Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-07-30
CHAPTER XxI.-fCoptIpued.,

man, and he could not help being struck
by the ability with which his opponent
had got up his case. Suppose let you
take the horse?" he said at length.
Even then he is valuable horse, and
worth just now fictitious price. There
would be people who would give pretty
nearly that sum to insure his not starting
for that particular race"
81 give you credit, Mr.. Rose" replied
Pearman at length. "I'll sign a release
of the mortgage, with this proviso, that
my engagement with Miss Denison re-
mains as it was"
l have told you already that that
question is totally aloof, and must be
held entirely distinct from the claim of
heriot. 1t is a point upon which l am
not empowered to enter, and have nothing
to say"
Grenvlle Rose is proving himself
master of casuistry. Though not his mis-
zion or interest to speak on that subject,
think it was one he had good deal
to gay to.
Then there is nothing more to be
said," observed Pearman, rising.
II am afraid not. 1t would be better
on both sides, fancy. if we had come
to terms. We shall probably not make
quite SO much-that we must take our
chance Of. You will certainly lose
good deal more"
You're right III do It."
Depend upon it, it's your cheapest way
out of the scrape, and | hope Coriander
will speedily recoup you. Excuse me for
one moment, and III fetch the release.
had it drawn up in the event of your tax
ing q sensible view of the transaction :"
AMI Grenville left the room.
'All right, my pet, SO far" he ex-
claimed, as he entered Denison's private
sanctuary where Maude was anxiously
waiting him. "Pen and ink, quick!" And
seizng one Of the telegram slips, he wrote
rapidly
ITO Mrs. Hudson, Paper Buildings,
Temple. From Grenville Rose, Xmin-
ster Shall be home tonight have some
thing for dinner"
"There fold that up, and send 1t off
directly to the telegram Office. No time
10 be lost, Maude."
well, l don't see much in that" re-
torted Maude. "What a gourmand you
must be. Grenw
"Never mind Where's that deed?-ah
here. I'll explain it all to you sitter
wards"
"And my note?" she said shyly, holding
1t UP.
Neither you nor 1t will be wanted to
day, | think But come back here when
you have seen James off"
Perhaps you'd rather I should never
send it?" she inquired, half timidly, halt
coquettishly.
''Maude, be serious now, please. You
may tease me as much as you like after
wards
She saird nothing, but fitted from the
room on her errand.
Grenville Rose armed with the deed
of release of the mortgage, and simi'
lar acouittance of the heriot claim, all
drawn up in due legal form, quickly re-
turned to Pearman.
Here" he said, is your acquittance
signed by my uncle. If you will sign the
release, I'll hand it over to you. Shall
ring for a servant as a second witness tC
your signature"
Pearman nodded assent, and upon the
appearance of the butler, scrawled his
name across the parchment, to which the
witnesses signed their attestation. Ht
then placed the acquittance in his pocket
took up his hat, and departed without
further demand for an interview with
Maude.
Not that the heriot business had fol
one second put it out of his mind. No
to do him Justice, he looked upon the prob
l. L;.
serious item in the losses the discovery
of that mouldy old parchment had en-
tailed upon him. If he did not love her
he admired her extremely, and looked for
ward to the connection with great eager
ness But he felt quite convinced thai
to have moved any further than he hat
already done would be simply to cancel II
at once. He did not wish that. 1t was
but slender hold, he knew. Still, an
other shuttle of the pack might change al
the hands once more. That slight linz
was better than none at all.
Thus meditating, he drove home, ant
having ordered his phaeton to wait while
he wrote couple of letters, to save the
most. entered the house. In about hall
an hour he reappeared, stepped into the
carriage, and drove to Aminster Sta
ton. His wishing to write those letters
at Mannersley had caused him to make
considerable detour to the station from
Glinn Harold Denison's place lying
though off the direct road, somewhere
about half way between Mannersley ant
the railway, On arrival there he went
into the telegraph Office, and dispatched
message. The clerk and Pearman were
upon rather intimate relations. The late
owner of Mannersey had employed the
electric wire pretty freely. His son, also
was wont to use 1t good deal. The lat
ter. moreover, constantly sent the clerl
game in the season-very often told hin
he had invested a sovereign for MIN OIL
~. 80 h;. boroas that he thought was