The Tragedy of Wild River Valley

d over the news of the burglary at Lakeside and the subsequent

Bangs coming forward with an alibi in his favor. He made oath that O'Rourke had been with him in his private off

in answer to the summons, he had found it barely three o'clock. Still, feeling sure he should not be able to sleep again, he had his order carried out. The fire was slow

r Bangs was perjuring himself to shield one in whom he had no greater interest than that of a master in hi

morning, but it was by an arrangement entered into the previous evening, during a private interview held shortly after

under cover of the darkness, crept cautiously in at a back door, opened for him by the lawyer himself, who had a few moments

accomplice stepped in. "Don't breathe so loud if you can he

nto a room beyond, dimly lighted by a smoulderin

et, sor?" asked Phelim, glancing a

he blinds drawn down? Now, what success? I was never

An' it's mesilf as should pocket the lion's share, I'm a thinkin', seein' as yer h

you from the clutches of the law! But here, man, let's see w

breast-pocket and opened it, Bangs looking o

d-dollar note!" he exclaime

forgit that!" growled Phelim,

't be of any use to either of us," grunted

?" queried Phelim, examining it cri

ouldn't pass it without exposing ourselves to almost c

d-ivery wan ov thim; an' I've resked a tarm o' years

re your profits with me," he added, with an unpleasant laugh. "You'd better leave these with me. They'll be of no use to

ver in his hands and gazing ruefully at them. "I'll kape these fer the prisent, and yer honor can

imself, with an inward chuckle, "but

is care, assuring Phelim it would be highly dangerous for him to retain t

s use, undressed, and got into bed, where, some hours later, he

te's office to Lakeside to condole with the family on their loss and sugges

recovery that the despoiled family were quite cheered, and Miriam, in her thankfulness fo

estions, though in a guarded way, with the design of obtaining the information he so greatly desired in

f extreme coldness and hauteur, as she gave him distinctly t

sincere desire to be of service, and from no other motive; prying curiosity was utterly beneath him

er, "I'm afraid you are too proud and ready to take

oubt if the man ever did anything

offended him," remarked Ro

yes sparkling, "and that his sister may take up his quarrel suf

ndon his purpose; and the next day Mrs. Wiley, as sweet, smilin

e deserted, though through the open door of the adjoining bed

dear brother wo

answered, placing a chair for her near the fire

, my dear; I came

ce to a sign from him, then passing into the kitchen, where the ladies of the family were busied with housewifely labors, the grandmothe

ller was probably Mr. Himes, the holder of the mortgage, coming for his interest. It was due that day; he

that always smiles and calls everybody 'dear,'" he sai

ing hotly. "I wish she had less leisure to bestow

astily washing her hands and taking off the large work-apron worn to protect her neat calico dress. "I hope s

ge it all if you will excuse me to her; but I cannot and

"How dared she treat advances from my brother in that style!" she exclaimed, grinding her teeth. "She shall be well paid for it, the impuden

an hardly fail," he respon

e secret objec

s; the old lady was likely to be just now in the state of mind most favorable to her designs upon her; gentle-tempered and loath to see the feelings of another wounded, she woul

trap. But of course the wily woman approached her object in a roundabout way, and while she listened to a c

saw the holder of the mortgage dri

n to see me. Tell him I can't leave my baking just now, and as there is a lady caller in the sitting-

or two Mr. Himes was stamping the s

rning, invited him in, and set a chair near the fir

ut o' the cold and the snow; neat as wax and warm as toast. But I'm in somethin' of a hurry, having a long ride to get back home, ye

own pale, and

don't calkilate ye can do that now (I heard in town this mornin' ye'd been robbed; and I'm mighty sorry fer it, fer your sake as well's my own; and I say that gang o'

nd falteringly; "but the burglar got so nearly

s only a qu

w; and I'm

hope of speedily recovering them, adding a promise to pay off the remainder

e repeated; "if ye can't, ye can't; and though it's dreadful inconvenient, I'l

ad sort of smile, and pointing to a little side table, where were pen, ink, and paper. "Will you write me a receipt for this?

rned, pocketing the note, seating himself at the table, and taking up the

le at which she had been at work, and by the time the farmer had gone through with the business of writing the receipt-a slow a

arty praise of her cooking, and went away, his parting words a strongly expressed hope that the

her heart was heavy with a sad foreboding of the consequences t

Himes as he made his way down the garden-path toward his horses and wagon, "what mad

victuals, and I was watching to see him choke-you know grandmother said the other d

t that is another reason why we should not abuse His goodness," Miriam answered, in a cheerful

errand there, had strained her ears to hear the talk between him and Miriam; but the girl's tones were low, the farmer's utterance was indistinct, and Miriam had purposely seated him on the

sk she had set herself beset with difficulties. She could not get so

to what the old lady said, to avoid answering wide of the mark. But at last the farmer went, and rallying all her energies to the successful carryi

of incumbrance, have you not?-no mortgage on it? no flaw in the title?" she at length queried in her sweetest, most tenderly sympathetic to

ndmo

s wanting something," the old lady sa

her down to him, whispered in her ear, "Grandmother, don't t

dly. But what shall I do? I never was good at evading questions; I can

nto the family secrets. But bring her in here to see me, and let me always be present at y

mptly given; but suddenly, finding it high time she w