La Junta tribune., 1907-05-18
shoulder. "Jcst that narrcr strip acrost
thprss hot vcpn them vircx -

that. But who'd want to buy the hull
thing except such another blame fool
as was when bouglit?"
There was suppressed excitement
In Tcnuyson's manner which aroused
Claudia's curiosity. He took the rcins
from her hands and turned the mare
about carefully. I'm be back here In
three hours or less to talk business to
you." he said briefly. and after few
moments silent climb the mare wns
ward ScrnntOn.
How mean OF the law TO go through
II mans piypcn. cried Claudia. Can
1t go anywhere!"
Tsnnyson gave a prtOccupitsl laugh.
"Yes. under the laws of Pennsylvania
all kinds OF property-with one exccp'
tion-can he condemned"
Condemned - puzzled Clnudta. '.What
does that mean?"
Tennyson explained. watching with
delight the wise little wrinkle that ap-
peared between the blue eyes and
knowing that twenty -four hours would
eminent domain.
DuV tbT once tie WdS nIhthkCu.
responsibilities Of life were weighing
heavily on Claudia. and certain resO-
lutions to understand more OF economy
and OF law were becoming liked. She
had forgotten to ask rennyson what
one kind OF property WAS exempt from
condemnation. but there was her ia
uier.
Now. papa. want to know some
thing" she began. planting her dim.
pied elbow on the table as they sat ut
dinner
II never got to the table yet but
what you bothered me with your fool
questions" grumblcd Peter Ten Eyck.
Claudia. oblivlous OF the actdity in
his tone. prefaced her question with
Papa. what kind OF property can't the
law go through!''
1.-The devil!" calculated Peter. what
are you talking about"
She proceeded to elucidate. Now
just suppose transit company or
something wanted to go through n
mans pigpen"- Peter stared hard.
We'll. you know they can. But there's
one kind of land they can't. What il
it?'
You're enough to turn II lawyers
hair white" said her father after II
pnusc. ''Probably you mean n Gene
terry" Then lie gave her n shrcwd look
and said nothing more until they had
finished dinner. when he asked abrupt
ly, who were you driving with this
morning?"
Claudia raised her brows inluiring.
ly. Tapping her cheek thoughtfully
with forefinger. she responded I'M
blushingIy: LET me see. Was his hair
black or brown!'
Ten Eyck grinneh despite himself.
Brown"
"Oh. yes.' with an effort OF the men,
ory. ".rhen 1t was Tcn-Mr Bcnham."
so l suspected that nefurious little
popinjny OF n lawyer without any prac-
tice who Is trying to marry money
NO. he isn't. pnpa," responded Cinu-
dia sercneiy. "for lie refuses to marry
me-that is. right awayw And she ran
away. laughing mischievously.
That very evening Tennyson called.
He was In high spirits. Behold mew
he said. with mock heroic bow. AT
last am on the highr0ad to fame and
fortune. nm n real estate owner"
"Really. Tenny." eycitedly. Enough
to build our house on:"
Tennyson threw his head back and
broke into II peal OF boyish laughter
There's II house on 1t already and
pigpen too. l own the land formerly
owned by the man with the gun"
Claudia's eyes grew large and round.
You've bought that horrId. desolntc
looking place. What for:"
Don't tell me, dear. that you wouldn't
like to live there
"Tenny.' she expostulated. but Ten.
nyson evaded all further questions
about his purchase. ''Walt until I've
struck 1t rich on my renl estate. dear.
and I'll tell you all about it,
With that he supposed his tiancee
was content. but she was not After
his departure she repaired promptly to
the source Of wisdom.
..Papn, what Is there down In the
Mount Hope valley to bring money :?
lust supposing you had bought the
land OF that man with the pIgpcn down
there. what should you expect to get
out of it!'
The clerk and stenographer ex.
changed glances. Peters brOws con-
trnctcd as he snorted. "The knOwl-
edge that / was fool probably" and
Claudia. sadder. but no wiser. retired
Perhaps much learning with no out
let for 1t wns making TennysOn insane.
she reflected. and her theory was
strengthened on the next occasion Of
their meeting. which was on I.acka-
wanna avenue.
Tennyson's face was agiow with ex-
element. His spirits. so often Mt zero.
were near the boiling point. He was
ready to discuss their future the prob
abilities OF boarding Ten Eyck soon
in his library and OF the renting Of n