The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1870-04-07


performance had rlready begun; but
We succeeded 10 finding seats which
commanded fair view both of the
stage and the audience.
In u few moments George touched
my elbow.
"Observo the gentleman nearly cppo-
site, in the front Of the parQucttc, seated
next the column. leaning his arm on
his cane" he whispered.
| looked in the direction indicated
and saw n face whose striking rcsem-
bance u one had seen before caused
me to start wi h surprise.
"Who is il ~ | asked
"Eldrdgc Parsons" was the reply
"Thc nephew OF whom you spoke -
The same" my triaud answered.
Does he resemble his uncle p was
on the poiot of inquiring. but just then
the stranger drew the glove from hi,
right hand, and | saw that the first
ljnint of the middle finger was wanting,
a circumstance which, for sufficient
reason, absorbed my attention.
do you know the exact date of Mr.
Parsons death Z" asked, when we had
rcgainrd the street at the close Of the
performance.
Yes. said George it was the
23l OF December Ills daughter re-
ccvcd n telegram from her cousin an
nouncng the fact the same day. But
why do you ask :"
Il have reason which may or may
no, prove Il good one" returned /;
and stating that had business en-
eagemcn,s for the whole ol the next
lay, parted with my friend, promis-
ing to meet him on the following even
ing.
Next afternoon found me II. the
Office OF DR.. Parsons.
"Dr. Parsons. presume ~ were
the words with which acciust'd the
Gentlemen had seen at the theatIc.
Yes, sir.
"Sou may nOt remember me. Doc
tor, hut believe we have met he.
FORE
II beg pardon. SIR, for no, reco,lect-
IYng the occasion.
You were in New Orleans last Win.
ter, were you not p
81 was, he answered with some EN-
barrasSmeut
Il IN the gentleman on whom you
called TO draft will
lie turned pale and made no reply.
saw record Of that will in tn
Surrogates Office this morning. | re-
suUcd. land u
You speak OF my mcle'S will,' he
hastily interrupted.
And yeti | continued, You said
il was yours when you applied TO have
il written. You represented yourself
as DESTROYS OF executing such II dOcu.
mcnt preparatory to embarSing on u
perlous voyage. The paper was drawn
according to your instructions, leaving
the date to be filled at the timc of
signing Your locks were gray then
and you certainly linked old enough
to have Il marrlageablc daughter, but
your disguise was not perfect, aud
pointed to the mu'tiIaiej Niger.
What, . you mcanY' he shouted
in a defiant tone, spriuging to his feet
Simply that your Uncle signature
to that paper is focg@ry' | answered
rising and confronting him. lie died
on the 'weniy Hird Of December. Your
own telegram to that effect is in exist
cnce. 1t Was on the tceaiy .tOmM the
dav before Chais'mas, that you called
IN me 20 prepare the paper now on 70
cord as his will. The inference is
plain you undertook to manufacture
this spurious testement atier your
uncle's death aud wishing TO clcthe
your viIlainy 10 leagal form, you pro-
cured from me tho required draft
You, or some one at you mitigation
simu lated the signature Of your uncle.
The witnesses, who have since perjur-
ed themselves in their dispositions,
were procured IN some way bes. known
to yoursef-
Enoush, sir = be CALCULATED. You
have shown yourself in possession Of a
secret the custody OF which may prove
dangerOos.'
i am not unprepared for you threat,
replied. In the first place. | did
not come here unarmed in the next
| have prepared n full written siate-
mcnt Of the facts to which have a.
luded, with information, besides, Of my
present visit to yourself. This paper
will be delivered to the friend TO whom
it is directed, unless wi,hio an hour !
reclaim it from the messenger, who
has been instructed for that length OF
time TO retain it,
His face grow -liyid, His frame
quivercd with mingled fear and rage,
and his Eye sgleamed like that of.s
wild beast at bay. -
What is your purpc,-.esi heck claim. .
ed in Voice hoarse with suppressed
passion
TO keep your secret while you
live, on one condition.
Name it,
! THAT You write instantly to Julia
Parsons. renouncing all pretenfioos to
her haud, and absolutely Withdrawing
your proposal Of marriage ,
Afier q moments pause, he quietly
seated himself at his desk aud hastily
penned u brief note, which be submit-
ed to my inspection; it was quite sat.
Iisfactory.