Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-12-10
"Who is it?n
'Ethridge Parsons, was the reply.
1.-The nephew of whom vou snole','

| w 1iO 10 ~
'Ethridge Parsons, was the reply.
"Ihe nephew of whom you spoke.''
Docs he resemble his uncle?n was OF
the point of inquiring, but Just then tn,
stranger drew the glove from his right hanC
and saw that the first joint of the middl,
finger was missing, circumstance which
for sufficient reasons, absorbed my atten
ton.
''Do you know the exact date of Mr.
Parsons death:n l asked, when we haC
gained the street at the close of the per
formance.
Yes" said George. ''It was the TWEEN
ty-third of December His daughter re.
ceived telegram from her cousin announ.
cling the fact the same day. But why dc
You askln
Il have reason which may or may moi
prove good one," returned, and, stating
that had business engagements for the
whole next day, l parted with my friend,
promising to meet him on the following
evening.
Next afternoon found me at the house OF
Mr.. Parsons, the nephew.
Mr.. Parsons, / presumed were the
words with which accosted the gentleman
had seen at the theatre.
Yes, SIR"
''Iou may not remember ME, Mr.. Par
sons, but believe that we have met be-
fore"
81 beg your pardon, sir, for not recoilect-
ing the occasion"
"You were in southampton last winter,
were you noti'
Il was" he replied, with some embar-
rassment.
Il am the solicitor on whom you called
to make draft of will"
He turned pale, but made no reply.
Il saw a record of that will at Doctors
Commons this morning." l resumed,
''and-"
You speak of my uncle's WILL he
hastily interrupted.
And yet, d" l continued, you said it was
yours when you applied 10 have it written.
You represented yourself desirous of exc
cutting such document, preparatory to
embarking on a perilous voyage. The
paper was drawn in accordance with your
instructions. leaving the date to be filled in
at the date of signing. Your locks were
gray then, and you certainly looked old
enough to have a marriageable daughter;
but your disguise was not perfect" And
pointed to the mutilated finger.
''What do you meant he shouted III 2
defiant tone.
''Simply that your uncle's signature to
that will is forgery" | answered, rising,
confronting him. ''IIe died on the twenty
third of December Your own telegram
TO that effect is in existence 1t was the
day before Christmas that you called on me
to prepare Che document now on record as
his will. The inference is plain; you un-
dertook to manufacture this spurious tesla
ment after your uncle's death, and, wish
ing to clothe your villainy in legal form.
you procured from me the required draft.
You, or some one at your instigation. SIM
ulated the signature Of the deceased The
witnesses, who have since perjured them
selves in their depositions, were procured
in some manner best known to yourself
Enough, sill" he calculated, placing his
back against the door; ''you have shown
yourself to be in possession of secrets, the
custody of which proves dangerous.
81 am not unpreparcd for your threats, "
| replied s'In the first place, l did not
come here unarmed; in the next, have
prepared a full written statement of the
facts TO which have alluded, with infor-
nation, besides, of my present visit to your
self This paper will be delivered to
friend to whom it is directed, unless within
an hour reclaim it from the messenger,
who has been instructed to retain it for
that length of time"
His face grew livid. His frame quivered
with mingled fear and rage, and his eye
cleaned like that of wild beast at bay.
''What is your purpose" said he, in
voice hoarse with suppressed passion.
"To keep your secret while yon live, on
one condition
'sName it.
''That you write instantly to Julia Par
sons, rcnouncing all pretentions to her hand
and absolutely Withdrawing yOcr proposal
of marriage.
After moments pause he penned
brief note. which he submitted to my in
spection; it was quite satisfactory.
s'Be SO good as to seal and address it,
| said.
He did so.
Il will see that it is delivered" said,
taking it up, and bowling myself out.
When l met George Dickson that even
ing, his old college look had come back.
He had great news to tell me. The next
thing was to take me TO see julia; ana II
is needless to say what happy evening We
spent together, and that happy marriage
followed not long after.
Ethridge Parsons, l have just learned,
emigrated to Australia on board oil the
sIondon, u and went down in that ill-fated
ship.
Cemeteries m Paris.