The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-03-27


| Richard fvowned thOughtfully, rose
and began To pace up and down.
"Mr. Cor"igan." he hurst forth, II
haven't told you the worst part OF it.
What makes il the more impossible.
don't see how ! can 1t would be-
well. 1t would be sort OF breach of
confidence" -
| Anything serious?"
"Yes. very. That's why didn't
sleep last night. Matters have come
to such Il pass that | feel must tell
Mr.. Renwyck who | am and take my
medicine like a burglar caught in the
act"
Mr. Corrigan's face fell.
II am exceedingly sorry to hear
that" He thought for moment. then
looked up with n confidential and con-.
| tagious smile. 'See here. | wouldn't
have you betray u confidence for any
thing in the world. my boy. but there
are two ways of looking at every Ques-
ton. Why not engage me as your
lawyer? Every scalawag-forgive me
has n right to counsel. and you need
not hesitate to bare your aching heart.
Come, Dick. III accept one of Lord
Croylands excellent cigars rs a re-
tainer. and we'll get right down to
business"
Richard frightened visibly He
handed cigar held light and said:
"It's whipping the devil around the
stump, | suppose. but see no other
gay out of it. I do need advice. and
need it bad, I'll tell you all about il
on one condition"
The lawyer nodded. pulled at his CT
gar and gn2ed ~ into the thick leaved
tree above W head. while Richard
contihced
The condition is that what am
about to tell You must be kept an alb
solute secret. no matter what your
Judgment happens to be. Promise
that and I'll talk; otherwise I'm
clam"
Dick" said the old gentleman, IT
have followed the legal profession for
thirty-two gears, and few of my clients
have found cause to complain Of my
discretion. This is a first rate cigar,
and I'm going TO earn it. What is
troubling you?"
The moment Mr.. Corrigan understood
the proposition which Mr.. Renwyck
had made to Richard on the previous
evening he choked with laughter until
his latest client was forced to thulnp
him vigorously on the back, while the
balance of the narrative was so pune
tuated with his chuckles and gasps
that it was concluded with some diff
Guilty.
Richard was handicapped in his full
appreciation of the joke, which APP
peared to him TO be very serious mat
ter indeed. When his story was fin
ished he observed solemnly:
you see, Mr.. Corrigan, it's this way.
If keep my mouth shut Mr.. Renwyck
will make it hot. for dad If | tele-
graph dad and give him the tip, why,
just as sure rs gun, he'll turn around
and wipe up the earth with Mr.. Rem
wyck I'm in Il redhot saddle, Mr..
Corrigan, with my feet tied under
meath. I've just got to sit and blister.
l can't see dad done up, but I'd rather
do that than play low down trick on
man who trusts me. And in any
event stand to lose the young lady.
In my place what would you do?"
do" shouted the little man, while
huge tears trickled down his face and
filed the creases of his double chin.
do! Why, I'd do Jacob Renwyck;
that's what I'd do. Go for him, Dicky
bird! ALPS fair in love and Wall
street. He isn't lamb, 1 tell you.
He's a ram, and butter at that!
Shear him, my boy, shear him to the
skinv'
81 can't" said Richard quietly.
Cant! The devil you can't! Why
notY
Mr.. Corrigan," said the Texan ear
nestly, Gin business it may be a COM
mon thing to take advantage of an
other man when you can, and it may
be foolish on my part to decline, but
tell you, sir. If I did thing like that
could never look Miss Harriet in the
face. To me it means more than money
or dad or anything else. I may be a
poor Englishman and a mighty bad
actor, but l can't forget that I'm still
a gentleman"
Richard looked his companion
squarely in the eye and turned on his
heel. He was about to stride angrily
away when he felt two short plump
arms clasped tightly around his waist
and heard laughing voice murmer In
his ear:
ooh, Dlcky, Dcky, what bully
little minister you have spoiled! Sit
down, young man, and let me tell you
one thing soberly." He half dragged,
half pushed Richard to seat upon the
bench and stood above him, resting
two plump hands upon his shoulders.
The laughter now was gone, and in Its
place came wondrous tenderness.
my boy" he said, I'D rather have
seen you as you stood just now than
as the owner Of all deep water har-
bors that were ever dredged. You
came here to win Harriet. and you're
going to get her IL have to sit on
Jacob Renwyck while you run off
with the girl on Hawk-a Ia Lochin-