José — page 305: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

298 JOSE, tion, to name your conditions, since you will evi- dently not wish personally to interfere with the re- quirements of the contract of the late Mr. Mc- Gregor.” : Baumann opened the envelope that was handed to him, with a feeling of suspense. It contained a legally-formed document, authorizing him to act as attorney for Mary, and accompanied by a few lines in her own handwriting, wherein she begged him to use his own discretion in deciding upon a price in consideration of which to resign the lands of her deceased husband to her father. As near as she could learn, she wrote, the undeftaking of settling the Moro Valley was prospering, so much so that, without any material sacrifices on her father’s part, no mean sum could consistently be demanded. The only condition which she wished to impose was that McAllister and Hattie should remain in their places or be properly indemnified. Baumann had long finished reading, but the thought of a responsibility to him so heavy still caused him to keep his eyes on the paper. Justas he slowly raised his head the door was opened, and in stepped Bob, greeting his two fellow plainsmen with evident delight. “Go on with your business; I have lots of time,” he cried, with a wave of tne hand, as Baumann started to imitate Green, who abruptly arose to his feet and hastened toward him. “I’ve come to stay all day, and it is early yet,” he continued, taking a seat. Green had drawn his chair from the window up to the old hunter’s side, while Baumann, making an BEDE to collect himself, again regarded Mary’s etter. “You will see,” he then said, with a look up- ward; “that I cannot afford to be precipitous in this matter. If you will excuse me until to-morrow I can promise you that we shall have no difficulty in arriving at an understanding.” Brown stiffly nodded and arose. “T shall be back to-morrow at this time,” he EGomichboo “S (E(0) m