The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-12-25


finger was missing, circumstance which,
for sufficient reasons, absorbed my attcn-
ton.
"Do you know the exact date of Mr..
Parsons death2" I asked, when wo had
gained the street at the close of tho per.
fornInnce.
"Ycs," said George. ut was the twen-
ty-third OF December. His daughter re-
ceivcd telegram from her cousin announ-
cing tho fact the same day. But why do
you ask2n
II have reason which may or may not
prove good one," returned, and, stating
that had business engagements for the
whole next day, parted with my friend,
promising to meet him on tho following
evening.
Next afternoon found me at the house of
Mr. Parsons, the nephew.
''Sir. Parsons, presumed" were the
words with which Iaccostcd the gentleman
had seen at tho theatre.
''Ycs, SIR" ...... .,, .....
''You may not remember me, MIR. Par.
sons, but believe that wo have met be-
FORE"
II beg your pardon, sir, for not rccollect-
ing the OCCASION"
'You were in Southampton last winter
were you not2"
II was" he replied, with some cmbsr-
rassmcnt.
Il am the solicitor on whom you called
to make draft Of will"
lie turned pale, but made no reply.
81 saw record of that will at Doctors
Commons, this morning." resumed,
s'and--" ....
"You speak of my uncc's will" he
hastily interrupted.
"And yet" continued, you said it was
yours when you applied to have it written.
You represented yourself desirous of exc
cutting such a document, preparatory to
embarking on 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 marriagcablc daughter;
but your disguise was not perfect" And
1pointcd to the mutilated finger.
"What do you mean2" he shouted In q
defiant tone. e..
'Simply that your uncles signature TO
that will is forgcry!" 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 tho document now on record az
his will. The Inference is plain; you un-
dertook to manufacture this spurious tcsta-
mcnt after your unclc's death, and, wish
ing to clothc your villainy in legal form,
you procured from me tho required draft.
You, or some ono at your instigation, sim
ulatcd tho signature Of the deceased Tho
witnesses, who have since perjurcd them
selves in their dcpositions, were procured
in some manner best known to yourself-'
'Enough, SIR" he calculated, placing his
back against tho door; ''you have shown
yourself to be in possession of secrets, the
custody of which proves dangerous
II am not unprcparcd for your threats"
replied. SIN the first place, did not
come hero unarmcd; in. the next, have
prepared 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 q
friend to whom 1t is directed, unless within
an hour reclaim it from the messenger,
who has been instructed to retsin it for
that length Of time"
His face grew livid. His frame quivcred
with mingled fear and rage. and his eye
cleaned like that of wild bcas, at bay.
''What Is your purpose7" said he, in a
voice hoarsc with suppressed passion.
''ro keep your secret while yon live, on
one condition"
+, "Name IT, p 81 = { IA
''That you write instantly to Julia Par
sons, rcnouncing all prctentions to her hand
and absolutely withdrawing your proposal
Of marriage.
After moments pause he penncd a
brief note, which ho submitted to my In
epection; 1T Was quite satisfactory. I" "a].E
"Bc 80 good as to seal and address it,"
I said.
Flo did 80.
II will SEQ that 1t is delivercd,"I 1 said,
taking It Up, and bowling myself ott. o .
When ! met George Diclsson that even.
ing his old college look had come back.
Ho had great news 'to tell me. The nex,
thing was to take me to sec Julia; and |,
10 needless to say what happy evening we
spent together, and that happy marriage
followed not long after.
p. Ethridge Parsons, ! Ihavo. Just 'leathed,
enigated jtoaAustralia OH board OF the
"London," and went down in that ill-fated
ship. ~ ,, :,
One triYmphs oyof ca1lamny =, Only u
| scorning tt.@ 9af %, %i.341 oars iltn
E' 'lfa'.#. zE ~ sE,ffy-J lyrFl T. ~ gArSlSgE