, you know. I
have read the will. You think" | 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
read the truth. He thought that David
would never find out. $50, Mr.. Leighan, /"
went on, shat IL In your mind. He
lives alone, and speaks to no one; his
aunt died after he went away; Il n 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 90 to rob him7 Yes;
to rob Mary frst and David afterward
Of all this money!"
"What business il 1t Of yoursr' he
askedl
VERY good: shall tel David"
"Oh! II were thirty instead Of seven
| ty, would" he began. his eyes fash
ingeagain with all their ancient flre.
Il shall 50 to David, Mr.. Leighan. II,
a. believe, he knows nothing about it,
ron win see how he will receive the
news Yes: you shall b between the
two; you shall choose between David
and Mary"
Yes; had stumbled on the exact
truth ~ accidentally a had stumbled
on the canvas bas. David did not know,
nor had his uncle chosen 60 inform him
Though no WAS certain from his talk
that he did not know-of his aunt,s WIN,
deeply g Il affected him. And an now
quite certain that the old man thought
that David would not and out the truth