Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-06-27
He glanced 1t Stoddard, who looked

at me.
"Mr. stoddard will DO mo the Kind. |
ness To remain" said and took my
stand besids the chaplain.
"ohi" PfskstfnE calculated scorp,
fully. II didn't understand that yonr
relations With the neiehborins eiersy
were 70 intimate. Your taste ID I'm.
proving. oisnarm."
mr.. ulenarm IL q friend Of NINE"
remarked 5toddard quietly. "A very
particular friend" he added.
II congratulate you--both."
laughed. Pickering was surveying
the room M he spoke,--And stoddard
suddenly stepped toward him. merely,
I think. TO draw up y chair for the
sheriff; but Pickering. not hearing
stoddard's step on the soft rug Until
the clergyman WAS close beside him,
started perceptibly and Redeemed.
II was certainly ludicrous. and when
stoddard faced mo again he was biting
his lip.
Pardon mel" he murmured.
Now gentlemen. will you kindly
state your business? My own affairs
press me-"
Pickering was studying the cartridge
boxes on the library table. The sheriff,
too, was viewing these effects with in
terest not, think, unmixed with awe.
"Glenarm, I don't like to invoke the
law to eject you from this property,
but / am left with no alternative. !
can't stay out here indefinitely, and I
want to know what's I'm to expect"
That is a fair question" replied.
IF 1t were merely matter Of follow
ing the terms OF the will should not
hesitate or be here now. But 1t isn't
the will, or my grandfather, that keeps
me- it's the determination to give you
all the annoyance possible,-to make
It hard and mighty hard for you to get
hold of this house until I have found
why you are so much interested in it."
You always had a grand way in
! money matters. AS I told you before
you came out here, it's a poor stake.
| The assets consist wholly Of this land
and this house, whose quality you have
had an excellent opportunity to test.
You have doubtless heard that the
country people believe there Is money
| concealed here,-but I dare say you
have exhausted the possibilities. This
is not the first time rich man has
died, leaving precious little behind
him."
You seem very anxious to get pos
session of a property that you call a
poor stake" l said. "A few acres Of
land, a half.f1nished house and an I'M
certain claim upon a school teacher"
81 had no idea you would understand
my position" he replied. THE seri-
BUSINESS Of mans oath to perform the
solemn duties imposed upon him by
law would hardly appeal to you. But
haven't come here to debate this
question. When am I to have posses.
sion?"
Not till I'm ready,-thanks!"
"Mr. Sheriff, will you serve your
writ" he said. and looked to Stod
dard for any hint from him as to what
I should do.
II believe Mr.. Glenarm Is quite will
ing to hear whatever the sheriff has tc
say to him." said Stoddard. He stepped
nearer to me, as though to emphasize
the fact that he belonged to my side
Of the controversy, and the sher1ff read
an order of the Wabana county circuit
court directing me, imm ediately, to de
liver the house and grounds into the
keeping OF the executor of the will Of
the estate Of John Marshall Glenarm.
The sheriff rather enjoyed holding
the center Of the stage. and listened
quietly to the unfamiliar phraseology
Before he had quite finished heard ;
step in the hall and Larry appeared a
the door, pipe IN mouth. Pickerin;
turned toward him frowning, but LAIR!
paid not the slightest attention to tn,
executor but leaned against the doc
with his usual tranquil unconcern.
81 advise you not to tribe with tn,
' law. Glenarm," said Pickering. as tn
sheriff folded his paper. You hav'
absolutely no right whatever to b.
here. And these other gentlemen
e your guests. suppose-are equal.
8 trespassers under the law"
e He stared at Larry. who crossed h
I legs for greater ease in adjusting h
g lean frame to the door.
We'll. Mr.. Pickering, what is II
!. next STEP" asked the sheriff.
d "Mr. Pickering" said Larry straigh
ening up and taking his pipe from h
e mouth, I'm Mr.. Glenarm's counsel.
S you will do me the kindness to ask II
/ sheriff to retire for moment l shou
: like to say a few words to you that yc
e might prefer to keep between GU
a selves"
$ ] had usually found 1t wise to tai
any cue Larry threw me. and sail
Pickering, this is Mr.. Donovan. wi
y has every authority to act for me
the matter"
Pickering looked impatiently fro
e one to the other of u.s.
you seem to have the guns. Il
n ammunition and the numbers on 20
m side" he observed dryly.
'e THE sheriff may wait within cal
le said Larry, and at a word from Pic
ering the man left the room.
n Now, Mr.. Pickering. "-Larry spo
lg slowly.-"as my friend has explain
r. the case to me, the assets of his graz
m fathers estate are all accounted for.
OF the land hereabouts. this house. I
at thousand dollars in securities and