The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-02-07

me. I've as much right to 20 court
ing as you have" He caught up q
chair and placed himself in an atti
tude of defense
Blaine did not strike him, for Hal
was a much smaller man. Instead, he
| quietly wrenched the chair from his
grasp and, taking his shoulders in q
nrm grasp, shook him backward and
forward till the mans head wagged
foolish1y upon his shoulders. Then
ne released him and sent him spin.
nlng across the room. All the while
he did not utter word.
Hamilton Hall fell down, rose up,
and edged toward the door. There
he halted. He shook his first, began
stammering and suddenly, inarticulate
with fury, turned and hurried out OF
the room
There goes Travers House," muir.
INJURED Mary, as she nestled into her
lovers arms.
What do you mean?" asked Blaine,
grimly. And Mary told him.
Vincent, DEAR" she said presently,
I'VE have hard fight before us.
Whether he has the power or not to
take our home away, he has money
enough to make things hard for us.
Vincent" she added, softly. do you
remember saying that you would not
marry me and come to live here be-
cause it was your task to make a
home for me? And as I couldn't leave
my aunt that has meant an indefinite
separation. But now that we must
fight shoulder to shoulder-help me
out, Vincent"
He pressed her in his arms.
"When?" he asked, kissing her.
Next month";" she whispered back.
But long before the date set for
their marriage arrived Hamilton Hall
had begun his legal battle. And
though it is no easy matter to prove
such claim, though Blaine fought
him tooth and nail, while old Miss
Travers, in blissful ignorance, sat in
her room preparing the wedding gar
ments, before the month was ended
Hall seemed to be the victor. Only
one thing was inexplicable; his law
yer had refused to act for him and he
had procured another, sharp fellow
of more brains than reputation.
Were at the end, Mary" said
Blaine, despairingly. 1--WE can't get a
Judge to grant a stay. The case is
scheduled for next Tuesday, and
we've no answer to make. We'd bet
ter pack"
THAT means a death sentence to
Aunt Sidonia," answered Mary, weep
ing.
'By the way, did 1 tell you I've got
new lawyer" asked Blaine present
ly. HE used to be partner of old
Fingall-the man who acted for Mr..
Merritt so many years. He wants us
to attend a conference the day before
the trial, to be held in his Offices.
He seems to have card up his
sleeve. I'll call for you on Monday at
nine"
Blaine called for Mary and took her
to the lawyers Office in cab. There
they met Hall with his attorney, and
the five seated themselves around the
table, Blaine's lawyer, lank New
Englander named Robertson, who
spoke with a nasal drawl and fidgetted
unendingly with his papers, made his
proposal.
1--WE offer you," he said with
tantalizing slowness, studying his pa
pers intently, five hundred-er-no,
one thousand dollars year rental
upon the property
Hall laughed derisively. And how
about the twenty thousand due?" he
asked
THAT isn't good in law, sir" Robert
son answered.
"But it's my house." laughed Hall.
We'll, anyway, 1 wouldn't rent it for
five thousand, arrears or not. The
fact is, I'm going to have 1t re-
decorated and turn it into home for
superannuated old maids of good fam
ily."
That's going little far, Mr.. Hail."
drawIed Robertson.
cts my clients house." interrupted
the opposing lawyer fiercely. Nov
it's no good talking. We came to this
conference as a matter of profession
al curiosity on my part and Christian
charity on my clients. Is that your
offer-one thousand year?"
Robertson nodded. We'll give you
that" he said.
"Then the meeting is ended" cried
the other. "Mf. Hall, we are wasting
time. Tomorrow you'll have your
house again if we have to bundle the
present occupants into the street.
Hum! That's your last word?"
drawled Robertson.
ut Is"
How about squatters' rights. Mr..
Snaith?"
whats that?"
SCI find," said Mr.. Robertson,
fumbling with his papers, that Miss
Travers has occupied the premises
unmolested for-er-twenty years.
four months, and nineteen days. You
are aware, Of course. that under the
common law, as amended in this
state, that gives her indisputable own