Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-03-21

me at first as an oddi,y in the way OF
chirOgraphy.
"Did he always write like this P"
carelesly asked the girl.
Yes, sir. always" she replied.
And then told her TO accompany me
to Proctor's Office and | would take the
preliminary steps to secure the estate to
her. Virginia being under age. could
not be appointed Administrative of Jacob
Sheimire's and it was my purpose to
consult with the proctor aud procure the
appointment of some honest. trustworthy
man. who wonld discharge the trust with
hdelity TO the girl and all others interest.
These latter would be few or none, as
the girl had informed me that her grand
Esther never contracted any debts that
she knew of, and that no bills had teen
sent to the house since his death, some
weeks before.
The proctor's office was approached
by flight OF stairs, half way mp which
we meta man descending noticed
nothing about him except that he had
thick. black beard and mustach, keen
eye. and was dressed In a suit OF fash
ionable Gu, and make, and sported
large, elit,ering watch chain He looked
careleSsly at Us and passed down. and
lust behind him came another, a slim
elderly man. whose face seemed familiar
to me- On reaching the top of the stairs
l saw that my companion looked after
them, and | asked ner if she knew them.
Il don't know the first" she replied.
The other is Mr.. Passmore. he used to
help my grandfather sometimes in the
warehouse. He has been selling of the
stock since grandfather died. But |
thought it SO queer be shouldn't speak TO
me. He knows me Just as well as any
one can; but when be saw my face he
looked quite the other way"
The incident did not disturb me at the
time. although did not fail to remember
1t afterwards and attach deep meaning to
ii. We found The proctor alone in his
Office, and | stated our business. The
good man looked at first incredulous, and
then puzzled. and exclaimed: "Well,
this is strange. Did you meet any one on
the stairs ?"
Yes" said; "Mr. PassmOre and
stranger"
"Well, sir. that stranger is called
Rufus Bledsoe. He states to me that he
was a distant relative of the late Mir.
Shelmire's wife, aud that he has the last
will and testament OF Mr.. Shelmire him
self in bis possession. He has applied
for probate upon il, and have granted
him citation returnable on the 18th oi
the present month. There was only one
person to be cited, and she lives in the
city"
Virginia Garvin'" suggested.
"Yes that is the name."
This. of course. was all the information
that the proctor had TO give. Bidding
Virginia follow me, returned TO my
Office.
My lawyers instinct had already sug
gesied a suspicion of foul play in the
proceeding, and alter explaining to the
aslonished girl what had learned, l
inierrogated her about the two men We
had met. Bledsoe she declared she had
never seen.
explained 10 Virginia that nothing
further was to be done in the matter until
the 18th. when the citation 10 attend this
will was returnable | sat down in
brown study after she left the office; and
then. -mping up with sudden impulse,
| snatched up my hat aud went up and
down the streets OF the city until / came
to the diDgy warehouse that still bore on
its weather beaten sign. board overhead
the name of Jacob Shelmire. entered,
and before me were the two men had
met on The surrogate's stairs. They
we're Whispering together over the desk
as entered, and Passmore advanced as
soon as he saw me, and curtly demanded
my business.
The bluntness OF his manner threw
me of my guard, and l asked without
preface, Have you any interest, sir, in
opposition to that OF your late employers
grand daughter ?"
Have you any business TO ask me
such questions ?" he retorted rudely il
not insultingly.
81 am her counsel, slr."I replied,
"and-"
YES, yes" he interrupted. We'll.
sir. the will is to be proved on the 18th,
and il you are present you will know all
81 ont il.
But how is it about the willi"
asked, Virginia insists that there is
none. and"
"She is mistaken" he cody rejoined
"Mr. Passmore," / said, "irom the
relations that have existed between
yourself and this young ladY's grand
father, you should consider it your duty
to acquaiut her with anything that may
happen to your knowledge adverse TO
her interests. ask you now, sir. have
YOU nothing to communicate ?"
Nothing whatever, SIR" he replied
vxi,h a hland smile