The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-04-11
ward scunton

Condemned. puzzled Claudia. "Wha
does that meanY'
Tennyson explained. watching wild
delight the wise little wrinkle that ap
I pcaroi between the blue, eyes ant
knowing that twenty -four hours wouit
efiaee all recollection OF the rights ol
eminent domain.
But for once he was mistaken. Ths
responsibilities Of life were WEIGHING
heavily ON Claudia, and certain reso
lutions 10 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 "a
ther,
Now. papa. want TO know some
thing" she began. planting her dim
pied elbow on the table ~ they sat sl
dinner
Il never got to the table yet but
what you bothered me WIKI your fool
questions" grumbled Peter Ten Eyck.
Claudia, oblivious OF the acidity In
bis tone. prefaced her question with
Papa. what kind Of property can't the
law go throughr'
The dewitt" calculated Peter. what
are you talking aboutr'
She proceeded to elucidate. Now
just suppose transit company or
something wanted to go through n
mans pigpen"- Peter stared hard.
well, you know they can. But there's
one kind OF land they can't. What Ia
itr'
You're enough to turn q lawyers
hair white" said her father after
pause. Probably you mean 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
morningi"
Claudia raised her brows inquiring.
ly Tapping her cheek thoughtfully
with forefinger, she responded un-
blushingly; LET me see. Was his hair
black or brownr'
Ten Eyck grinned despite himself.
Brown"
'Oh, yes!' with an effort Of the men,
ory. Then 1t was Ten-Mr. Benham."
$50 suspected-th nefarious little
popinjay Of a 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
is, right awayw And she ran
away, laughing mischievously.
That very evening Tennyson called.
He was in high spirits. Behold mew
he said, with n mock heroic bow. AT
last ! am on the highroad TO fame and
fortune. nm real estate owner"
"Really, Tenny," excitedly. Enough
to build our house onT'
Tennyson threw his head hack and
broke into peal Of boyish laughter.
There's n house on It already and a
pigpen too. own the land formerly
owned by the man with the gun"
Claudia's ewes rrew ,.-ss .aa ..-.a-'
you've bought that horrid, desolate
looking place. What forT
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 II rich on my real estate, dear,
and III tell you all about It,"
With that he supposed his fancee
was content, but she was not. After |
his departure she repaired promptly to
he source Of wisdom.
Papa. what Is there down In the |
Mount Hope valley to bring money? |
lust supposing you had bought the
and Of that man with the pigpen down
here, what should you expect to get |
,ut Of itr'
The clerk and stenographer ex-
hanged glances. Peters brows con-
.racted as he snorted. "The knowl-
.dge that ! was a fool probably" and
sadder, but no wiser, retired.
Perhaps much learning with no out.
ct for II was making Tennyson insane.
he reflected, and her theory was
on the next occasion of
heir meeting, which was on Lacka-
wanna avenue.
Tennyson', face was aglow with ex-
ltement His spirits, 80 often at zero.
we're near the boiling point. He was
eady to discuss their future, the prob
Utilities Of boarding Ten Eyck soon
n his library and Of the renting Of
ultable home. So far Claudia's theory
vas discredited But presently they
'assed basement laundry out Of
which n Hungarian shuffled, making
igns to Tennyson.
"Will you walk on slowly, Claudiai
won't be here but moment" said
he latter hurriedly, and Claudia di
IL he requested
In a moment he had rejoined her.
lis face beamng. AT last I've secur-
4 one" be exclaimed.
"WhatY' asked Claudia curtously.
"A corpser' was the astounding re-
ponse, at which Claudia stopped short
nd gasped. too amazed for speech,
A spice OF mischief crept into Tenny-
on's voice and shone In his eyes MS he
ontinued "And II came dirt cheap
90. I've got Is left to conduct the
unerai. oh, tell you. Claudia. I'll
nake It yetr'
Make whatY' breathed Clssfia In
orriiied whisper.
That's n secret, a dead secret" was
be prompt rejoinder
Il can keep a secret"
''Of course you can, dear" Then un-
allantly, But so canI."
And he thought he was keeping IT,
o also thought Claudia and was deep
? grieyed over II.
A note from Tennyson the next day.
owever. nlleviated her grief, but I
reused her curiosity. Dearest" II
In, Il know I ought not 10 give you
q inkling Of the truth and not tell u
II. but when II can be told you will un'
erstand why must keep my secret
Claudia had never read NOTE Of his
here anticipation 10 bubbled over be- n
seen the lines. Therefore she wss un-
ret,s raj far hia at,neA rance when sey. I