Part 31 (1/2)

”No, sir,” replied Mrs. Kimball, firmly, ”I won't sign. I've made up my mind not to put my name to this deed, 'n' I ain't agoin' to.”

”What?” exclaimed the lawyer.

”What?” cried Mr. Ranquist.

”What?” almost shouted Mr. Dudley.

Then all three said, ”What!” in a chorus.

”No, sir!” repeated Mrs. Kimball, ”I'm not agoin' t' sign, 'n' thet's th' end on 't,” and she shut her lips firmly.

”Why this is ridiculous. I never heard of such a thing,” began the lawyer. ”Why, my dear Mrs. Kimball, your husband can't convey this property unless you sign the deed also. That is the law. Husband and wife must both sign the deed. This puts us in a pretty predicament!”

”I thought it would,” said Mr. Vanter, softly; and at the words, Mr.

Ranquist turned angrily toward him.

”Oh, so you've been meddling,” the engineer remarked, with a sneer.

”If you call it that,” rejoined Mr. Vanter coolly.

”Can't you induce your wife to sign?” asked the lawyer of Mr. Kimball.

The grizzled farmer, who had returned, smiled good naturedly.

”I don't like t' be disobligin',” he said, slowly, ”but from long experience I know thet whenever Mrs. Kimball makes up her mind not t' do a thing, she won't do it. I've tried her before, 'n' I know. Ef she says she won't sign, there's no use a' me, er any one else tryin' t' make her,” and Mr. Kimball sat down.

”And I suppose I hardly need point out,” interposed Mr. Vanter, ”that, without the consent of Mrs. Kimball her husband cannot legally sell that property. I rather guess the Universal Salt Company will have to get along without the spring-glade, Mr. Ranquist. What do you think of the situation now?”

Mr. Ranquist, without replying, turned angrily to his lawyer.

”I'm afraid he's right,” a.s.sented the legal representative of the foiled plotters. ”The law requires the unenforced consent of the wife if the husband sells any of his property. This is a woman's dower right, and amounts to a third interest in her husband's real estate. We can't get this land unless Mrs. Kimball signs the deed, and she--”

”She's not goin' t' sign, 'n' ye needn't try t' make her,” interrupted that lady. ”I guess that'll put a spoke in yer wheel,” she added as she swept out of the room.

”I rather think th' deal's off, gentlemen,” said Mr. Kimball as he laid a five hundred dollar bill with the other money. ”I'm sorry, but it can't be helped. Curi's how obstinate some womenfolks be,” and he chuckled loudly. ”That's yer money back.”

For a little while Mr. Ranquist looked very angry and disappointed.

”I think you are all making a mistake,” he said. ”We made a fair bargain for the land, and gave you just what you asked. There may be salt on it, and, then, there may not be. If there is, it may not be that there will be enough to make it pay. But we are willing to take the risk. However, if you think you should have more money, why perhaps five hundred dollars additional--”

Mr. Kimball made a gesture of dissent.

”Or say one thousand more,” said Mr. Ranquist, eagerly.

”I reckon we won't do any tradin' t'-day,” broke in Mr. Kimball. ”I calalate I'll farm thet salt mine myself. I guess I kin make out t' dig 'nuff t' make it pay.”

”All right, suit yourself,” came from Mr. Ranquist, as if he was ready to give up. He turned to the lawyer, who handed him a paper.

”I'm sorry,” said the engineer, and his lips showed a cruel smile, that indicated just the opposite feeling, ”I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'll be obliged to ask Mr. Kimball to pay off this mortgage. It is some time overdue, and has been a.s.signed to us. I presume you have the money handy, Mr. Kimball, otherwise we shall at once begin action to foreclose, and take the farm from you. In the meantime we shall, as a matter of precaution, retain control of that part of the land known as the spring-glade.”