Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-03-04
CHAPTER XXI.

p y
my cordial assent"
CHAPTER XXI.
Grenville Rose, meanwhile. had early
cognizance of Pearman's arrival, and pre-
pared Mt once for the encounter. He first
ordered a horse to be saddled, and groom
to be IL readiness to take a message to
minister Next he summoned his cousin
10 come TO him in his uncle's sanctlm-
"Maude, dearest" he said as she en-
tered the crisis of our fate is at hand"
What is it Gren?" And the grey
eyes opened wide as she saw the grave,
earnest look upon her lovers face.
"Pearman is here, and your father
is gone to see him. But in a few min
utes | shall be sent for. I'm playing for
Il great stake this morning. Maude to
w.t. the freeing your father from his diff
cultieS. and to win your own sweet self
for mine own love. Listen. James has
got a horse all ready to go for me to
minister. You see these telegram sheets
| shall come here for one minute, and fill
one up with a message. Mind James
has it, and is off with it at once. You
see he does not linger. 1t is of the ut
most consequence to u.s."
Il understand, Gren. Anything more?"
Yes; you may as we'll write Pearman
d polite dismissal, unless you would rath-
or see him"
"Oh, no, I'd rather write"
Well then do so at once and l think
there will be no necessity for your seeing
him. But if you must'-and he looked
a little anxiously towards her.
Il shall know what to say-don't be
afraid of that-though | would much
rather not"
Here Harold Denison entered the room.
jubilant and triumphant.
The overture is played out, Granville.
and the real business of the piece is
about to begin. I've told him you are my
representative in this matter, and that |
am entirely in your hands
Thanks uncle"
And Rose went off to encounter Pear
man. He found that gentleman restlessly
pacing the library. A curt greeting pass
ed between them.
Now, Mr.. Rose, we had better proceed
to business at once. Time is valuable to
me upon this OCCASION
The sooner the BETTER" rejoined Gren-
Vile
Since | last saw you | have been to
town in connection with this affair, and
am prepared to admit that you have a
better case than | at first thought you
possessed. Under these circumstances.
and standing as do with regard to Miss
DcniSon--'
Hadn't we better confne ourselves
solely to the business in hand, and not
advert to contingencies that may never
happen?" interrupted Granville, quietly.
That's it. them" said Pearman coarse
~. Miss DeniSon intends cancelling her
engagement. as part of the program? |
thought as much"
Excuse me if | suggest the propriety
of keeping Miss Denison's name entirely
out of our conversation. That is a mat
ter upon which l have nothing to say
The question lies in nutshell. Do you
intend to ransom your horse, or is that
writ of service, of which you received no
tice yesterday. to be carried into effect?"
Il shall dispute the whole thing. and
place the affair in the hands of my So
lictors"
Very good. Under these circumstances
ii is only right to tell you that l have
already applied for an injunction to pre-
vent your running Coriander for any race
ill the case is decided
Ridiculous. Upon what grounds
pray"
Upon the grounds of possible injury
and probable deterioration of value"
What do you mean?"
What ! say. He might be injured,
or he might be beat: in either case. he
IL
is now"
Pearman said nothing for a minute or
two: at last he exclaimed abruptly, DO
YOU ever bet. Mr.. Rose
Certainly not" was the Jesuitical re-
ply: for though Grenville Rose never
did NEEDLE with turf matters. though he
had not made a single bet on the forth
coming Two Thousand" he was yet
aware that Dallison was betting for him :
albeit he neither knew nor cared to know
SO far. the particulars of the transaction.
You can hardly suppose l shall pay
such sum as 10000. Perhaps you will
state what compromise you really intend
| To offer me?''
Il have none other to propose. than
that you sign Mr.. Denisou a release of
tine mortgage you hold to that amount
| upon Glinu."
All. WE'LL l am afraid you price the
horse little too high
Not at all We value the horse at
| :I.U0O. and the stakes of the Two Thou
sand at $4,000 more"
And who tells you he is going TO win
| :tat racer"
Well. you see" rejoined Granville.
| smiling. I'VE are guided there entirely by
| YOUR own opinion. We are credibly in
| formed that you have thought it worth
| while TO invest a large sum of money
Ga his chance. and we have a high opin-
| iGu of your judgment in such matters"
| To hs ,-,DrIDued