Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-04-15
THE FORGED WILL.

THE FORGED WILL.
1t was my first visit to London since l
had taken up my abode and entered ON
the practice of my profession as solicitor
of Southampton.
In London l had very dear friend,
my college chum, George Dickson, and
as he was the only person l knew in the
great metropolis, of course lost no time
IN looking him up.
Three years had passed since our last
meeting, but ten could have scarcely pro-
duced change more marked than had
taken place in the appearance and man
ner of nv friend.
Our first greeting and friendly inqul-
ries over, longed, yet forbore, to ask the
cause of my friends melancholy. 1 felt
sure, in due time, of being made the con-
fdant of the secret, provided NO motive
OF delicacy prompted its concealment.
That evening, in my room at the hotel,
George told me his story. He had formed
an attachment for young lady, whose
graces of mind and person he portrayed
with all the tervor of lovers eloquence.
She had returned his affection, but her
father had opposed his suit, having set
his heart On the marriage of his daughter
to a nephew of his.
This nephew was young surgeon, OF
profigate character, my friend assured
me-but that may have been prejudice
who had long, but unsuccessfully, wooed
his cousin, to whom his offers were as re-
pugnant as to her father they were accep-
table.
Some months since, Mr.. Parsons, the
young lady's father, had gone into Hamp-
shire on business, accompanied by his
nephew. At Southampton, he had been
seized by sudden illness, which termi-
mated 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 attestlng witness) containing a SOL
emn request that his daughter, to whom
he left the whole OF his estate, should
accept the hand of his nephew in mar.
riage, coupled with the provision that
in case the latter offered, and she refused
within a specif, d period to enter into
the proposed union, the whole estate de.
vised for the daughter should be forfeit,
ed to the nephew.
To sacrifice her fortune to her hearts
choice would not have cost Julia Par.
sons moments hesitation; and nothing
could have delighted George Dickson
than so fair an opportunity of showing
how superior his devotion was to al
thought OF personal Advantage. But mel
tather's dying request, III Julia's eyes
was sacred. 1t had surprised and stunned
it is true, for In their conferences on the
subject he had never gone beyond the
most kindly remonstrances. and bad new
er limited at anything like coercion.
Young Parsons the nephew, had no
the magnani1nity to forgo his ungener
Gus advantage. He might have beer
content with the cousins fortune alone
but his right to that depended on his offe
and her rejection to an alliance which sh,
felt in conscience bound to accept. TIL,
brief season of grace which she had beer
compelled to beg even with tears, hae
already almost passed, and few NOR
days would witness the condemnation o
TWO lives to hopeless misery.
At the conclusion of my friends nara
tive, in which, for reasons that may here
after be developed, I felt peculiar inter
est, prevailed upon him to accompan,
me to place Of amusement, to which
had previously procured tickets.
When we reached the theater the per
Torrance had already begun, but we sue
ceeded in procuring seats which com
handed fine view both Of stage and tn
audience.
In a few minutes George touched m,
elbow.
"Observe the gentleman nearly oppo
site, in the front row, seated next to tn
column, leaning his arm on his cane," b
whispered.
I looked in the direction indicated
and saw a face whose striking resem
blance to one I had seen before cause,
me to start with surprise.
'sWho is it9" asked.
"Etheridge Parson,'' was the reply.
1.-THE nephew of whom you spoke9"
eyes,"
"Does he resemble his uncle9" I wa
on the point OF inquiring, but then tn
stranger drew the glove from his RICH
hand, snd I saw that the first Joint of tn
middle finger was gone, circumstanc
which, for sufficient reasons, absorbe
my attention.
"Do yeu know the exact date of MI
Parsons death2" / asked, when we hat
gained the street at the close Of the pei
Torrance.
eyes, said George, SIT was the 23r
of December. His daughter received
telegram from her cousin announcing tn
fact the same day. But why do 20
ask2''
81 have reason which may or ma
not prove good one," I returned: an
stating that had business engagement
for the whole of the next day, l parte,
with my friend, promising to meet hlr
on the following evening.
Next afternoon found me at the hous
OF Mr.. Parsons, the nephew.
/ "Mr. Parsons, presumed" were tn
words with which l accosted the gentle
man I had seen at the theater.
eyes, SIR"
"You may not remember me, Mr.. Pal
sons, but believe we have met before.
II beg your pardon for not recollectin
the occasion"
"You were in Southampton last winter
were you not9"
Il was" he replied, with some embal
rassment.
81 am the solicitor to whom you Gale
to make draft of will"
! He turned pale, but said nothing.
II saw record of that will at Doctor
Commons this morning." resumed
"and"
| "You speak of my uncle's will" b
hastily interrupted.