Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1875-03-04


telegram from her cousin, announcing
the fact the same day. But why do yor
ask"
81 have reason which may or may
not prove a good one," / returned anC
stating that had business engagements
for the whole of the next day, parted
with my friend, promising to meet hin
on the following evening.
Next afternoon found me at the abode
of Mr.. Parsons, the surgeon.
"Mr. Parsons, l presume 2" were the
words with which accosted the gentle
man 1 had seen at the theater.
"Yes, SIR"
"You may not remember me, Mr..
Parsons, but believe we have met be-
fore
81 beg your pardon, sir, fc- not recol-
Letting the occasion.
"You were in southampton last win
ter, were you notl"
81 was" he answered, with some en-
barrassment.
81 am the solicitor on whom you
called to take draft of a viii. .
He turned pale, but made no reply.
81 saw a record of that Will at Doctors
Commons this morning." l resumed,
"and-"
''You speak of my oscle's WILL" he
hastily interrupted.
"And yet" I continued, "you said it
was yours when you applied to lave it
written. You represented yourself as de-
sirous of executing such document pre-
paratory to embarking on perilous voy-
age. The paper was drawn in accordance
with your instructions, leaving the date
to be filed in at the time of signing. Your
locks were gray then, and you certainly
looked old enoughto have manageable
daughter; bat your disguise was not
perfect" And pointed to the mutt
lated finger.
"What do you mean :" he shouted in
a defiant tone.
"Simply that your uncle's signature to
that will is a forgery - answered, rising
and confronting him. He died on the
23d of December. Your own telegram
to that effect is in existence. 1t was on
the oath, the day before Christmas, that
you called on me to prepare the docu-
ment now on record as his will. The in
ference is plain You undertook to mapn-
facture this spurious testament after your
uncle's death, and wishing to clothe your
villainy in legal form, you procured from
me The required draft. You, or some one
at your instigation, simulated the sigma
trlre of the deceased. The witnesses,
who have since periured themselves liz
their dispositions, were procured in some
manner hes. known to yourself"
Enough, sir, he CALCULATED, placing
his back against the door "you have
shown yourself in possession Of secret
the custody of which may prove danger
ous.'
"I am not unprepared for your threat, "
replied. SIN the first place, did not
come here unarmed in the next, have
prepared full written statement of the
facts to which l have alluded, with infor-
nation, besides, of my present visit to
yourself. This paper Will be delivered
to the friend to whom it is directed, I'M
less within an hour l reclaim it from
the messenger, who has been instructed
for that length Of time to retain it"
His face grew ivid. His frame quiv-
cred with mingled fear and rage, and
his eye cleaned like that Of wild beast
at bay.
"What is your pnrpose?" he ex-
claimed in voice .Loarse withsupTressed
passion.
"To keep your secret while you live,
I answered, son one condition.
"Name il.
"That you write instantly to Julia
Parsons, renouncing al pretensions to
her hand, and absolutely Withdrawing
your proposal of marriage"
After moments pause, hehashly
penned brief note, which he sub
mitted to my inspection it was quite
satisfactory.
"Be SO good as to seal and address it, "
/ said.
He did so.
"I will see that it is delivered" 1 re-
marked, taking it UP and bowling myself
out.