The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-08-15
CHAPTER i.
An Error Reetlned,

An Error Reetlfied.
Pedro. the mestizo, having lighted
the wax tapers In the massive candle.
sticks, having placed bottle and glasses
upon the great mahogany table, to-
bacco and papers upon the small ma
hognny table. withdrew silently, as
was his way, swiftly, as was his train
ing.
fits old master, Senior don Antonio
de Ia Guerra, looking as genuinely am
tlque 10 his oldfashloned black coat,
small high-heeled boots and curled
white hair and mustache as any ar
ticle OF the antique furniture In the
vast drawing room OF the hacienda.
turned his lively black eyes upon his
guest
"You VIII forgive the rudeness of
an old man, Senior Dempton." he said
softly, his English perfect, his utter
ance still the honeyed speech OF Cas-
tile. "bnt may ask you TO understand
that know nothing OF what you
Americanos call buslness7 And that
! have no wish 10 Learnt That Is why
1 place these matters In the hands Of
nm attorney. He bowed after the way
Of the old school. and ended, smiling,
in the hands Of thoroughly compe-
tent attorney, senor.'
Dempton a little man with rest
less, nervous manner and eyes like
rats, shifted In his chair, cleared his
throat and thanked HIS patron, looking
pleased on the whole,
This Is very important matter,
Mr. de Ia Guerra" he offered. trifie
hesltantly and with keen eyes upon
his host.
''ro be sure.n the old man cut In
impatiently, though with no lessening
Of The courtesy Of his speech. "a win
Is always important"
He leaned forward, poured himself
glass Of the red southern wine, lift
ed IL SO that the sim candle flames
shone in IL brightly, and drank slowly.
Already Dempton had been asked 10
drink. as he was always asked when
ne came TO the Rancho de la Guerra
already he had refused, as he always
refused.
The old man set down his glass and
SOCK tobacco and fine white paper from
the tray upon the smaller table, his
steady, slim white hands making the
cigarette swiftly.
You say, Senior Dempton,r he said
when he had lighted paper lighter
at the nearest candlestiek, that you
have found flaw in the original
win"
Eyes. sir" Dempton spoke hurried.
~ and ran on very much after the
manner Of "A sehoolboy who has gotten
his lesson by heart and wants TO "say"
Il before he forgets
"Only small natter technical
error. which might never be noticed,
And yet there is a rlsk--there Is dan
ger that the VIII might eventually be
set aside; because OF II that your de-
sires might come TO naught: In a word,
that the Senorlta Teresa, whom you
wish to make your sole legatee, might
never come into the fortune you have
wIIled to her. l have thought it best,
sir 10 draw Mp new document"
You have done SOP inquired the
old Spaniard. his eyes musingly upon
the thin wisp OF smoke from the olga
rette.
''Yes." Dempton slipped red
hand into his breast pocket. "If you
viii read II ana sign Il, slr--if we can
get the matter settled right away, de-
strOylng the original documents"
''The details, Senior Dempton, l
trust may leave with you" De la
Guerra waved q white hand gracefully.
You have attended to my business for
me for seventeen years now, and 1
have never found cause for criticism"
"You do not even care 10 have me
go into detail concerning the flaw
which l allowed to creep inT
Dempton had leaned forward little
in his chair, his eager eyes upon the
others. De la Guerra laughed softly
and shook his head.
you would force me to appear stu
pid" He put his hand upon the bell
cord hanging from the edge of the
big table and a. bell tinkled from be-
yOnd the door. LET me have the pa
pers you wish me to sign"
Ped ought pen and ink, retreat