Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1912-09-13
Discussing an Inheritance.

1--WE represent her late hus-
bands interests in settling up the estate
of his father Your wife's interests are
being looked after by Morton & Rogers
believe. l am here to have Mrs. De-
lancy go through the form of signing
papers authorizing Us to bring suit
against the estate in order to establish
certain rights of which you are fully
aware. Your wife's brother left his
affairs slightly tangled, you remem-
ber?"
''Well, [ can save you a good deal OF
trouble Mrs. Delaney has decided to
let the matter rest as it is and to ac-
cept the compromise terms offered by
the other heirs. She will not care to
see you, for she has just written to
your firm announcing her decision"
'You-you don't mean it, exclaimed
Crosby in dismay. He saw a prodi-
gious fee slipping through his fingers.
cad, I must see her about this" he
went on, starting down the ladder only
to go back again hastily. The growl-
ing dog leaped forward and stood
audibly.
'She really can't see you, Mr.. Crosby.
Mrs. Delaney leaves at 4 o'clock for
Chicago, where she takes the Michigan
Central for New York tonight. You can
gain nothing by seeing her."
But insist, SIR exploded Crosby.
you may come down when you
like" said Austin. "The dog will be
here until | return from the depot after
driving her over. Come down when
you like"
Crosby did not utter the threat that
surged to his lips. With the wisdom
born Of self preservation he temper
lied, reserving deep down in the surg
ing young breast a promise to amply
recOmpense his pride for the blows it
was receiving at the hands of the de-
teStable Mr.. Austin.
you'll admit that I'm in a devil Of
a pickle, Mr.. Austin" he said jovially.
"The dog is not at all friendly"
He is at least diverting. You won't
be lonesome while I'm away. I'll tell
Mrs. Delaney that you called" said
Austin ironically.
He turned to leave the barn, and the
sinister sheer on his face gave Crosby
a new and amazing inspiration. Like
a flash there rushed into his mind the
belief that Austin had a deep laid de-
sign in not permitting him to see the
lady. With this belief also came the
conviction that he was hurrying her
off to New York on some pretext SIM
ply to fOrestall any action that might
induce her to continue the contem
plated suit against the estate. Mrs.
Delaney had undoubtedly been urged
to drop the matter under pressure of
promises, and the Austins were get
ting her away from the scene of action
before she could reconsider or before
her solicitors could convince her of the
mistake she was making. The thought
of this sent the fire of resentment rae
ing through Crosby's brain, and he
fairly gaSped with the longing to get
at the bottom of the case. His only
hope now lay in sending a telegram to
Mr. Rolfe, commanding him to meet
Chicago and to lay the whole matter
before her.
Before Austin could make his exit
the voices of women were heard out
side the door and an instant later two
ladies entered. The farmer attempted
to turn them back, but the younger,
taller and slighter of the newcomers
cried:
II Just couldn't go without another
look at the horses, Bob"
Crosby. on the beam, did not fail to
observe the rich, tender tone of the
voice, and it would have required al
most total darkness to obscure the
beauty of her face. Her companion
was older and cOarser, and he found
delight in the belief that she was the
better half of the disagreeable. Mr..
Austin
Good afternoon, Mrs. Delancy"'
came a fine masculine voice from no.
where The ladies started in amaze
ment. Mr.. Austin ground his teeth
the dog took another tired leap up
ward. Mr.. Crosby took off his hat
CALAMITY and waited patiently for the
lady to discover his whereabouts.
''WhO is it. Bob?" cried the tall one
and Crosby patted his bump of shrewd-
ness happily. ''Who have you in hid
ing here?" =
I'm not in hiding, Mrs. Delaney
I'm a prisoner, that's ALL I'm right
near the top of the ladder directly in
front of you. You know me only
through the mails. but my partner
Mr.. Rolfe is known to you personally
NJ name is Crosby"
..How very strange she cried in
wonder. why don't you come down
Mr.. Crosby?"
IT hate to admit it, but I'm afraid
There's the dog, you know Have
YOU any influence over him?'
"None whatever. He hates me