Page:Between Two Loves.djvu/154

Rh was exactly what Aske had been driving him to. For Aske knew well that he had no right to lock a mill-stream, and he knew also that the law would act sustain him in such an act; but all the same, during the trial of the case, which might be indefinitely prolonged, Burley could be effectually and permanently crippled in business.

Months of terrible anxiety followed. Burley, deprived of water-power, found himself unable to fill orders with any degree of punctuality. The prosecution of his case took all his spare time and money. He was going to financial ruin at a frightful pace. Every small loss paved the way for a great one, and he foresaw that when his verdict was gained he would be a ruined man. True, he could then sue Aske for damages, but, weary and impoverished, bow would he be able to go through another prolonged litigation.

At first the wicked injustice of the whole scheme for his ruin almost made him insane. He went about his mill like a baited wild beast; there were hours when even Ben Holden kept out of his way. All the worst points of Jonathan's character were developed by such an