The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-05-07

gained the street at the close of the per-
formance.
"Ycs," said George ''it was the 23d of
December. His daughter received a tele-
gram from ner cousin, announcing the fact
the same day. But why do you ask %
81 have q reason which may or may not
prove a good one, l returned and stating
that 1 had business engagements for the
whole of the next day, parted with my
friend, promising to meet him on the fol-
lowing evening.
Next afternoon found me at the abode of
Mr.. Parsons, the surgeon.
"Mr. Parsons, l presume ?'' were the
words with which l accosted the man had
seen at the theater.
eyes, sir.''
''You may not remember me, Mr.. Par
sons, but believe we met before.''
81 beg your pardon. sir, for not recollect-
ing the occasion"
"You We're in Southampton last winter
were you not?''
81 was,'' he answered, with some embar-
rassment.
81 am the solicitor on whom you called
to take draft of wll.''
He turned pale, but made no reply.
81 saw copy Of that will at Doctors
Commons this morning." 1 resumed, land
-''
''You speak of my uncle's will,'' he has
tiy interrupted.
''And yet," continued, ''you said it was
yours when you applied to have it written.
You represented yourself as desirous of
executing such a document preparatory 10
embarlSing on perilous voyage. The pa
per was drawn in accoI dance with your i'll
structions, leaving the date to be filed at
the time Of signing. Your locks were gray
then, and you crt,iuly looked old enough
to have marliageb!e daughter but your
disguise was not perfect" And pointed
to the mutiiated finger.
"Nhat do you mean?" he shouted, in n
defiant tone.
Simply that your uucle's signature to
that will is a forgery ~ | answered, rising
and conf onting him. Gle died OH the 2:,d
of December. Your own telegram to that
effect is in existence. 1t was on the 9th,
the day before Christmas, that you called
on me to prepare that document now on
record as his will. The inference is plain:
you undertook to manufacture this spur ions
testament after your unclc's death, and
wishing to clothe your villiany in legal
form, you procured from me the required
draft. You, or some one at your ins.iga-
ton, simulated the signature of deceased.
The witnesses, who have since perjured
themselves in their dispositions, were pro-
cured in some manner best known to your
self-''
enough, si1," he calculated, placing his
back against the door 'you have shown
yourself in possession of a secret the custo-
dy of which may prove dangerous ~
81 am not unprepared for threat l re-
Piled. '1n the first place. did not come
here unarmed; in the next, / have prepared
a full written statement of the facts to
which / have alluded. with information.
besides, of my present visit to yourself.
The paper will be delivered to the friend to
whom it is directed, unless within an hour
/ reclaim it from the messenger, who has
retain it,
HIS face grew livid. His franc quivered
with mingled fear and rage, and his eye
cleaned like that of wild beast at bay.
''What is your purpose ?'' he exclaimed
in voice hoarse with suppressed passion.
"To keep your secret while you live," 1
answered, 'ot. one condition.
"Name it,
"That you write instantly to Julia Par
sons, renouncing all pretensions to her
hand, and absolutely Withdrawing your
proposal of marriage
After a moments pause he hastily penned
a brief note, which he submitted to my
inspection it was quite satisfactory.
''Be SO good as to seal and address it,"
I said.
He did so.
81 will see that it is delivered" 1 re-
marked, taking it up aud bowling myself
out.
When l met George Dixon that evening,
lis old college look had come back He
had great news to tell me. The next thing
was to take me to see Julia !; and it is need
less to tell what a happy evening we three
spent together, and what happy marriage
followed not long after.
Elbridge Parsons. l have just learned,
em:grated for Australia, on board the Lon
don, and went down in that ILL., fated ship.