The Tragedy of Wild River Valley

mes, in tones of mingled anger, amazement, and rebuke; "did y

ks after the events related in our last chapter, a

fright, running out, only half dressed as she was, to find her husband standing

"You must have done it; yo

"I'm too much afraid o' th

e scattered about the floor. He seemed unable to believe the evidence of his senses; he rubbed his hand across his

nt; then, straightening himself, turned toward his w

e gasped; "eve

asked, trembling

s and savin's o' years

you put it i

and they're often robbed, too, by folks inside and out; no

ng them to their places, groaning and lame

expecting to see a burglar. "I never heard a sound. And they must have been in our r

aid, sharply. "Can't yo

while busy with their loss and the manner in which the robbery had been effected. She knew no more of it than he did. Phelim had no

nd bidding his wife attend to the outdoor work, which he usually did himself, he mounted his swiftest horse

ation, the wily villains had managed their work so ad

Mr. Himes grew constantly more morose, captious and niggardly toward his wife, till she declare

, sometimes being gone all day long, never t

tention to sell his place and

ou couldn't get a nicer place, and you've always brag

ut there's too many burglars about. I sha'n't stay

ere till after ha

n' jest as soon's I ki

ave been as much so as any, but now he seemed to feel that he had somethi

y Nolan, overseeing and directing their operations there, heard aloud "Halloo, Mis

"I think you can go on very well without me now." And turning her horse about, she rode up to the fence that se

ll," he replied, "if you can spar

. "I was very sorry to hear, some tim

s. I hain't much left but the farm and the stock. I hope you've got your notes back, Miss Heath. Fact is, I want that

utterly impossible. We have had no trace of the notes yet; and though we have used the closest economy

leave fifty back of the intere

led look; "but if you will only have patie

money awful bad," he answered, with a scowl. "I mean to leave the Sta

ou the interest promptly u

that

to send it to you as f

all with me. I don't want to be hard on ye," he repeated, "and

g her hands entreatingly, "you wouldn't do that? You couldn't have the

y man must look to his own i

ney and mortgaged his farm to you? and he gave his life to the cause; my brother gave his health and stre

in his hands and his elbows on his knees, "and I shouldn't like to distress ye. Give me the check for the hundred, and

ance, Mr. Himes. You shall have all I can possibly save this year, and if the crops are good, that will be all the intere

wn himself a model of generous forbearance, and was deser

I don't care to draw it out to-day," he s

elt a tap on his shoulder, a voice asking, at

l; how are you?" he r

d Bangs, offering his hand with an urbane smile.

ied Himes, half incredulously, half eagerly, as they walked

se ourselves that they're sure to be caught finally. No; it's another matter I want to speak of to-day. J

ered in th

invest, and don't know but I m

e of the farm, buildings on it, quality of l

rgain with you," the lawyer said at length. "But haven't you s

tily to get the cash for," returned Himes, catc

power. "On what property?" he asked, kn

eaths' place. I

nd having a claim on it. First m

t, fer's I know; and it's

st all

n to tell exactly how matters sto

ay every cent down.

bank for the present," returned Himes, meditatively. "I don't put no more in the way o' them burg

ort, and seem

w?" aske

ks-the Heaths-to be foreclosed on and sold out. I kind o' pro

ously. "Why, to let you into a secret"-he leaned over and whispe

you'll get a mighty handsome woman an

anybody can tell it to me,"