Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-03-01
THE FORGED WILL.

the practice Of my profession as solicitor
Of Southampton.
In London l had very dear friend,
my old friend, my college chum, George
Dickson; and as he was the only person
person knew in the great metropolis
Of course lost no time hunting him mp.
Three years had passed since onr last
meeting, but ten could have scarcely
produced change more marked than
had taken place in the appearance ana
manner Of my friend.
Our first greetings and friendly inqui-
ries over, longed, yet forbore, to 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 at the hotel'
George told me his story. he had farm
ed an attachment for q young lady,
whose graces of mind and person he
portrayed with all the fervor of a lovers
eloquence. She had returned his affec-
ton. but her father had opposed his
suit, having set his heart on the mar
rage of his daughter to nephew.
This nephew was q young surgeon, OF
profligate character, my friend assured
ne-but that may have been prejudice
who had long, but unsuccessfnlly,
woed his cousin, to whom his offers were
rs repugnant as to her father they were
acceptable.
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 duly proved by the dispositions Of
the attesting witness) containing sol
emn request that his daughter, to whom
he left the whole of his estate, should
accept the hand of his nephew in mar
rage, coupled with the provision that
in case the latter offered, and she refused
within specified period to enter into
the proposed union, the whole estate de-
yised for the daughter should be forfeit
ed to the nephew.
To sacrifice her fortune to her helrt'
choice would not have cost Julia Par
sons q moments hesitation; and nothing
could have more delighted George Dick
son than so fair an opportunity of show
ing how superior his devotion was to al
thought of personal advantage. Blu
her fathers dying request, in Julia
ewes. was sacred. It had surprised AM
stunned her, it is true, for in their con
ferences on the subject he had neve
gone beyond the most kindly remon
strances, and had never limited anything
like coercion.
Young Parsons, the nephew, had no
the magnanimity to forego his ungene1
ons advantage. He might have bee
content with his cousins fortune alone
but his right to that depended on hi
offer and her rejection to an alllanc
which she felt in conscience bound t
accept. The brief season of grace whic
she had been compelled to beg eve
with tears, had already almost passed
and q few days would witness the COZ
domination of two lives to hopeless mi
cry.
At the conclusion Of my friends ma
rative, in which, for reasons that ma
hereafter be developed, felt a peculi'
interest, prevailed upon him to accom-
pany me to a place Of amusement,
which had previously procured tlcl
cts.
When we reached the theatre tt
performance had already begun, but v
succeeded in finding seats which cor
manded a fine view both Of the stage oil
the audience.
In few moments George touched n
elbow.
"Observe the man nearly opposite,
the front row, seated next to the &C
umn, leaning his arm on his cane"
whispered.
Hooked in the direction indicate
and saw q face whose striking rese1
blance to one had seen before caus
me to start with surprise.
"Who is it ~ l asked.
"Ethridge Parsons was the reply.
"The nephew of whom you spoke =
"Does he resemble his uncle {" l "
on the point of inquiring, but then t
stranger drew the glove from his rig
hand, and saw that the first joint
his middle finger was missing, a clrcu
stance which for sufficient reasons
sorbed my attention.
"Do you know the exact date OF
Parsons death'" l asked, when we b
gained the street at the close Of the P
formance.
eyes" said George, cit was the 2Sd
December. His daughter received
telegram from her cousin announce
the fact the same day. But why do J
ask"
81 have reason which may or n
not prove good one" I returned;
stating that l had business engageme
for the whole Of the next day, par
with my friend, promising to meet
the following evening.
Next afternoon found me at the no
of Mr.. Parsons, the nephew.