Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-10-10

will cut 1t up badly"
The man pushed his hat back and
scratched his head. Guess know
that. But who'd want to buy the hull
thing except such another blame fool
as l was when bought?"
Inere was suppressed excitement
In Tennyson's manner which aroused
Claudia's curiosity. He took the reins
from her hands and turned the mare
| about carefully. "I'n be back here in
three hours or less to talk business to
you." he said briefly.
How mean of the law to go through
mans pigpen p cried Claudia. Can
| 1t go anywhere?
Tennyson gave preoccupied laugh.
Yes. under the laws OF this state
all kinds Of property-with one excep-
| tion--can be condemned"
| Condemned" puzzled Claudia. "What
does that mean?"
| Tennyson explained, watching with
delight the wise little wrinkle that ap-
peared between the blue eyes and
knowing that twenty hours would
efface all recollection of the rights Of
| eminent domain.
But for once he was mistaken, The
responsibilities of life were weighing
heavily on Claudia, and certain reso-
lutions to understand more OF economy
and Of law were becoming fixed. She
had forgotten to ask Tennyson what
one kind of property was exempt from
condemnation. but there was her fa-
Their.
Now, papa, | want to know some
thing she began that evening.
Il never got to the table yet but
what you bothered me with your fool
questions" grumbled Peter Ten Eyck.
Claudia. oblivious of the acidity In
his tone, prefaced her question with
Papa. what kind OF property can't the
law go through?"
THE devil calculated Peter What
are You talking aboutT
Size proceeded to elucidate. Now
Just suppose transit company or
something wanted to go through a
mans pigpen''- Peter stared hard.
Well you know they can. But there's
one kind OF land they can't. What Is
III"
You're enough to turn a LAWYER $
hair white" said her father after a
pause. Probably you mean a GENE
terry" Then he gave her shrewd look
and said nothing more until they had
finished dinner. when he asked abrupt
ly. "Whom were you driving with this
morning.
Claudia raised her brows inquiring-
ly. Tapping her cheek thoughtfully
with a forefinger. she responded I'M
blushingly: Let me see. Was his hair
black or brown?
'Oh, yes with an effort Of the mem
ory. Then 1t was Ten-Mr. Benham.'
so l suspected-that nefarious little
popinjay OF lawyer without any prac'
tice who Is trying to marry money
NO. he isn't. papa" responded Clau
dia serenely. for he refuses to marry
me-that Is, right away"
That very evening Tennyson called
He was in high spirits. Behold me-.
he said, with a mock heroic bow. Al
last am on the high road to fame and
fortune. | am u real estate owner.
Really. Tenny." excitedly. Enough
TO build our house on?'
Tennyson threw his head back and
broke into a peal of boyish laughter
There's house on 1t already and a
pigpen too. own the land formerly
owned by the man with the gun"
Claudia's eyes grew large and round
You've bought that horrid, desolate
looking place! What for? Don't tell
me, dear. that you wouldn't like to live
there"
"Tenny!" she expostulated. but Ten
nyson evaded all further questions
about his purchase. wait until I've
struck 1t rich on my real estate. dear.
and I'll tell you all about It,"
With that he supposed his hancee
was content, but she was not After
his departure she repaired promptly to
the source Of wisdom.
Papa. what Is there down In the
Mount Hope valley to bring money :
Just supposing you had bought the
land of that man with the pigpen
down there, what should you expect
to get out Of it,"
The clerk and stenographer ex-
changed gances. Peters brows con-
tracted as he snorted, THE knowl-
| edge that l was fool probably" And
| Claudia, sadder. but no wiser, retired.
Perhaps much learning with no out
let for 1t was making Tennyson In
sane, she reflected, and her theory was
strengthened on the next occasion OF
their meeting. which was on Lacka-
| wanna avenue.
/ Tennysons face was aglow with ex'
| element. His spirits, so often at zero,
were near the boiling point. He was
ready to discuss their future, the prob
abilities Of boarding Ten Eyck soon in
his library and Of the renting of
| suitabl home. So far Claudia's the
| orv was discredited. But presently