Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-01-09
CHAPTER Xy.-(Continued.) J

CHATTER AF.-( Continued
1t was for Lynn, not for himself. he
wanted the farm. l saw now why he
had pitc>.ad upon that particular one; he
was also aware that it was side by side
with the Dingle. If anything could pro-
mote the union of Lynn Yeames and Miss
Dalrymple, it was this propinquity for
here, he must have reflected. the young
man would be urged to do his best, that
she might see he had the good qualities
the energy, the resolution which he pre-
tended to possess.
In the evening | went over to the doc
tors house to see if l could pick up any
news, and by a happy chance he was at
home. He welcomed me heartily.
Il have seen the captains farm. 1t
will do admirably. l will get you to ar
range the terms With him as early as
possible" he said.
| nodded gloomily Ny want of enthu-
siasm now, contrasting with my warmth
in the morn .ng, was too noticeable to es-
cape him. Like all good fellows, he was
keenly alive to the humorous aspect of
things, and | saw a twinkle in his eye
as he turned to poke the fire.
you don't seem so eager about it as
you were, Keene," he said, with a smile.
mo; l was fool enough to think you
were going to take it for yourself"
And you have found out that the flu
ture tenant is to be be Lynn Yeames"
We'll, let me hear what you've got to
say" said /. turning round, with a re-
solve to be as impartial in my dealings
with YeaneS as if he were unknown to
me.
u have no right to any of this money
virtually" he said.
Il won't admit that to begin with" l
replied. 'Flexr,ore willed the money to
you, and signed his will when he was in
health, and had the ability to reason the
decided upon when he was sick and
unable to reason upon it."
You will admit that in either case
he intended this money to go to the man
Miss Dalrymple should marry"
assented to this proposition, and he
continued 1T is no longer a question
whether l shall marry her-that is set
tied forever
Well, if he will only work heart and
soul for his own sake, it's as much as
can expect of him. Let him begin with
that; we shall see about the rest. You
have spoken to him on this subjectr
Yes; we went together to look at the
farm this afternoon. He is delighted with
1t, is confident of success, and eager to
begin
| was not surprised to hear this. Every
one thinks he has the wit to make a farm
pay by just riding about on a cob and
giving orders; and to be a gentleman
farmer" is the desire of a good many
lazy young gentlemen-especially when
there's good shooting in the neighborhood,
and a comfortable house, with an excel
lent billiard table in it.
IF you are still resolved on parting
with your money, l think | see how it
may be done without too much risk, -
said |. I'VE will start with the idea
that when Flexmore House is sold, the
Dingle Cottage paid for, and everything
squared up, you have two thousand a year
to dispose of for nine years from this
date. Half of that must be put away as
a reserve fund. Out of the other half
you must pay Miss Dalrymples salary
and the expenses of Laure and the Cot
tage-say, roughly, four hundred a
year. That leaves six hundred to meet
the losses on the farm and pay interest
on the capital invested on going in.> II
Ieames makes farming pay, so much the
better for him; he can pocket the profit
and the six hundred can be added to the
reserve fund"
and what is to be done with the re-
serve fund.-"
I'm coming to that. At the end OF
nine years, when Miss Dalrymple ceases
TO be Laure's guardian, the reserve sum
shall be drawn out and paid over in q
lump to Miss Dalrymple if she is single
or to her husband if she is married. Here
is an inducement for Yeames to develor
his fine qualities, to work hard and win
Miss Dalrymple, for then he will come
in for the whole amount arising from the
bequest. Now, there's an arrangement ad
vantageous enough for Yeames in all con
science. 1t does not benefit you one
penny piece, and so ought to be accept
able: and it carries out Flexmore's last
wishes to title"
That seems capital arrangement,
said Audrey cheerfully. 81 should thinl
Yeames would be pleased with it"
HE ought to be- said l.
But | was very doubtful whether h,
would be; for a greedy man would no
be satisfied with ten thousand year, i
he thinks he may by hook or by crool
get twenty.
However, he had the grace to express.
entire satisfaction with the arrangement
when Audrey explained it to him. and tn,
doctor babe me conclude negotiations will
Captain Ranger as quickly as possible.