New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-10-17

thought of his possible msfortunes was
pleasant to me.
l had wrapped myself up as we came
along in great blue cloak that found in
the dog cart, and, as the night was cold,
and had cough upon me, gathered it's
folds closely about my throat as went up
stairs. An elderly clerk in spcctacles was
sitting in the outer office, busily writing,
his nose close to his paper. To my sur
prise, as l entered the door he sprang to
his feet and went to open an inner door
that led into another office. Here lie briskly
stirred the fire into blaze, lit the gas,
placed chair at the writing table. and
held the door of the room while entered,
smiling a bland, unmeaning smile. Evil
IDENTIFY the man was purblind, and took me
for his master.
At once the impulse seized me to take adj.
vantage of his mistake. / walked into the
inner office, seated myself at the writing
table. II there was any hidden conspiracy
to defraud me of my fathers property, here
was my one chance of detecting it. Dis
missing all ecruples of consciousness, set
resoluteiy to work to search all the drawers
and receptacles that we're unlocked All
without result. There were no papers with
the name of Hargrave on them. Indeed. it
was hardly likely that Bruff would have
left any written evidence of his guilt, if
guilty he were There was this one chance
cleal y in the matter of letters. Evidently
he carried them about in his pockets and
when his pockets we're full he emptied them
upon the nGntleshelf; for that was crammed
with letters creased and solled and worn at
the edges, and hnddled up into all sorts OF
folds.
Rapidly l examined these letters one by
one. AT last was rewarded: here was a
letter in my fathers handwritng-a letter
a rad a fn a ~ ,,v,- -
to will then preparing. But alas it con-
tanned only instructions in complete accord
ance with the will produced at the fu-
neral, and it was written in terms SO clear
aud vigorous that there could be no doubt
that he las in full possession of his facul-
ties. 81 DESIRE" he said at the conclusion,
that my IN should suffer for his neglect
and insoenCe to the very end of his days"
turned away with groan of WEAKNESS
and disappointment. To complete my con.
fusion. beheld Mr.. Brutf there watching
me, his face pale and menacing.
"Whatr' he cried; II have come back
just in time to stop thee. Here, Mr.. In.
spector, come in here; here's the ringleader
of them all robbing my Office
To explain Mr.. Brutfs appearance it is
necessary to revert to the scene of the riot
at Halton. 1t seemed that after had been
driven away, the crowd, believing that
those of whom they were in search had es-
capped, suddenly dispersed, leaving one of
their number-a woman, who had been
most active in the riot-lying on the ground
with broken leg.
The local police, who now ventured to an
pear. had taken possession of this woman,
and MIR. Brutf had put himself under their
protection. With view to the safe Gus.
tody OF the ri0tOus female as well as to
place MIR. Brutf in safety, vehicle had
been driven over to Slapton, containing the
police inspector, Bruff himself, and the
woman, who vas no other than my old
friend Sarah, whom had unwittingIy in
jured by driving over her.
'There's no doubt" said Mr.. Inspector,
looking grayely at me and shaking his
head, THAT it's very suspicious case.
You were seen in conference with this
woman, sir; the riot seems to have been
got up in your interests; you take advan-
tage of it to get away and ransaek Mr..
Bruff's office. Really, cir, if Mr.. Bruff in
sists-"
II do insist shouted Mr.. Bruff "Take
him into custody, Mr.. Inspector"
You insist" cried high pitched female
voice, and Hannah appeared in the door.
way, pale with suppressed passion. "You
cowardly rascal. you'd leave me to be torn
to pieces. Yes, glad enough you'd have
DeenIatter insurlng my life, you wretch
and that young hussey down stairs Oh,
you villain"
Hannah made a desperate dart at her
husband-for such he was-who chung to
the inspector for protection.
Baffted of her spring, Hannah turned to
me. "Ah, Master Dick" she cried, you're
worth dozen of such scoundrels. I'll right
drawing paper from her pocket-"here's
the true will your father made just before
he died, written with his own hands. and
testified by me and Bridget"
Brutf made snatch at the paper but I
was too quick for him, and already had the
document in my possession.
Bruff CRASHED his teeth in rage and terror.
"Well, you fend," he cried, addressing
Hannah, lit was you who tempted me to do
it; You who drew me on to marry you; you
who turned the old mans mind against his
son with your false tales; you who got him
to makes his will; you who brought me over
when the young man had come back, and
his father had softened to him, and set me
to watch for his death, that we might steal
the new will from the box"
Here the police inspector put an end to
further condolences. ut seems to me that
there's pair of yOu," he cried; "but it isn't
my place to listen to you. l shan't take
your charge against this young gent; but if
he asks me to take you into custody for
purloining his fathers will, I'll do it,"
AT this Brutf broke down at once; he
begged of me to forgive him, promising
that he would make amends in every way,
but l refused to listen to his prayers, and
he was removed in custody. Indeed knew
that if he had been left alone with Hannah |
there would have been murder done that |
lght
Then l made MY way with the precious |
paper to the house CT Polkhorn, the other |
awyer, my fathers old friend, To him / |
quickly explained the circumstances and |
showed the paper Hannah had given me, |
i was a short will, dated on the day before |
Hannah had come to SlaptOn to fetch Mr.. |
Brutf. 1t revoked all former wills and left |
Ill his property unreservedly to me, his |
ION.
'Its as right as ninepence," said Mr..
Polkhorn, grasping me by the hand; "and |
,ven II there were any infOrmality in the |
it's dangerous practice to make
wills without lawyer-but if it were in. |
Ormal the revocation is complete. 1t multi |
les all former wills, and as you're the heir
you're right any way"
Mr.. Bruf WAS prosecuted and convicted |
or stealing my fathers will. the circum-
tantial evidence being too strong to break
Town, although we were precluded from
,alid. 1t appeared that Mr.. Bruff and
Hannah had obtained complete asoendency
'ver my father, and had persuaded him to
make the will that had been produced |
lfter his death. The clause which NV
ather had insisted upon, making void the
request in case of Hannah marrying after
lis decease, they had eluded by q secret
marriage during his life. Mr.. Bruff had
ucceeded also in insuring the life of his
vie for $4,000 to secure his interest in her
'nnuity. My return and reconciliation
fathar oil khasu /