Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-02-14
THE FORGED WILL.

L ndu taken up my aOOue anu SLltSIeu
on the practice of my profession as sol
icitor of Southampton.
In London had very dear friend,
my old friend, my college chum, George
Dickson; and as he was the only per-
son knew in the great metropolis, of
course | lost no time i'll looking him
up.
Three years had passed since our last
meeting. but ten could have scarcely
produced change more marked than
had taken place i'll the appearance and
manner of my friend.
Our first greetings and friendly III
quiries over, longed yet forbore to ask
the cause of my friends melancholy. |
felt sure, in due time, OF being made
the contidant of the secret, provided no
motive of delicacy prompted its con-
cealment.
That evening, i'll 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 portrayed with all the fervor of n
lovers eloquence. She had returned
his affection, but her father had OPP
posed his suit, having set his heart on
the marriage OF his daughter to Il
nephew of his.
This nephew was II young surgeon, of
protiigate character, my friend assured
me.-but thay have been prejudice
who had long, but unsuccessfully, wooed
his cousin, to whom his offers were rs
repugnant MS to her father they were ae-
ceptable.
Some months since. Mr.. Parsons. the
young lady's father, had gone into
Hampshire on business, accompanied
10y his nephew. At southampton, he
had been seized by sudden illness,
which terminated fatally in three days.
On the day preceding his death he
had executed n will (Which had since
been duly proved by the dispositions of
the attesting witness) containing II sol
emn request that his daughter, to
whom he lett the whole of his estate,
should accept the hand of his nephew
in marriage, coupled with the provision
that in case the latter offered, and she
refused within specified period to en-
ter into the proposed union, the whole
estate designed Tor the daughter should
be forfeited to the nephew.
To sacrifice her fortune to her hearts
choice would not have cost Julia Par
sons 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 thought of personal advantage.
But her fathers dying request, i'll Julia's
eyes was sacred. 1t had surprised and
-, ha,. - . 60,
ences on the subject he had never gone
beyond the most kindly remonstrances,
and he never limited at anything like CO.
ercion.
Young Parsons, the nephew, had not
the magnanlmity to forego his ungener-
Gus advantage. He might have been
content with his cousins fortune alone,
but his right to that depended on his
offer and her rejection to 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
condemnation of two lives to hopeless
misery.
At the conclusion of my friends mar
rative, III which, for reasons that may
hereafter be developed, felt peculiar
interest, prevailed upon him to accom-
pany me TO II place of amusement, to
which | had previously procured tickets.
When we reached the theatre the per-
formance had already begun, but we
succeeded in finding seats which COM
manded fine view both of the stage
and the audience.
In few moments George touched my
elbow
"Observe the gentleman nearly OPP
posite, in the front row, seated next to
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 | had seen before caused
me to start with surprise,
"Who is it, | asked.
Ethridge Parsons, was the reply.
The nephew of whom you spoke"
Does he resemble his umcle?" | was
on the point Of inquiring, but then the
stranger drew the glove from his right
hand, and | saw that the first joint Of
the middle finger was missing, a circum-
stance which for sufficient reasons abb
sorbed my attention.
Do you know the exact date OF Mr..
Parsons death ." | asked, when we had
gained the street at the close of the per-
Torrance.
eyes" said George, at was the 23d
Of December. His daughter received
telegram from her cousin announcing
the fact the same day. But why do you
ask"
q have reason which may OF may
not be a good one" / returned; and
stating that had business engagements
for the whole Of the next day, parted
with my friend, promising to meet him
on the following evening.
Next afternoon found me at the house
Of Nj. Parsons, the nephew.
Mr.. Parsons, presume were the
words with which accosted the gentle
man | had seen at the theatre.
Yes, sir
You may not remember me, Mr.
Parsons, but believe we have met be-