Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-07-21
MR., GRE MS Gil T. n Il .
BY JOHN EsTEN COOKE, OF VIRGINIA.
TCONCLUDED.l
CHAPTER III.

A QUARTER of mile from the village |
| stopprd nv horse in a little wood, and, for
the first time, seriously realized the step was
| about to take.
was being carried away by natural in
| dionation and simply to crafty this access
| of rage into the commission of an act which
might have the most fatal effect upon the in
tcrests of Miss Peterborough What was |
| about to do? | was going to say to the man
who had an his possession, doubt, The real tCiH,
| You are a villain, iOrger, a suborner, Il
| fcion! That is my opinion Of You, Sir!' |
was going to afford my indignant feelings this
| great felicity; after which, II Wescot was not
what | believed nina coward would
come away triumphant, with the supreme
reflection that | had relieved my pent-up
anger. and by relieving it, done what? Why,
DESTROYED the young lady's prospect of re-
covering the property completely! After
such an interview, Wescots first step, beyond
doubt, would be to burn the real will, and
then we might whistle for the property. He
would send to foreign countries the two ac-
completes of his vllainy, or, if they remained,
defy us to prove perjury on them. He would
stand secure upon his title, and the young
girls would remain dependents all their lives
-MesSrs. Green and W"d-Vporth no sued for
defamation, perhaps. This was the pretty
little state of affairs which | was about to
create. My anger did not cool, but L regain
ed my GOODNESS of head. would set to work
more shrewdly than that.
The resolution came to was desperate
one. but it was the only course | could follow,
unless the affair was entirely abandoned. |
determined to go to Mr.. Harvard-Miss Ell
lenborough's friend and protector, aud a
magistrate-to charge Wescot with felony
to procure a warrant of arrest and "A search
warrant. and have him and the men Holtz
and Bright at once taken into custody. The
step was almost hopeless in view of the
absence of proof, and was apt to be somewhat
serious in its consequences to- myself; but
resolved to take the responsibility. | would
| procure the warrant, go with the officer my
| self to Hockey" be present, and, II neces-
! sarv assist III the arrest and the search. 1t
! WINS neck or nothing; but two blue eyes,
| which had never lost sight of, shone on me
the sad, tender face of young girl rose
before me. did not hesitate.
In an hour was at Mr.. Harvards clOseted
with him in his library. When briefly, and
| in the calmest way, announced'the object of
my visit he almost started from his seat. He
! was an excellent, but very cautious and pru-
dent man, almost, indeed to the bounds of
! timidty; and so rough and extraordinary a
| proceeding, against one of the wealthiest and
most vindictive gentlemen of the county,
| struck him with horror.
! my dear STRIP cried the good man, gazing
at me with distended eyes, ''what possible
| grounds can you have fer such an extreme
| proceeding? | grant you that Mr.. Ellenbor-
| Ough's Will was n very extraordinary one
under the circumstances; but what imagin-
| able proof have you of such grave, such a
Uery grave charge against Mr.. Wescop | am
not a particular admirtr of that gentleman.
| indeed have more than once been dispose d
TO think the will might be set aside upon the
ground of mental disability IN the testator--
but reaLiy-to grant warrant to arrest MIR.
Wescot on charge OF forgery"
The good man paused, out of breath. /
then spoke | told him of my visit to Isaac,
and what had seen of Bright and Holtz-
called 10 his memory many circumstances
attending the last hours of Mr.. Peterborough,
and liid before him the desperate state of this
case 1t was all in vain: this last considera-
ton was fatal. He even doubted IL he
should be willing for me TO take any such
steps" | rose, bowed coldly, and without
asking for Miss Peterborough, set out for the
residence of another magistrate near by. /
was more than ever determined. This time
experienced less difficulty. i had found a
parsonage who did not particularly admire
Wescot-indet d, he hated him with fervor;
and he granted me the warrants.
| st off with them at once, and returned
RAPIDLY To the village. The shades of night
were descending, however, aud it was too
late To attempt any thing that day. bad
my powder mine prepared Tor the morrow,
however: and | retired, worn out with the
events of the day.
On the next morning when l rose, a SER
want handed me the following note, which had
been brought Mt a late hour on the night
before:
Miss Peterborough earnestly requests Mr..
Wadsworth to her Tomorrow morning,
before lsoiag To Hockey. Pray do not fail.
With a gloomy anticipation of the young
lady's wish in the matter, | ordered my car
riage aud repaired To Mr.. Haryard's-
CHAPTER