The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-04-14
THE FORGED WILL.

taken place in the appearance and man.
ner Of my friend.
Our first greeting and friendly inou,-
ries over, I longed, yet forbore, to ask the
cause of my friends melancholy. I felt
sure, in due time, of being made the con-
hdant 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 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 unsuccessfallv, wooed
his cousin, to whom his offers were as re-
pugnant as to her father they were accep-
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 proceeding 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
ne lett 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 specified period to enter into
the proposed union, the whole estate de-
Vlsed tor the daughter should be forfeit
ed to the nephew.
10 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 or personal advantage. But ner
1ather)s dying request, in Julia's ewes
was sacred. 1t had surprised and stunned.
1t is true, for IN their conferences on the
subject he had Fnever gone bevond the
most kindly remonstrances, and had new
er limited at anything like coercion.
Young Parsons the nephew. had not
the magnanilnity to forgo his ungener-
Gus advantage. He might have been
content with the cousins fortune alone.
but his right to that depended on his offer
and her rejection to an alliance which she
telt in conscience bound to accept. The
brief season of grace which she had been
compelled to beg even with tears, had
already almost passed, and few more
days would witness the condemnation of
TWO lives to hopeless misery.
At the conclusion of my friends nara
tive, in which, for reasons that NAV here
after be developed, felt peculiar inter
est, l prevailed upon him to accompany
me to place of amusement, to which I
mad previously procured tickets.
When we reached the theater the ner-
Torrance had already begun, but we sue
ceeded in procuring seats which com
manded a fine view both of stage and the
audience. 81 . 'T~S ~
In few minutes George touched nv
elbow. .0
"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 had seen before cause,l
ME to start with surprise.
"Who is it," I asked. @5O
"Etheridge Parson," was the renlv
EYES,"
"Does he resemble his uncle?" I was
on the point of inquiring, but then the |
stranger drew the glove from his right
hand, snd saw that the first lo,pt of The
middle finger was gone, circumstances
tor sufficient reasons, absorbed
my attention.
"Do you know the exact date Of Mr.
Parsons death7'' 7 asked, when we had
gained the street at the close OF the ner.
ormance. -
"Yes,' said George, cit was the eard
u December. His daughter received a
telegram from her cousin announcing the
act the same day. But why do Won
aska'' W. Nv Sou
~ have reason which NAV or NAV
lot prove good one," I returned: and
tating that had business engagements
or the whole Of the next day, | parted
With my friend, promising to meet HIM
N the following evening.
Next afternoon found me at the honse
It Mr.. Parsons, the nephew.
"Mr. Paraons, presumed" were the
words with which l accosted the gentle
nan had seen at the thea,er.
ayes, SIR" a /.
"You may not remember me, Mr.. Par
ons, but believe we have met before :, :
IL beg your pardon for not recollectino .
he OCCASION t, Nc as.....
"You were in Southampton last winter .
'ere you not2" . .
II was" he replied, with some embar :
II am the solicitor to whom you called =
make draft of will" :
he turned pale, but said nothiug. =
II saw record of that will at Doctors, q
ommons this morning." l resumed, r
M r.