Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-07-01

hight hand and taw the first joint of
the middle finger was gone, circum-
stance whlcu for u sufficient reason,
absorbed ny attention.
u you know the exact date Of Mr.
PaIson'- death +? " 1 asked, when we had
gained tie street ~ the close Of the
performance.
res, said George, lit was - 22i
Of December. His daughter received
"a tejegrem from her couin anuounciug
the fact the same day. Bat Why do you
ask 2"
have reason which may or may
not prove good one, returned; ana
stating that had business engagements
fer the next day, I parted with my
friend, promising to meet him on the
following evening.
Next afternoon found Eo at the house
of Mr. Parsons.
"Mr. Parsons, presume ?"w we're the
words with which I accos,ed the gen.
tiemsn / had seen at the theater.
"Ycs, SIR"
"You may not remember me. but We
have met before"
, 81 beg your pardon for no! recol:
lecting the occasion"
You were in Southampton last win
ter, we're you nOt?"
Il was,' he replied, with some en-
barrassment.
/ % am the solicitor on whom you
called to make draft of the will"
He turred pale, but made no reply.
:" saw a record of that will at DR..
Cammons this morning." resumed,
"and-"
You speak OF my uncle's will" he
hastily interrupted.
"And yet you said it was yours when
you applied to have it written. You
represented yourself desirous of exc
cutting such q document, preparatory to
embarking on voyage. The paper
was drawn in accordance with your in
structions, leaving the date to be filled
in at the date of signing. Your looks
were gray then, and you certainly
looked old enough to have q marriage
able daughter; but your disguise was
not perfect" and pointed to the mutt
lated finger.
"What do you mean?" he shouted.
"Simply that your uncle's signature
to that will is forgery!" l answered,
rising. "He died on the Esd of De-
cember. Your own telegram TO that
effect is in existence. 1t was on the
day before Christmas that you called
on me to prepare the document now
on record as his will. The inference is
plain; you undertook to manufacture
this document after your uncie's death,
and wishing to clothe your villainy in
legal form, you procured from me the
draft. You, or some one et your insti-
cation, simulated the signature of the
deceased. The witnesses, who have
perjured themselves in their deposi
tioDs. were procured in some manner
best known to yOurself-'
" Enough, sir, ;" he calculated. placing
his back against the door; lyon have
shown yourself to be in possession of
secrets, the custody OF which proves
dangerous"
~ am not unprepared for your
threats" replied. - In the first place,
I did not come here unsrmed; in the
next, have prepared full written
statement Of the facts to which have
alluded, with information. besides. of
my present visit to yourself. This
paper will he delivered to the friends
to whom it is directed, unless, within
an hour. I reclaim it from tho rnessen-
GER"
His face grew livid. His frame quiv-
cred with mingled fear and rage, and
his eye cleaned like that Of wild
beast at bay.
"What is your purpose ?" he said,
in voice hoarse with suppressed pns-
sion.
Tokeep your secret while you live!'
l answered, ION one condition"
Name it,
THAT you write instantly to Julia
Parsons, renouncins all pretentions to
her hand, and absolutely withdrawing
your proposal of marriage.
After moments pause he penned a
brief note which he submitted to my
inspection.
"Be go good as to seal ard address
it," said.
He did so.'
81 will sec that it is delivered" !
said, bowling myself out.
When met George the next evening
his old college look had come back.
He had great news to tell me. The
next thing was to take me to see Julia;
and it is needless to say that happy
marriage followed not long after.
Etheridge Parsons emigrated to Aus
kralia