The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-01-09

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kindly remonstrances, and had never
limited at anything like coercion.
NOuug Parsons. the nephew. had not
the magnanimity to foregO his ungen-
eTous advantage. He might have been
content with his Cousins fortune alone
but his right to that depended on his
offer and her rejection of an alliance
which she felt in conscience bound to
accept. This brief season of grsce
which she had been compelled to beg
even with tears had already nearly
passed, and 2 few more days would wit
ness the condemnation of two lives TO
hopeless misery.
At the conclusion of my friends mar
Tatiye, in which, for reasons that NAV
hereafter be developed. [ felt peculiar
interest, I prevailed upon him 10 accom-
pany me 10 a place of amusement to
which l had previously procured tickets
When we reached the theatre the per
formance had already begun, but we
succeeded in finding seats which com
manded a iine view both of the stage
and the audience.
III a few moments George touched me
on the elbow.
Observe the gentleman nearly oppo-
site, in the front row, seated next to the
column, leaning his arm on his cane. =
he whispered.
l looked in the direction indicated,
and saw a face whose striking resem-
blance to one 1 had seen before caused
me to start with surprise.
'-Who is ii ?''
''EthTidge Parsons, . was the reply
The nephew OF whom you spoke -
''Does he resemble his uncle - I was
OH the point of inquiring, but just then
the stranger drew the glove from his
right hand and l saw that the first
joint Of the middle finger was missing,
2 circumstance which, for sufficient
reasons, absorbed my attention.
DO YOU know the exact date Of M.
Parsons death - / asked, when We
had gained the street at the close Of the
performance.
Yes" said George. 1T was the
twenty-third Of December. His daugh-
ter received telegram from her cousin
announcing the fact the same day
but why do yoH ask p
u have reasons which may or may
not prove good ones, - I returned, and
stating that had business engagements
( for the whole next day, l parted with
my friend, promising to meet nm on
the following evening.
Next afternoon found me at the
house OF Mr.. Parsons, the nephew.
words with which acc0sted the gentle
man I had seen at the the theatre.
Y cs, sir"
"Iou may not remember me. Nr.
Parsons, but / believe that we have met
before.
- beg your pardon. sir, Tor not recol-
lecting the occasion. -
You were IN Southampton last year.
: were YOU not -
/ I was, = he replied, with some en-
baTTassment.
81 am the solicitor on whom you call
ed to make q draft of q viii. -
He turned pale, but made no reply.
i saw a record OF that viii a. the
Doctors Commons, this morning - I re-
. SUmed, and
"You speak of my uncle's viii, he
/ hastily interrupted
And vet 7 continued. ''vou said IL
was yours when You applied 10 have it
written. You Represented yourself de
sirOus Of executing such a document,
preparatory 20 embarkiHg on a periious
voyage. The paper was drawn in ac-
cOrdance with your Instructions leav-
ing the date to be filled in at the date of
signing. Your locks were gray then.
and you certainly looked old enough to
have q maTTiaEeable daughter; bat
your disguise was not perfect" " And
pointed to the mu.iIated finger.
''N hat do you mean p he shouted il
4 defiant tone.
Simply that your uncle-s signature
to thai viii is q forCeryl' ] answered,
rising aud confronting him. He died
on the tWenty-third of December
Y our own telegram 10 that effee. is ign
existence It was the day before
Christmas that You called Oh me 10
prepare the document now on record a.
his viii. The inference is plain YOU
undertook TO manufacture this spurious
testament after your uncle's death. and
wishing to clOthe your yillianv in leCa
form. you procured from ne the reQuir
ed draft. You, or some one at your in
stigation, simulated the signature OF
the deceased. The witnesses. who have
since perjured themselves in their de
positions, were procured in some man
ner best known to yourself
Enough, sir" he calculated. placing
his back against the door '-yOu hav,
; shown Yourself to be in the possession
Of secrets the custody Of which prove
i dangerous. -
''Iamnot unprepaTed for your threats.
I replied. In the first place, / did no
. come here unarmed in the next,
have prepared a full written statemen
, of the facts to which l have alluded
, / with information, besides, OF my presen
visit to yourself. This paper viii be de-
Iivered TO the friend to whom 1t is al
rccted. unless within an hour I reclaim
! ! it from the messenger. who has bee
: instructed to retain il for that length Q
. time. "
: His face grew liyid His fran
:. I quiYered with mingled fear and rage
: and his eve CLEANED like that OF vii
: beast at bay.
"What IS your purpose I: said he, !
+ d voice hoarse with suppressed passion
I ITO keep your secret while you liv,
= on one condition"
Name il.
+, That You write instantly to Juli
:. Parsons, reRornciug ali preJentions {
her hand and absolutely withdrawn
n your proposal Of marriage. -
- After a moments pause he penued
Y brief note which he submitted 20 my ID
: spection it was quite satisfactory.
> BE 50 good as 10 sign and address it,
I said.
- lie did SO.
y L viii see that it is delivered, =
IS said, taking it up, and bnwing myse
n out.
q When I met George Dickson tn
4 evening. his old college look had con
= back. He had great news TO tell me-
II The next thing was to take me to s.
, Julia; and II is needful to- say what
- happy evening we spent together. al
; that happy marriage followed no. l0i
- after.
Ethridge Parsons. [ have lust learne