The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-06-20
.~0S5x1S~61S SSl519CUlRH
CHAPTER XII.

task, he summoned one of the servants to
show him to Mr.. Wylie's apartment. lie
WAS most eager to learn what his visit
BODIED Mr.. Wylie was discussing an ex-
cellent cold collation.. The evening was
drawing in fast but although the weather
was very warm, bright FIRE blased upon
the broad hearth.
"Ah, here you are, Mr.. Stafford y cried
Wylie. Surprised to see me here, no
doubt. Very seldom l get away 20 Tar
from town; indeed, may say, that since
/ entered my profession, ! have never
been 30 far away before. Our business
Is 30 very conining-so unlike yours
Very delightful to be able to roam about
all the lovely spots Of the earth, and 10
combine profit with pleasure"
Here Staford's impatience broke
through all bounds. Excuse my inter
rupting you, but you told me in the pic
ture gallery that you desired to speak
with me on very important matters May
I inouire what those matters aref On-
able to hold back the thought that lay
upon his lips, he blurted out, do you
know ANYTHING about that picture In the
gallery Mr.. Wylief'
(Which pictureT inquired MI "yiie.
1.-THE one of Gree"
mo: I told you so before. But you
evidently know something of it, or want
TO know something Of it." Mr.. Wylie had
been asked the very question ne had Deen
fishing for.
"Who II" stammered Stafford. who
could have now bitten his tongue for CIV
inr utterance to his laundering impa-
tIence. He knew sufficient OF the family
affairs to be aware that Mr.. Wyhe was
no friend to the Griersons and he had
by his indiscretion, aroused in him suspi-
cions of a mystery which might hereafter
work mischief TO Constance. Il was only
thinking of the strange resemblance IL
I. bore to Miss Grierson."
"yerv strange. and so like that, one
.,ioht be almost tempted to suppose fhdt
she sat for it," answered Mr.. Wylie, with
marked emphasis "And now to busi-
ness: for | can perceive that you are
growing very impatient. / have come
down here to consult with Sir Launce
about his sons marriage with my ward
Now. Mr.. Stafford, l know that there
have been certain love passages between
Won and that lady. Suppose, instead OF
her marrying Arthur Penrhyddyn, couio
ca bring matters about that she should
rnarrv Edward Stafford instead"
az do not understand you" said Stat
ford, bewildered.
"The explanation is simple enough" an
.vered Wylie. in the same sharp, decisive
tones. First, answer me honestly an'
bonorablv. without disguise, is it Mis-
Constance Grierson you are in Iove Win
or the heiress|
81 do not consider myself at liberty G
~ al
"Ah, then, it is the fortune, and not IN
aadyr' sneered Mr.. Wylie.
"How dare you speak such words Z
me?p cried Stafford, starting up, no
with passion. Miss Grierson would
the same to me were she penniless
.aTbat is exactly what l want to ge
.tn cried Mr.. Wylie, rubbing his hand
ar tbe success of his ruse. Then 20
would be equally ready to mary ner VII
ar without her fortune? We will TAX
that for granted. Now, as you are, douo'
ao., aware. were Constance to becom
your wife, she would forfeit Der enur
fortune with the exception OF small al
.nuity; but as you are indifferent 10 "a
money, and only want the girl, tnat Woui
mot matter to you. Get her into the sam
way of thinking, and l VIII assist 20
to the utmost to forward the match an
give you a couple of thousands 10 stal
4 housekeeping. As to my motive IN MAJ
ing this proposition, that Is not your col
Germ. Do not answer now THINK oV'
what have said, and give me your rep
In the morning"
Rut Stafford. who had sat motionlei
during this last speech, now rose ITO
his chair, and gave way to the lnoignaliS
that was boiling within him; and IN
burst of passion that positively electi
fed Mr.. Wylie, refused to be party
the bargain proposed.
"If / cannot win her without fraud al
rescbery-without assisting ner enemi
to rob her of her fortune, let me new
1ook upon her face again; and should y
aver again dare TO hint such propo'
ron TO me, will chastise you upon t
spoil
So saving he strobe out of the roo
slamming the door behind him.
Mr.. WyIie had encountered two asto
.,h;nr nhenomena that day-a serva
,rbo refused bribe, and a lover who
Z fused TO marry for a scruple Of conscien
In all his experience he had never G
oountered the like. He felt inclined
alair, with Hamlet, is doomsd
near?" He had committed two serio
ar-ors-shown his cards to wo perso
Tho had refused to play his game b
So trrsted to the fertile resources OF
scbeming brain to quickly redeem th'
mistakes.
"As to that idiot, STAFFORD he m
,e-sd to himself, "he may change
hind BY the morning. Still, | am sol
that he knows so much. What is {
.torv about Eleonore de So'ssonsf So
civ legend, 1 suppose; but they ats
srs,t importance to such things in tn
bsrbarous places. One can never KIN
ZOO much. How came the picture Of
4 De scissors here? What strange
s.mblance, tool There's mystery h
thar | must fathom." Thus, with the
6relight glowing upon his face, and
dark shadows of the night gathered ro'
him. did he sit planning and reyoiv
rev schemes and combinations.
CHAPTER XIII.
Edward Stafford did not leave 70
hxddyn on the morning after his in
Itch Mr. Wylie as he had arran