Mary-'Gusta Part 62

"Oh, then you haven't bought?"

"Not yet. I was willing, but for some reason he wouldn't sell at once--wouldn't even talk price. Wanted to think it over, he said. I can't wait now, but I am coming down again on Monday and we shall close the deal then."

That evening Mary told Shadrach what Sam had said. The Captain looked puzzled.

"I didn't know Jerry Clifford owned that land," he said. "I don't believe he does."

"Of course he does, Uncle Shad. He wouldn't have told Sam he did own it if he didn't. What in the world would he gain by that?"

"Why, nothin', I presume likely. But he must have bought it mighty recent. Last I heard Jimmie G. owned that piece. 'Twas part of the property his father left him. Next time I see Jimmie I'll ask him."

So, three days later, when Jimmie G.--his last name was Peters--pa.s.sed the store the Captain hailed him and, inviting him in, went straight to the point.

"When did you sell Jerry Clifford that North Inlet land of yours, Jim?"

he asked.

Jimmie G. looked surprised. "How in time did you know I had sold it?" he demanded. "It beats all how things get around in this town. I never sold that land until day afore yesterday evenin' and the deed didn't pa.s.s till yesterday, and yet you know the whole business. Not that I care; 'twas Jerry wanted it kept still. Who told you?"

Captain Shad whistled. "I see," he said slowly. "I see. Yes, yes. When Jerry told Sam he owned that land he . . . Humph! It's just another case of the boy lied, that's all. Tut, tut, tut! When you get ahead of Jerry Clifford you've got to turn out early, ain't you? I hope you got a good price for the land, Jim."

"Well, I didn't; that is, not very big. What's up, anyway? What are you hintin' at, Cap'n Shad?"

Before the Captain could answer, Mary, who had been listening to the conversation, broke in to ask a question.

"Mr. Peters," she cried eagerly, "would you mind telling me this: Whose name is the new deed in, Mr. Clifford's or his wife's?"

Jimmie G. laughed. "Why, that was kind of funny, too," he said. "You know Jerry, Cap'n Shad; he never has nothin' in his own name--it's all in his wife's. That's a principle of his."

"I'd call it a lack of principle," grunted Shadrach. "Never mind, Jim; go on."

"But he was in a terrible rush to close the sale, for some reason or other," went on Peters, "and I forgot, myself, and had the deed made in the name of Jeremiah Clifford. He made a big row at first, but it seemed as if he couldn't wait for me to have it changed, so he handed over his check and--"

"Wait! Wait, please, Mr. Peters!" broke in Mary, her eyes flas.h.i.+ng with excitement. "Just tell me if I understand you correctly. You sold that land to Mr. Clifford and he owns it now IN HIS OWN NAME?"

"Why, yes--sartin."

Mary waited to hear no more. She ran out of the store and to the post-office. A few minutes later she was talking with Judge Baxter over the telephone. When she returned the Captain was curious to know where she had been, but she would not tell him.

"Wait," she said. "Wait, Uncle Shad; I think something is going to happen."

It happened on Monday morning. Mary was at the desk; Simeon was in the back room getting ready his early morning orders, and Captain Shad was standing by the window looking out. Suddenly Mary heard him utter an exclamation.

"What is the matter?" she asked.

"Oh, nothin'."

"You spoke as if you were in pain."

"No wonder. I'm lookin' at somethin' that gives me a pain. That wizened-up landshark of a Jerry Clifford is in sight, bound to the post-office, I cal'late. Goin' to put a one-cent stamp on a letter and let the feller that gets it pay the other cent, I suppose. He always asks the postmaster to lick the stamp, so's to save the wear and tear on his own tongue. That's a fact. . . . No," he added, a moment later, "he ain't goin' to the office; he's turnin' down the lane here. . . . Eh!

Jumpin' fire of brimstone, I do believe--WHAT in the world?"

For Mr. Clifford's step was upon the platform of the store and in another moment the door opened and the tight-fisted one himself appeared. Shadrach said nothing; he could only stare in amazement. It had been more than two years since Jeremiah had crossed that threshold.

But he crossed it now. And, after a look about the place, ignoring the Captain completely, he walked over to the desk. He did not look happy.

Mary, on the contrary, looked very much pleased.

"Good morning, Mr. Clifford," she said.

Jeremiah, who was a little thin man, looked up at her from under his heavy gray eyebrows and above his spectacles. He did not acknowledge the salutation.

"Umph!" he grunted savagely. "You think you're smart, don't ye?"

Shadrach started forward.

"Why, you--" he began. Mary held up her hand.

"Don't interfere, Uncle Shad," she ordered. "This is Mr. Clifford's affair and mine. We understand each other perfectly." Then, turning to the frowning Jeremiah, she said: "Why, yes, thank you, Mr. Clifford, I do think I am rather clever--just now. Don't you think I am, yourself?"

Again the visitor ignored the question.

"What did you go and stick an attachment on that land of mine for?" he demanded.

"Surely you don't need to ask me that, Mr. Clifford. The amount is one hundred and ten dollars and sixty-three cents. I remember it and I should imagine you must; certainly it has been called to your attention often enough."

"Umph! Well, you can keep your darned old attachment."

"Very well; and you can keep your land--what is left, I mean. I think you will keep it for some time--after I tell Mr. Keith the facts. He will be here this afternoon, you know."

It was evident that Jeremiah was quite aware of the time of Sam Keith's arrival. His teeth--the few remaining--snapped together and, as Captain Shadrach said afterwards, he looked as if undecided whether to bite or put back his head and howl. Apparently he decided that howling was safer.

"I was cal'latin' to pay that bill of yours, anyhow," he said.

"Of course, and we were calculating that you would," said Mary sweetly.

"Your calculations and ours are proving true, Mr. Clifford. That's nice, isn't it?"

From the direction of the back room, where Simeon was busy with his orders, came the sound of a smothered laugh. Shadrach, upon whom understanding of the situation was just beginning to dawn, slapped his knee. Mr. Clifford looked positively venomous.

"If I pay that bill--that--what was it?--that hundred and ten dollars you say I owe you--do I get that attachment off my land right away?" he demanded.

"If you pay the one hundred and ten dollars--and the sixty-three cents--I shall phone Judge Baxter the next minute," said Mary promptly.

Jeremiah hesitated no longer. He had considered the situation in all its phases before leaving home and the one hundred and ten dollars was but a small item compared to his expected profit on the sale of the North Inlet land. He reached into his pocket, produced a long, dingy leather pocketbook wound about with twine, unwound the twine, opened the pocketbook and produced a blank check.

"Give me a pen and ink," he snarled, "and I'll fill this in."

The Captain reached for the pen and ink bottle, but Mary interfered.

"Cash, if you please," she said sweetly.