Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-11-28
BY MISADVENTURE
F r A ~ K 3 A r r e T T
CHAPTER V.

about drawing up Flexmore's will from
the draft he had agreed to, and every
word Of it gave me pleasure, for | saw
that it would bring everything right in
the end.
while Lynn Yeames is doubtful as TO
the disposition of his uncle's property"
said l to myself, "he will refrain from
committing himself to an act lal promise
Of marriage. His affair with Miss Kite
will make him prudent in that respect !;
for he'll know very we'll that he won I
get off a second time, if 1 can help it, and
there'll be no uncle to pay the costs. And
when he does knew that his uncle has not
left him a silver, he'll drop Miss Dalrym-
pie; then Audrey will be freed from the
quixOtic obligation he was lured into
making, he will marry Nurse Gertrude,
and all will end like a fairy story"
| was talking to myself in this strain
as [ proceeded to engross the will, when
who should come into my Office but the
very person uppermost in my thoughts
Lynn Yeames.
Il have called to speak to you about
the shooting, Mr.. Keene," said he offer
ing me his hand. Il should like to rent
the shooting for another month, If l
can" he said.
There's no difficulty about that. Sir
&rtlemy We're is going to Scotland, and
shall be only too glad to let the shoot
ing for him-especially as it may keep
you here longer than we hoped for"
He seemed rather puzzled at my civil
ity; he had not received much before. He
looked at Inc keenly, could not make much
by that, and then proceeded 20 look at his
CATERS, tapping them carelessly with his
stick
Il suppose a man could live here for
a couple of hundred year." he said.
In quiet way, he could live on that
sum undoubtedly" said |.
That's all | want. | made fortunate
investment that brings me in about two
hundred. Living with my mother, who
thinks of buying cottage, | hope to set
tie down to a peaceful life. | feel better
already with the prospect of it."
| shook his hand in cordial felicitation,
though it cost me an effort to swallow the
humbug, without making a wry face. But
| saw suspicion in the corner of his blue
eye.
This will be good news indeed for
your uncle, Mr. Lynn" said 1.
DO you think he takes any interest
in meY' he asked, trying to look indif-
ferent.
Il assure you he does. He was speak
ing about you only yesterday-saying how
much you had changed for the better in
the last fortnight. 1t is only natural he
should feel very deeply in this matter,
and watch this change in your character
with keen delight. He is in failing health,
you know l twiddled my thumbs, and
looked at him significantly. You are
his kinsman-remotely. | paused. He
is particularly anxious about the future
of his little daughter" l coughed. And
though he may have unbounded faith in
my integrity, he would naturally prefer
to place her welfare in the keeping of a
relative who could devote himself exclu-
sively to her interest. Up to the present
time | have had the management of your
uncle's estate, but of course it would be
optional on his successor to employ me
as agent"
Il should not wish to take it out of
your hands, Mr.. Keene-that is" he said
quickly seeing the mistake into which he
had been led by the excitement of the mo-
ment, IF the property ever should become
mine"
Thank you, Mr. Yeames. I'm sure
shall be most happy to serve you, as l
have served your uncle, faithfully, and
upon the lowest possible terms"
Il shan't question your terms. Faithful
services should be literally rewarded, in
my opinion"
| thanked him effusively, and sighed as
If l had load taken off my MAD.
oval sin e
course. wish me to divulge professional
confidence; but l may tell you this: Your
uncle has instructed me TO draw up his
will, and this is it." l laid my hand on
the will. And l may add for your fur
Their satisfaction that had your character
been other than he has found it in the
past fortnight, the terms of this will''-
| patted the sheet impressively and drop
ped my would have been very diff
ferent from what they are
He was completely taken in; and SO
overcome with astonishment and delight
to find, as he believed, that he was an
heir. that for some minutes he could not
command his thoughts. but simply an
swered yes or no to my remarks without
really following what it was | talked
about. He was thinking what he would
do with that money when he got it. How
ever, he recovered his self-poSSession be-
fore he left, and when we shook hands in
parting, that cunning look was in his eye
l knew well enough what was in his
thoughts.
~ on old rascal" he was saying to him.
self Il can see now why you were sc
precious civil. You want me to let YOU
go on lingering the fortune when il is
mine" That was just what wanted him
TO believe.
In the evening there came a couple OF
brace of cartridges with his card attach
ed. At the first moment | felt disposed
10 pitch them into the yard, but as tn,
results of second thoughts l ate them
and found them just as good as if l haG
given an honest poulterer half crown
q brace for them.
CHAPTER VI.
| do not know whether l am particu
10 sbarr, in Napatro