Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-07-21
DAILY SHORT STORIES,

ordered q stay or proceedings I'm the
other matter. There win be no further
, trouble" t
Explain yourself. please. Mr.. PHI.
1 don't understand atan."
why. ! am the quickest man In the
world TO rectify an error. and tie mis-
take was mine And now am anx.
ious to prove q. In substantial war.
You still own that pasture lot"
The Ave acres OF rocky land over on
the back road--yes."
"will you sell Il nowy"
A prompt yes was on Mrs. Kane's
lips. Ella saw It and raised her hand
warninGly.s Her father had once Of
fered the lot for 500. and ut their last
interview Mr.. PHI had laughed de-
risiyely and refused. to consider It mt
any price. There was evidently some
thing In tho background.
What will you give for ty' she
asked cautiously.
"wtM-er.-say $1,000. The error was
mine. ana L wish TO do something.
handsome to compensate you for the
annoyance"
Apparently, he had. expected. them to
snap up his offer. but after the first
incredulous stare Elias face grew
scornful. Even her mother looked sus.
picious.
There is something behind this. Mr..
Pill" said Ella coldly What is it.
You are not throwing away money!"
The man seemed disappointed.
There is nothing at all, assure
you, except that-that--well. an old
pelghbor Of yours was down yester-l
day afternoon and acted very mys-l
teriously. He had some specimens
which he showed TO few people In
tho postofnce. but shipped into hiss
pocket when he snw me coming. L.
suspect he was trying to raise capital"
"Well?v III
II made Inquiries. of course. secret
ly. That's business" his eyes shifting
little. land I've kept him under
watch all the time. The specimens
came from your Old pasture. The
chances are there's nothing In It. bur
l am always ready to invest money In
long risks. VIII you SELF"
For thousand. no."
1.-TWO thousand?v eagerly.
"No."
'srhree?"
At nm imperative sign from Ella.
Mrs. Kane again shook bor head. e.f
II don't believe the lot is worth one
tenth that money" she answered. but
l am not quite ready to sell yet, Mr.
Pill"
Lawyer Pill shuffled his feet few
moments. then turned away.
ITS all I'll give" he said souriy,
land you are making the mistake of
your lives
The. next morning before they had
finished breakfast he was again Mt the
door. visibly excited,
THAT Archie Booth has been send
ing specimens away 10 an assay Of
fee he began hurriedly. HAS he
been here?p
mo"
well. he's up to some sharp prac-
tice; mark my words on that. II he'd
meant fair he would have Come
straight TO you and talked the thing
over. Eye had him watched all the
time. md everything he's done has
been sly and full of mystery. IL It
were any other man wouldn't turn
my head. but Archie Bootb Is nm ex-
pert and don't dodge about like this
for nothing. I'll take chances and give
you $4,000 for the lot"
They both gasped. then Ella shook
her head.
Twenty thousand?'
The gate clicked. and n boy ran up
the path With note Lawyer pm
watched Ella anxiously while she read
t..
eFrom Bootb?' he asked.
Yes"
Make mn offer?"
n f'No."
y tWell, he Will be here soon and try
to wheedle you out of the land. I
know these mysterious fellows. pre-
fer TO BIO open md pay full value. III
give you $4,000 for the five acres"
Ella looked at her mother and nod
ded slightly.
"Yes. we will accept It," said Mrs.
Kane. but ] warn you the place isn't
worth n thousand"
I'll risk that" with alacrity. Now.
let us step inside and tx up the pa
pers at once. and will make you out
q check"
AS he went buoyantly down the path
half hour later Mrs. Kane turned 20
Ella.
What was that note? she asked.
Ella opened IL and read:
Run Lawyer Pill up to twenty-five
thousand or so. then sell don't think |
I'd better call now. for people around
here-and especially PIli--dont know !
that I'm friend Of the family. III
be down again I'm a few days and make
a long visit There is ledge OF pref |
~ good building granite on the land. !
and II PHI will wait little for de- !
mand and will put some money in to /
develop. 1t and manage the thing |
shrewdly as he knows how. think |
DerhaDg he can upf hfe monov hack I