The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-07-02
inued to administer it. Oh, Adam Var

Until that moment the man sat like
one upon whom some stunning blow had
fallen-sat gazing upon me with stare
almost idiotic; but, as thus spoke his
name, he started to his feet, evidently
forgetful of everything save the picture
of his dying uncle, and of the accusation
/ had laid upon him. His lips were
color'ess, his cheeks blanched, his eyes
glaring wildly, as eyes glare when one
has suddenly discovered ghost in the
solemn gloom, and his fingers were
clutched in the bosom of his shirt.
"By the great God that made me +"
he yelled, "yOu lie when you say that
to me. never harmed my uncle-never,
never, never! never gave him any an
timony, and never hatched up the thing
for aIiSbody else to do. never gave
him anything while he was i'll. He'd tell
we so if he was living. He'd tell We it
wasn't me-"
1t would be utterly impossible for me
to describe the looks with which Mrs.
Varney regarded her husband as he thus
spoke. Suffice it to say that the spirits
of rage, modification, disgust, hatred,
fear, agony, spite and vindictiveness pos
sessed her soul by turns. Nancy's direct
confession could not have strength
that she had done the murder. further
more knew, from information derived
from DIR. Turner. that the money which
Eben Varney had left was all in the
bank. Indeed, everything save the real
estate was at present in the bank
Having arrived at this point, l deter
mined to make quick work of it. So.
while the woman was still glaring at her
husband, arose to my feet and took my
hat; aud, as they looked to see what this
movement meant, l said to them, Dr.
Turner does not yet know of this thing
1t is known at present only to myselfand
to few gentlemen who assisted me in
the investigation. For one week we will
keep the investigation to ourselves; and
if, at the end of that time, you have dis
posed of the property as l have dictated,
/ give you my word you shall be per-
mitted to continue to live with only such
punishment as your own consciences may
bring upon you. And God knows that
punishment will not be light If, how
ever, at the end of the week you shall
not have done as l have hidden, then
of the law. Here is a written list of the
bequests as / gave them to you, so you
can make no mistake" And here
threw the scrap of paper upon the table.
Now go and do as / have said; and be
sure you can not obtain guinea from
the bank without my knowledge"
"You-you-ca can't prove It'll You
can't prove it" the woman shrieked, as
l moved towards the door.
l stopped, and turned, and met her
gaze.
"Nancy Varney," I said, "your dead
uncle is the witness l shall bring against
you" And with this departed.
Five days after / was in the town of
Bortondale again, and l made it in my
way to call on DIR. Turner; and, in the
course of conversation, he said to me,
"By the way, Lord, those Varneys have
done curious thing. They have been
to Thompson and Borthwick, the lawyers,
and have, of their own free will, declared
that it was their uncle's dying request
that of his property tenthousand pounds
should be given to Mary Downing, five
thousand to the children of the brothers
widow, one thousand to the church, and
that the rest should be safely invested
for the benefit of the poor and friendless
children of the town, reserving to them
selves only the estate upon which they
have lived. Curious, now-very curious,
isn't it ?"
at is curious" admitted. And then
l asked him what people thought itmeant.
"Well," said he, "the general impress
sion is that the old man left will to this
effect, and that they have destroyed it,
and their troubled consciences have led
them to the course they have taken"
"And what will the solicitors and the
bankers do?" / asked.
"They have concluded to dispose of
the property as has been thus suggested,
and ask no further questions"
In the spring / saw DIR. Turner again,
and he told me that the Varneys had
sold their property in Bortondale, and
gone to America.