Now, either, as some say, he was in the fraud from the beginnin', and never paid anything, or else he was an all-fired fool, and had parted with his money like one.

Some allow that the reason was that he was awfully sweet on Mrs.Peyton's adopted daughter, and ez the parents didn't approve of him, he did THIS so as to get a holt over them by the property.

But he's a ruined man, anyway, now; for they say he's such a darned fool that he's goin' to pay for all the improvements that the folks who bought under him put into the land, and that'll take his last cent.

I thought I'd tell you that, for I suppose YOU'VE lost a heap in your improvements, and will put in your claim ?" "I reckon I put nearly as much into it as Clar Brant did," said Jim gloomily, "but I ain't goin' to take a cent from him, or go back on him now." The rascal could not resist this last mendacious opportunity, although he was perfectly sincere in his renunciation, touched in his sympathy, and there was even a film of moisture in his shifting eyes.
Phoebe was thrilled with the generosity of this noble being, who could be unselfish even in his superior condition.

She added softly:-- "And they say that the girl did not care for him at all, but was actually going to run off with Pedro, when he stopped her and sent for Mrs.Peyton." To her surprise, Jim's face flushed violently.
"It's all a dod-blasted lie," he said, in a thick stage whisper.