Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-02-03

might be forgiven.
| made my attempt with no success
on my last evening at Challac)mbe when
the old man had taken his tea, and might
reasonably be expected to be milder than
during the press Of business II 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 tagged" In
Mr. Leighans case. his hands trembled,
he looked feeber, and there was a loss
of vitality in his eyes.
What do you wantY' 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. | observed that he was porting
over a paper Of figures.
mo, Mr.. Leighan. | came to see you.
l 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"
spoke to him as eloquently as |
could. | told him he ought to consider
how Mary had been his housekeeper and
his nurse for six long years. during which
he had been helplessly confined to his
chair. II he refused his consent Ito 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, 81 never asked
for or expected any other service than
what Is paid for. Mary's services have
been paid for IL she goes | 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 h.r bed: | don't zee any
call for gratitude there; as for good feel
ing. that's my business. Now. young
man, George Sidcote's land Is mortgag ed
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 cant and won't pay. his
land will be mine. AS for what is done
afterward, | promise nothing"
you will lose Mary for one thing"
81 have told you that l, In that case.
shall hire another person"
VERY we'll You will have to nav
Marys fortune to her cousin David. be-
cause she will marry without your con
sent"
NTIova tho yoodpsaa NJ. WIN 49,
cote. to leave me to my own affairs"
This affair is mine as we'll as yours
DO you prefer David to MaryY You
must choose between them, you know. I
have read the will. You think" | said
that David does not know Of his aunt's
win. Yos hope that he will go 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,"
l went on, that Is In your mind He
lives alone. and speaks to no one; his
aunt died after he went away; It is 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 him7 Yes.
to rob Mary first and David afterward
Of all this money!"
"What business is 1t Of yoursT' he
asked.
VERY good; shall tel David"
"Ohl IL | were thirty instead Of seven
ty, would" he began. his eyes flash
ing again with all their ancient fire.
81 shall go 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 the
two; you shall choose between David
aud Mary"
Yes; l 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 him
though he was certain from his talk
that he did not know-of his aunts will,
deeply as it affected him. And am now
quite certain that the old man thought
that David would not find out the truth
before he went away again. and so he
would keep the money to himself
Don't tell him, Will" said the old
man, changing his tone. Don't inter
fere between David and me; It is danger
GUS You don't know what mischief you
may be doing. As for George and Mary.
| will arrange something. They shall 20
on at Sidcote as tenants on easy terms
on very easy terms. But don't tell
David. He is very dangerous man.
Don't tell him."
81 will not tell him anything. II you
VIII give Mary your consent"
David will not stay here long When
he has gone-oh. dear.-vhen be has
got some more money he viii 80 away.
Don't tell him."
"You have to give that money either to
Mary or to David. Choosew | repeat
ed
"Who are you. should Ike to know"
he asked, with feeble show Of anger
that you should come and interfere In
family mattersl What business Is II OF
yoursf Go away to London Manage
your own affairs-if you've got any. You
are not my nephew"
Choose between Mary and David"
81 must have Sidcote," he said. with
kind Of moan. He clutched at the arms
Of his chair, his face twitched convulsive-
ly, and be spoke feebly. Il have lost SO
much iately-I have suffered so horribly
you don't know how, young man, or
you would pity he. | have been pun.
ished. perhaps, because l was too pros.