Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1906-04-02

no hesitation IN advising you to con-
,lnue as you were going. While Won
wore off at sea we had many letters
from him, all in that sarcastic vein Of
his. but in none Of them did he offer a
word Of criticism. He seemed thor
ourhly satisfied with your methods. In
fact. he once said he'd give a million of
his own money if it would purchase
your ability to spend one-fourth of it"
well. he can have my experience
free of charge. A beggar can't be a
c5ooser. YOU know" said Brewster Bit
terlr. His color was gradually coming
back. What do they know about the
sccretary?' he asked suddenly. intent
and alive.
He was a new one. l understand,
who came to Jones less than a year
AGO. Jones is said to have had implicit
faith in him." said Ripley.
And he disappeared at the same
timo?'
"Thcy were last seen together
Then he has put an end to Jones!'
cried Monty excitedly. "It is as plain
as day to me. Don't you see that he
exprted some sort Of influence over the
old man, inducing him to get all this
money together on some pretext or
other solely for the purpose of robbing
him Of the whole amount? Was ever
. ANYTHING more diabolical?' He began
pacing the floor like an animal, nerv-
ously clasping and unclasping his
Il NV ,,,,cE .aa+oJ 4Jo+ o.,o4 y-f
don't believe Jones was dishonest.
] He has been duped by a clever I'll
drel."
The strangest circumstance of all,
Mr.. Brewster, is that no suchperson as
Golden, the purchaser of your proper
ties. can be found. He is supposed to
reside in Omaha, and it is known that
he paid nearly $500 900 for the prop
erty that now stands in his name. He
paid it to Mr.. Jones in cash, too, and
he paid every cent that the property is
worth"
"But he must be in existence some
where cried Brewster in perplexity
"How could he pay the money if he
doesn't eXist?"
II only know that no trace of the
man can be found. They know nothing
of him in Omaha" said Grant helpless.
ly.
$50 it has finally happened" said
dropped. "Well," he added, throwing
himself into a deep chair, sit was al
ways much too strange to be true
Even at the beginning it seemed like
dream, and now-well, now l am jus
awake, like the little boy after thu
fairy tale. l seem like a fool to hav'
taken it so seriously"
There was no other way" protested
Ripley. "You were quite right"
"Well, after ALL" continued Brewster
and the voice was as of n in {
dream, perhaps it's as well to have
been in Wonderland, even if you have
to come down afterward to the or
binary world. l I'm foolish, perhaps
but even now l would not give it up
, Then the thought Of Peggy clutchet
him by the throat, and he stopped
After a moment he gathered himsel
!, together and rose. Gentlemen" h
said sharply, and his voice had chang
ed, 81 have had my fun, and this is tn
end of it. Down underneath 1 an des
perately tired of the whole thing, and
' give you my word that you will find N
a different man tomorrow. l am goin
to buckle down to the real thing.
am going to prove that my grandf'
y TIERS blood is in me. And L sha
come out on top"
o Ripley was obviously moved as he r
piled: Il don't question it for a M
\. ment. You are made of the right stuf
l saw that long ago. You may coul
on us tomorrow for any amount yO
- need"
Grant Endorsed the opinion. Il lii
your spirit, Brewster" he said. "Thel
are not many men who would hay
taken this as we'll. It's pretty hard {
you, too, and it's a miserable weddir
80 gift for your bride"
I'VE may have important news fro
= Butte in the morning." said RIPPLE
hopefully. "At any rate, more OF Il
details. The newspapers will ha'
sensational stories no doubt, and Y
- have asked for the latest particula
direct from the authorities. Well s
that things are properly investigate
60 Go home now, my boy, and go to be
90 You will begin tomorrow with go
uck at your side, and you may
"a happy all your life in spite of tonigh
depression"
I'm sure to be happy" said Bre
ster simply. 1.-THE ceremony tax
place at I o'clock, gentlemen. | w
hlo coming to your office at 9 on a lit
Of matter of business, but L fancy it wol
o. after all be necessary for me to hurl
I'll drop in before noon, however, a
,od get that money. By the way, he
are the receipts for the money l spe
g. tonight. Will you put them away vi
the Others? l intend to live up to 1
part OF the contract, and it will sa
aon me the trouble of presenting them RI
ularly in the morning. Good mig
gentlemen. l am sorry you were obi
ed to stay m So late on my account