The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-05-06


traction the old villain found in his
squalid existence. This tenacity was
not approved of by Vark, who had
made Jacobs will, and now wished his
client to die, so that he, as executor,
might have the lingering of the wealth
which Dix was reported to possess. The
heir to these moneys was missing, and
Vark was determined that he should
never be found. Meanwhile, with many
schemes in his head, he cringed to ia
cob, and watched him cough over his
cruel.
'Oh, dear. dear!" sighed Mr. .Vark.
speaking Of his client in the third per-
son, as ne invariably did, chow bad Mr..
Dix's cough is tonight! Why doesn't
he try a taste of gin to mOisten his
thrOat?''
Cant afford it," croaked Jacob
pouring the Cruel into a bowl. Gins
worth money, and money I amt got.
Make me a little present of a glass
Mr.. Vark, just to show that you're glad
of my company
Vark complied very unwillingly with
this request, and poured as little as he
well could into the prOffered bowl
What an engaging man he isl" said
the lawyer, snirking-''sO cOnvivial, so
full of spirits!"
Your spirits!" retorted Jacob. drink
ing his Cruel.
What witt" cried Vark. slapping his
thin knees. It's better than purchi"
"Gin-punCh! gruel-punch!" said Dix,
encouraged by this praise
He, he! 1 shall die with laughing!
I've paid for worse than that at the
theaterl"
More fool you!" growled Jacob, TAX
ing up the tongs. You shouldn't pay
for anything. Here, get Quit I'm go
ing to put out the fire. I amt going
to burn this expensive coal to warm
you. And the candles half burnt, too"
concluded Jacob, resentfully-
I'm gOing-Pm going" said Vark,
slipping his bottle into his pocket. But
to leave this pleasant company-what a
wrench"
Here, stop that stuff, you inkpoti
Has my son answered that advertise
Mr.. Dix's son hasn't sent a line to
his sorrowing parents" returned the
lawyer. "Oh, what a hard hearted off
spring.
You're right there. man." muttered
Jacob. gIoomiIy. "Jimmy's left me to
die alone. curse himi"
Then why leave him your money!
said Vark, changing into the first per-
son, as he always did when business
was being discussed.
why, you fool?-cause he's Hagar's
son-the bad son of a good MOTHER
"Hagar StanIey-your wife-yOur
gypsy wife, Hey, Mr.. DiX?"
Jacob nodded. "A pure blOOded RO-
many. L met her when I was Gro
GUS
"Crocus for Cheap Jackr' whined
Var1; the wit this old man has?'
she came along o me to London
when 7 set up here" continued Jack.
without needing the interruption, land
town killed her: she couldn't breathe
i'm bricks and mortar after the free air
Of the road. Dead-poOr SoulI-dedd;
and she left me Jimmy-Jimmy, who's
left me-"
What a play of fancy began
Vark: when, seeing from the fierce
look of Jacob that compliments on the
score of his dead wife were not likely
to be we'll received, he changed his
tone. He'll spend your money, Mr..
Let him! Hagar's dead, and when
I die-let him"
But my generous friend, if you gave
me more power as executor
you'd take my money to yourself
interrupted Dix with irony. Not if I
know it, you shark! Your duty is to
the estate by law for Jim
my. 1 pay your
But SO IittIe!' whined Vark, rising;
IF you"
At this moment there came a sharp
knock at the door of the shop, and the
two villains, always expectant of the
police, stared at one another, notion /
ess with terror for the moment. Vark, |
who always took care of his skin, |
up his hat and made for the 1
back door, whence, in the fog, he /
could gain his own house unquestioned |
and unseen. Like a ghost he vanished. |
eaving Jacob motiOnless until aroused |
~ a repetition of the knock
Cant be peeler,'' he muttered, tax /
ng a pistol out of cupboard. "but it |
He smiled grimly. and without finish 1
ng his sentence he shuffled along to |
he door, candle in hand. A third |
Knock came, as the clock in the shop
struck II.
who is there, so Iate?' demanded
Jacob, sharply.
Il am-Hagar Stanley
With a cry of terror, Mr. Dix let the
,andle fall, and in the darkness drop-
led also. For the mOment-so much
rad his thoughts been running on the
lead wife-the unexpected mention of
Ter name made him believe that she
vas standing rigid in her winding
Eeet on the other side of the door.
)ne frail partition between the living
md the dead! 1t was terriblel
The ghost of HagarE' muttered Dix.
White and shaking. why has she
i've it was; bricked; with a marble
ombStone."
Let me in! let me in, Mr.. Dix cried
he visitor, again rapping.
She never called me by that name"
aid Jacob, treasured, and scrambling
or the candle; then, having lighted it,
le added aloud: Il don't know anyone
allied Hagar Stanley
open the door and you will I'm
our wife's niece"
Flesh and biood!" said the old man
umbling at the lock-'I don't mind
hat"
He flung wide the door and out of
he fog and darkness a young girl of 20
ears stepped into the shop. She was
fessed IN dark red garment made of
ONE coarse stuff. and over this she
ore short black cloak. Her hands
we're bare, and also her head, save for
riot n f-f