The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-03-21

thing except such another blame fool
rs [ was when | bought?"
There was a suppressed excitement
in Tennyson's manner which aroused
Claudia's curiosity. He took the reins
from her hands and turned the mare
about carefully. III be back here in
three hours or less to talk business to
you,' he said briefly, and after a few
moments silent climb the mare was
trotting along the boulevard again to-
ward Scranton.
How mean of the law to 90 through
a mans pigpen!" cried Claudia. Can
it go anywhere?"
Tennyson gave preoccupied laugh.
Yes, under the laws of Pennsylvania
all kinds of property-with one excep
tion-can be condemned"
Condemned, puzzled Claudia. 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
efface all recollection of the rights O.
eminent domain.
But for once he was mistaken. The
responsibilities of life were weighing
heavily on Claudia and certain reso-
lutions to understand more of economy
and of law were becoming fixed. She
had forgotten to ask Tennyson what
one kind of property was exempt from
condemnation, but there was her ia
Their.
Now, papa, | want to know some
thing" she began, planting her dim
pied elbow on the table as they sat at
dinner
81 never got to the table yet but
what you bothered me with your fool
questions, grumbled Peter Ten Eyck.
Claudia, oblivious of the acidity in
his tone, prefaced her question with
Papa, what kind of property can't the
law go through?'
The DEVIL" calculated Peter. What
are you talking aboutT'
She proceeded to elucidate Now
just suppose a transit company or
something wanted to go through a
mans pigpen"- Peter stared hard.
We'll, you know they can. But there's
one kind of land they can't. What is
it?"
You're enough to turn lawyers
hair white said her father after a
pause. Probably you mean a GENE
terry" Then he gave her shrewd 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 inquiring-
ly. Tapping her cheek thoughtfully
with a forefinger, she responded I'M
blushingly; let Inc see. Was his hair
black or brown"
Ten Eyck grinned despite himself.
Brown"
"Oh, yes with an effort of the mem
DRY. Then it was Ten-Mr Benham."
so | suspected-that nefariOus little
popinjay of lawyer without any prac-
tice who is trying to marry money
NO, he isn't, papa" responded Clau-
dia serenely, for he refuses to marry
me-that is right away" And she ran
away, laughing mischievously.
That very evening Tennyson called.
He was In high spirits. Behold me-"
he said, with a mock heroic bow. at
last am on the highroad to fame and
fortune. am real estate owner"
Really, Tenny," excitedly Enough
to build our house Onf"
Tennyson threw his head back and
broke into a peal of boyish laughter.
There's house on it already and a
pigpen too. | own the land formerly
owned by the man with the gun"
Claudia's eyes grew large and round.
You've bought that horrid, desolate
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. wait until I've
struck it rich on my real estate dear.
and I'll tell you all about It,
With that he supposed his fiancec
was content, but she was not After
his departure she repaired promptly to
the source of wisdom.
Papa, what is there down in the
Mount Hope valley to bring money?
Just supposing you had bought the
land Of that man with the pigpen down
there. what should you expect to get
out Of it,"
The clerk and stenographer ex-
changed glances. Peters brows con
tracted as he snorted. 1.-THE knowl-
edge that | was fool probably" and
Claudia, sadder but no wiser, retired.
Perhaps much learning with no out.
let for it was making Tennyson insane,
she reflected, and her theory was
strengthened on the next occasion of
their meeting, which was on Lacka-
wanna avenue.
Tennyson's face was aglow with ex-
element. His spirits, so often at 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 a
suitable home. So far Claudia's theory
was discredlted. Eut presently they
passed basement laundry out of
which n Hungarian shuff1ed. making