The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-09-30

His capital was melting fast. The
small hoard, now reduced to little
more than hundred dollars, Jim kept
under loose board In the floor. The
potatoes were sprouting nicely, but
there would be no purchasers in
Clearwater. And. to crown all. Jim's
literary efforts only seemed to add to
the burdens of the postman.
Powell would pass the door a dozen
times a day. glum and scowling. He
did not know how near Jim was to
capitulation But Jim and Lucy were
determined to fight to the last They
calculated that they could provision
themselves until Christmas But they
would be prisoners all through the
dreary summer and fall
1t was late in August when Powell
visited them. He was becoming anx-
ious; his crushing machinery had been
set up and he had had an offer from
a firm in Boston for the property. To
close with this 1t was necessary to
obtain immediate possession of the lit
tie farm; otherwise he could sell at
little more than half what he antici-
pated He appeared at the door one
afternoon, wearing sort of sullen
smile.
How long are you two fools going
to hold out?" he asked. You'll have
to give up afore winter. Come, I'll
give you couple Of hundred to quit"
Jim looked at Lucy and Lucy looked
at Jim. Both were utterly discouraged
and weary. Two hundred dollars
would take them back to Boston,
where Jim might obtain a position on
one of the papers that fall But the
sight Of Powell aroused all their latent
fighting spirit.
why, I'm pretty comfortable, Mr..
Powell" said Jim. Il wasn't thinking
of getting out at all"
Come. name your price," said Pow
ell. you can't live by hens. It's
been tried. Hens don't lay around
these parts. except In spring. I'll
make It three hundred"
I'll CO." said Jim, for seven hun
dred and fifty dollars"
'DoneI" shouted Powell with a We
hemence which amazed the house
holders. He pulled out a bulging
pocket-book, which he had brought
with him for the purpose. and peeled
OF eight one-hundred dollar bills.
Got changer" he sneered.
Jim walked over to the loose board
and raised 1t. while Powell looked on.
snorting with amusement at this crude
banking apparatus. Jim, flushing un-.
der the others scorn. pulled the board
hard. It came out Of the floor. Under.
meath was his money and a tiny tin
case. half hidden by board adjacent.
Inside the case was a legal document.
Jim took It to the light.
Whats that?" shouted Powell, sus-
piciously.
1T looks" said Jim deliberately,
like the legal title to this property"
Powell sprang for 1t. and Jim's
shoulder, neatly interposed, caught
him in the chest. Powell collapsed
backward and fell, rising with apo
plectic menaces and incoherent splut-
terings
THE legal owner of this place
seems to be one Timothy Brand" said
Jim. THAT sounds like your fathers
name. Lucy"
''Why-then this was my fathers
place!" Lucy exclaimed II thought
knew the name Clearwater. o, Jim,
and we've come back to the very spot.
God must have guided u.s."
wait minute" cried jim 'ThiR
is title deed to one hundred and
ninety-four acres of land. Where is
the rest Of our property? What about
it, Powell?"
Powell was staring curiously at Jim.
He made no attempt to move, but re-
NAMED leaning against the table, his
head craned forward, his face purple.
Suddenly he slipped to the floor In
a moment Jim was at his side.
Run for doctor, Lucy!" he shout
ed.
But when the doctor came Powell
was beyond all earthly aid. The shock
of the discovery, the knowledge that
he had lost all, not only his neighbours
land, but that which he had purloined,
had proved fatal to him.
Jim owns the marble quarry now,
and, when he and his wife are dead,
the property will not pass out of the
family.
(ConvriRht 1919 nv w q ChanmanN