Weekly Trinity journal., 1875-04-10

SenSlJlNG nature was Shockeu, ana / coulu .
not see my way very clear to turn Uncle
Joe out of the house bat my scruples
were suddenly dissipated.
received a note next day from the old .
family solicitor, Mr.. Sawyer. After the
usual greetings he asked il l knew man /
who went by the name Of Joseph Courcy. |
answered he was then stopping at my
house.
Are You sure that is his name p
why, of course am ; he is my un-
Gle. He told me SO himself"
"Indeed Then allow me to inform
you have strong reasons to believe that
this man is an impostor."
"Gracious powers You don't say so
How ?"
ain the first place, this is much
younger man than your uncle would be
and in the second place, | happen to
know that your uncle has been dead for
ten years"
"Dear me? And for these reasons
you think this man cannot be my unce ?"
For these reasons | think this man
cannot be your uacle."
| reflected for some minutes, and
could not but admit that the lawyers
conclusion was just.
Nevertheless" )" said, al must stil
regard him as an uucle-as more than an
uncle Alas how few uncles SO well de-
serve the name "
Tho lawyer looked puzzled.
"Know," said |, that he whom you
SO cruelty stigmaule as an impo,tor has
conferred upon me the greatest OF bone
fits. lie has promised to make me heir
to all his wealth."
The lawyer laughed.
$50 he has been humbuggng you too,
has he? | don't believe the fellow has
five pounds in the world"
g. am sure he has" said. He has
won more than that from me at card,.'
But | began to feet uncomfortable,
" But this is not the worst. fear no
has designs upon your aunt, Miss
| Ldlllclap."
" Hal"
Then the lawyer told me all. Miss
Lllicrap, accompanied by Uncle Joe,
had called on him the previous day, and
informed him that she wished to sell out
certain shares which she possessed. She
intended to invest tho money in some
Australian mining company, which was
paying large dividends, and which had
been strongly recommended by her friend
Joseph Courcy.
The lawyer was naturally curious to
learn something of Joseph Courcy, and
was rather surprised to find that he was
lhen in that geutlemans presence, and
that he was my uncle. Further he wa.
informed that Miss LiIicrap was to be
come Mrs. Courcy very shortly; bat that
for the present it was to be secret, lie
had made no remark, but told Miss Lii
licrap that her business would take some
tune to transact, and that she had better
call on him in Il couple Of days.
- expect" said he " that they will be
in my office at . o'clock Tomorrow"
"And now" said Mr.. Sawyer, 81 will
tell you shortly what | know Of the mat
ter. Your uncle, Joseph Courcy, went
out twenty years ago. He had been
bankrupt and I was left Trustee Of the
estate. The cause Of his bankruptcy was
fast living and bad society. He was ac-
companied to Melbourne by one Thomas
Bryne, "A person with whom he had been
for some time intimate, and who was one
of those who helped him TO his ruin. 1t
was afterwards discovered that this Bryne
had been guilty Of a forgery, for which
crime he is still liable. Your uncle died
in Melbourne ten years ago; and tits this
fellow, Brync, who now personates him.
From inquiries | believe that he is almost
without money, and his object evidently
is to gct possession OF your auut's proper
ty either by marriage or otherwise"
The Internal, mercenary scoundrel !"
| exclaimed. But we will baulk him. !"
" Yes, | think we will. Call at my Of
fee little before . o'clock tomorrow
and we will arrange what is best to be
done"
" Fear not, / will be there. Good day,
my very dear sir good day"
Next day | was at Mr.. Sawyega Office
shortly before : o'clock. His expected
visitors had 40 .rrlyed but they came
presently. They both seemed somewhat
Disconnected on seeing me, and sat for
some moments without speaking. Miss
LilIicrap was the first to recover herself.
"Of course, Mr.. Sawyer" she said,
you will understand that we wish this
to be a private meeting"
"Oh, certainly. Only your nephew,
Mr.. Courcy is here by my invitation, as
1 thought you ght want his assistance"
1--WE neither require nor desire it,"
said Miss Lilicrap rising.
BY no means,' said Uncle Joe stand
ing up and looking digniied.
e" Before We proceed to business, them"
said the lawyer, may | ask you, Miss
Lillicrap, il you are aware Of the charac-
ter OF the person sitting beside you ?"
Halo, airl Do you use this language
to me ?" said Uncle Joe clustering.
~ do not understand you" iatercd
Miss Lillicrap.
/ mean simply to say that fellow is
an impostor."
I'm break your lawyers head for you
if you call me such names," said Uncle
Joe.
"No you won't, my man, / know you.
Your name is Thomas Bryne. You are