The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1875-03-18
THE MISSING rIsGEg.JsISr.

Ia London had i very dear friend,
ny old college chum, George Dickson;
and as he WAS the only person | knew
in the great metropolis, Of course | lost
no time in looking him up. Three years
had passed since our last meeting; but
ten could scarcely have produced a
change moro marked than had taken
place in the appearance and manner OF
my friend.
Our first greetings and friendly inqui,
ries over, lunged, yet forbore, 10 ask
the cause Of my friends melancholy. !
felt sure, in due time, of being made the
confident of the secret, provided no mo
tive Of delicacy prompted its conceal
ment.
That evening, in my room al the no.
tel, George told me his story. lie had
formed tin attachment for young lady,
whose graccs Of mind and person he
portrayed with all the fervOrOf "a lover .
aIoquence. She had returned his afiec-
ton; but her father had opposed his
suit, having set his heart on the mar
riagc of his daughter to a nephew OF his.
This nephew was q young surgeon, of
profilgate character, my friend assured
me-but that may have been prejudice
who had long, but unsuccessinl'y
wooed his cousin. 10 whom his pr. ffers
were as repugnant as to b,r a;hcr they
were acceptable.
Some months since, Mr.. Parsons. the
young lady's father, had gonc into lamp
shire on business, accompanied by his
nephew. AT Southampton no hid been
seized By a sudden illness, which ter
minated fatally in three days.
On the day preceding ais death h,
had executed Il will which had srnrr
been proved by the dispositions Of the
attesting witnesses }, containing a sol
onn request that his daughter, 10 whom
he left the whole of his estate, should
accept the hand of his nephew in m~r
riage, coupled with "a pro. ision tha, in
ease the latter offered, aud she refused
withia L specified period, 10 enter into
the proposed union, the entire es,at.
devised TO the daughter should be for
fitted to the nephew.
10 81 rltirc her fortune TO her heart,
choice would not have cost Julia Par
sons moments hesitation and moth
Dickson than 80 tar an opportunity 81
showing how superior hs devotion wa.
Ia all considerations of personal advan-
t&ge. But her fathers dying request, in
Julia's eyes, WAS sacred. Ii had sur.
prised and stunned her, il is true; tor,
in their many conferences on the sub
ject, he had never gone beyond the mos,
kiddly remonstrance, and had nevci
even hinted III ANYTHING like coercion.
Young Parsons, the nephew, had not
the magnanlmi;y To forego his ungonei
ons advantage. He might have been con
tent with his cousins fortune alone, hur
his right To that depended on has offer
aud 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, aud 4 few
more days would witness the condemna-
ton OF two lives to hopeless misery.
At the conclusion of my friends mar
raIive, in which, for reasons that may
hereafter be developed, felt peculiar
interest, prevailed upon him to accom-
pany mo toa place of amusement, to
which had previously procured tick
cts.
When we reached the theater the per-
formancc had already begun; bat we
succeeded in finding seats which com
mandei fair view both OF The stage and
the audience.
In few moments George touched my
elbow
"Observe the gentleman ncarly op-
posite, in the front row, seated next the
column, leaning his arm on his cane"
he whispered.
| locked IN the direction indicated,
and saw face whose striking resem-
blance To ons had seen before caused
mo to START with surprise.
who is it asked.
Eldridgc Parsons" was The reply.
The nephew of whom you spnke?"
"The same" ny friend answered.
"D0es he resemble his uncle 2" was |
on tho point of inquiring; but inst then /
the stranger drew The glove from his /
right hand, and saw that tie first Joint
OF the mIddte finger udS 1rdRttaq, a cir. /
absorbed my attention.
- DO you KNOW inc exact date OF Mr.. /
Parsons death ?" | asked, when we had 1
gained the street at the close of the per /
Torrance.
"le~," said George, it was the 23d /
Of December. HIS daughter received
Telegram tram her cousin, announcing
the fact the same day. But why do you
ask ?"
I" have reason which may or NAV
not prove good one" returned aud
stating that had business engagements
for the whole OF the next day, parted
with my friend, promising TO meet him
on tho following evening.
Next afternoon found me at the abode
of Mr.. Parsons, the surgeon.
I" Mr.. Parsons, presume ," were the
words with whirh acco>tcd the gentle. /
man | had seen at The thcaier
"Ycs, sir"
You may not remember me, Mr..
Parsons, bnt believe we have met be.
fore"
81 beg your pardon, sir. for no, rccol. !
lcciing The occasion"
/" You were in Southampton last win.
ter, were you nut?'
al was" he answered, with some en-.
barrassmcnt.
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