Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1909-03-11
CHAPTER XXI.-(Continued.)

Pearman paused. He was shreWd
man, and be could not help being struck
by the ability with which his opponent
had got up his case. Suppose let you
take the horse?'' he sid at length.
Even then he is valuable horse. and
worth just now fictitious price. Theirs
would be people who would give pretty
nearly that sum to insure his not starting
for that particular race"
Il give you credit, Mr.. Rose" replied
Pcarman at length. 'Tll sign release
of the mortgage, with this proviso. that
my engagement with Miss Denison re-
aims as it was"
have told you already that that
question is totally aloof. and must be
held entirely distinct from the claim of
heriot. 1t is point upon which ] am
moi empowered to enter, and have nothing
to say"
Grenvlle Rose is proving himself a
master OF casuistry. Though not his mis-
zion or interest to speak on that subject,
| think il was one he had a good deal
to my TO.
Then there is nothing more to be
sail observed Pearman. rising.
Il am afraid not. 1t would be better
or 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 a
good deal more"
You're right I'll do it,"
Depend upon it, it's your cheapest way
ou' of the Scrape, and l hope Coriander
will speedily recoup you. Excuse me for
on" moment, and I'll fetch the release. |
had il drawn up in the event of your tax
ing n sensible view of the transaction :"
and Grenville left the room. .
All right, my pet SO far" he ex-
claimed. as he entered Denison'S private
sanctuary where Maude was anxiousy
waiting him. Pen and ink, quick And
Selling one of the telegram slips, he wrote
RAPIDLY:
TO Mrs Hudson, Paper Buildings,
1cr.p!c. From Granville Rose, Nmin-
s;"" Shall be home tonight; have some
thing for dinner"
There fold that up. and send it off
directly to the telegram Office. No time
to be lost Maude."
Well l don't see much in that" re-
tortcd Maude. What gourmand YOU
musl be- Gren!'
Never mind. Where's that deed?-ah.
here. III explain it all to you after
wards
And my note?" she said sAyly, holding
it Up.
Neither you nor it will be wanted to-
day. think. But come back here when
you have seen James off"
Perhaps you'd rather | should never
- che ;p1uirad hall tirDidlv If
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.
Grenvile Rose, armed with the deed
of release of the mortgage and a SINH
lar acquittance 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 l
ring for servant as a second witness to
your signatureY
Pearman nodded assent. and upon the
appearance of the butler, scrawled his
name across the parchment to which the
witnesses signed their attestatiOn. He
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 for
one second put it out of his mind. No :;
70 ,lo him justice. he looked upon the prob
able rupture of his engagement as a very
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 that
10 have moved any further than he had
already done would be simply to cancel it
at once He did not wish that. 1t was
but a slender hold, he knew. Still, an
other shuttle of the pack might change all
the hands once more. That slight link
Was better than none at all.
Thus meditating, he drove home, and
having ordered his phaeton TO wait while
he wrote couple of letters. to save the
post entered the house. In about half
an hour he reappeared, stepped into the
carriage. and drove to Minister Sta
ton. His wishing to write those letters
at Mannersley had caused him to make q
considerable detour to the station from
Glnn Harold Denison's place lying.
though off the direct road, somewhere
about half way between Mannersley and
the railway. On arrival there he went
into the telegraph office. and dispatched a
message The clerk and Pearman were
upon rather intimate relations The late
y I,
electric wire pretty freely. His son. also.
was wont to use it good deal The lat
ter. moreover. constantly sent the clerk
game in the Season-very often told him
he had invested a sovereign for him on
one of his horses that he thought was
likely to win. 1t may be conceived that
the conductor of the telegraph at Xmin-
Ster held Mr.. Sam Pearman in high es-
tenn
You'll be going up by the six train.
| suppose, sir? Only half-past three now.
but expect you're going home again
first"
Just so. l want to have about an
hour at the paddocks first"
One last look at the crack. Ell. sir ?
Win, won't he, though they do take
strange liberties with him in the betting?''
He's very well and II make some of
them open their eyes and shut their
mouths before many days are over"
We'll, you'll have company up. sir
Mr.. Grenville Rose. from Glinn: he's
a-going by that train. Know him. Mr..
Pearman, | suppose
Yes, / do know him." said Pearman,
as he thought over their recent interview.
beg pardon, sir; didn't know you
didn't like him; he's usually reckoned a
nice gentleman"
How do you know he's going TO
town."