Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-07-10

which, 1t is needless to say, he wouid
gladly have complied.
81 don't suppose you know how | am
situated-I mean in relation to my faith
er's estate. 1t is not certain that my faith
er left anything" said Walter, thinking
it best to reveal everything at once
WHAT" exclaimed Mr.. Drummond,
his lower jaw falling, and looking very
blank.
my father made some investments re.
Gently that turned out badly"
But he was worth very large prop.
erty-it can't all be lost"
II am afraid there will be very little
left, if anything. He lost heavily by some
mining stock, which he bought at high
figure, and which ran down to almost
nothing"
There's the house left, at any rate"
"My father borrowed its value, under.
stand; am afraid that must go, too"
Now, at length, it flashed upon Mr..
Drummond how he had been taken in. He
thought of the attentions he had lavished
upon Walter, of the extra expense he had
incurred, and all, as it appeared, for a
boy likely to prove penniess. He might
even expect to live upon him. These
thoughts, which rapidly succeeded each
other, mortified and made him angry.
why didn't you tell me this before
young mann" he demanded with asperity
His change of tone and manner showed
Walter that Joshua was entirely right in
his estimate of his fathers motives, and
he in turn became indignant.
when did you expect me to tell you
Mr.. Drummond?" he said, quickly. 81
only arrived yesterday afternoon, and
tell you this morning. ! would have told
you last night, if you had been in the
house."
"Why didn't you tell me when | was al
Willoughby?"
Il had other thinks TO think Of" sait
Walter, shortly. "The thought of my
fathers death and of my loss shut out
everything else"
"Well, what are you going to do?" ask
ed Mr.. Drummond in hard tone.
81 shall have to earn my own living,
am not afraid"
THAT is a good plan," said Mr.. Drum
mond. who knew Walter so little as tC
fear that he wanted to become dependent
upon him. when l was of your age
had my own living to earn. What do yor
propose to do?"
Have you a vacancy for me in youl
store? Joshua told me you wished him t.
go in"
"You couldn't earn much, for yor
don't know anything of the business"
81 should not expect to. | am perfect
ly willing to work for my board until
find out how my fathers affairs are goini
to turn out"
This proposal struck Mr.. Drummont
favorably. He judged that Walter woult
prove a valuable assistant when he wa
broken in, for it was easy to see that HI
had energy. Besides, 1t was desirable t
keep him near until it was decided wheth
or Mr.. Conruus affairs were really in
bad a state as his son represented. Eve
il few thousand dollars were left, MI
Drummond would like the handling o
that sum. Then. again, no one knew bet
ter than Mr.. Drummond that Walter
board would cost him very little; for,
course, he would at once return to hi
usual frugal fare.
Every WELL" he said; you can go int
the store on those terms. As you say
you've got your own living to earn, ant
tho sooner you begin the better"
Walter had not said this, but he agreed
with Mr.. Drummond. 1t may be though
strange that our hero should have bcel
willing to enter the employment of sucl
mean man; but he thought it wisest t.
remain in the neighborhood until he coul'
learn something definite about his father
affairs. He prepared to go to work
once. partly because he didn't wish to b
dependent, partly because he foresaw tina
he should be happier if employed.
When Mr.. Drummond and Walter ca m
out of the parlor, Joshua was sitting il
the next room, and looked up eagerly t.
see how his father bore the communica
ton. He was disappointed when he say
that Mr.. Drummond looked much a
usual
Conrad has been telling me-" said MI
Drummond. ''that his father lost a GOO
deal of money by speculation, and it i
doubtful whether he has left any prop
erty."
81 am very sorry" said Mrs. Drum
mond and Walter saw and appreciate,
her look Of sympathy.
"As he will probably have to work TO
living he has asked for a place in m.
store" pursued Mr.. Drummond, land
have agreed to take him on trial Con
rod, you may get your hat and come owe
at once"
Joshua whstled in sheer amazement
The affair had by no means terminated a
he anticipated.
Ito be continued.)