The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-19
VOLUME 2.
SELECT STORY.
THE MISSING FINGERJOINT.

1t was my first visit to London since
| I had taken up abode and entered on
/ the practice of my profession as a solici-
tor at Southampton.
In London l had very dear friend,
my old college chum, George Dickson;
and as he was the only person / knew in
the great metropolis, of course l lost no
time in looking him up. Three years
had passed since our last meeting; but
ten could scarcely have produced a
change more marked than had taken
place in the appearance and manner of
my friend.
| Our first greetings and friendly in
quiries over, longed, yet forbore, to
ask the cause of my friends melancholy.
felt sure, in due time, of being made
the confidant OF the secret, provided no
motive of delicacy prompted its conceal
meut.
/ That evening, in my room at the ho-
\ tel, George told me his story. He had
| formed an attachment for young lady,
whose graces of mind and person he por-
trayed with all the fervor of lovers
I eloquence. She had returned his affec-
ton; but her father had opposed his suit,
/ having set his heart on the marriage of
his daughter to a nephew of his. This
nephew was young surgeon, of protii-
gate character, my friend assured me-
but that may have been prejudiee-who
had long, but unsuccessfully, wooed his
cousin, to whom his proffers were as re-
pugnant as to her father they were ac
ceptable.
Some months since, Mr.. Parsons, the
young lady's father, had gone into
Hampshire on business, accompanied
| by his nephew. At Southampton he
| had been seized by a sudden illness,
which terminated fatally in three days.
On the day preceding his death he
had executed will (Which had since
been proved by the depositions of the at
testing witnesses,) containing solemn
request that his daughter, to whom he
| left the whole of his estate, should ac-
cept the hand of his nephew in marriage,
coupled with provision that in case the
latter offered, and she refused, within a
specified period, to enter into the pro-
posed union, the entire estate devised to
the nephew.
To sacrifice her fortune to her
hearts choice would not have cost Julia
Parsons moments hesitation; and moth
ing could have more delighted George
Dickson than so fair an opportunity of
showing how superior his devotion was
to all considerations of personal advan-
tage. But her fathers dying request, in
Julia's eyes, was sacred. 1t had surpris-
ed and stunned her, it is true; for, in
their many conferences on the subject,
he had never gone beyond the most kind
i ly remonstrance, and had never even
hinted at anything like coercion.
Young Parsons, the nephew, had not
the magnanimity to forego his ungener-
Gus advantage. He might have been
content with his Cousins fortune alone,
but his right to that depended on his Of
fer and her rejection of an alliance which
she felt in conscience bound to accept.
! The brief season of grace, which she had
been compelled to beg even with tears,
had already almost passed, and few
more days would witness the condemna-
tion of two lives to hopeless misery.
At the conclusion of my friends mar
rative, in which, for reasons that may
hereafter be developed, felt pecu
liar interest, prevailed upon him to
accompany me to place of amusement,
to which had previously procured tick
cts.
When we reached the theatsr, the per-
formance had already begun; but we sue
ceeded in finding seats which command
ed fair view both of the stage and the
audience.
In few moments George touched my
elbow.
"Observe the gentleman nearly oppo'
site, in the front row, seated next the
column, leaning his arm on his cane,
he whispered.
/ looked in the direction indicated
{ and saw a face whose striking resem
blance to one I had seen before caused
E me to start with surprise.
"Who is it?" 1 asked.
"Eldridge Parsons" was the reply.
"The nephew of whom you spoke?"
, "The same," my friend answered.
"Does he resemble his uncle?" / wal
on the point of inquiring; but just ther
! the stranger drew the glove from hi
! right hand, and l saw that the first join
g of the middle finger tOas trunting, circum
. stances which, for sufficient reason, alb
g sorbed my attention.
"Do you know the exact date of Mr.
4 Parsons death?" 1 asked, when we hat
!. gained the street at the close of the per
: formance.
% eyes," said George; "it was the 23'
ia of December. His daughter received
+ telegram from her cousin, announcing
i the fact the same day. But why do yo'
= ask?"
IT have reason which may or ma
not prove a good one," 1 returned; an
stated that had business engagement
+ for the whole of the next day, | parte
in with my friend, promising to meet hir
a. on the following evening.
;c Next afternoon found me at the abod
Is of Mr.. Parsons, the surgeon.
10 "Mr. Parsons, presumed" were til
Of words with which accosted the gentle
N man had seen at the theater.
ne Eyes, sir"
h "You may not remember me, NJ
No Parsons, but believe we have met b
o. FORE"
= II beg your pardon, sir, for not rec0
:. lecting the OCCASION"
"You were in Southampton last viii
ter, were you not?"
by 81 was" he answered, with some en-
an | harraasmant