The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-02-09
as if incidentally, and not by de-

Mary Mosher offered to effect this
meeting. Mrs. Kimball sat in the
ladies sitting room, and the young
girl requested "Mr. Kimball" to get
her a certain book from that room
He eagerly obeyed, and entered
the apartment hastily, probably not
thinking it had an occupant. He
halted when his eyes fell upon the
lady, who started perceptibly when
she saw the strong resemblance to
her son; yet the mothers heart was
true to its instincts. After the first
glance it whispered, "This is not
your son."
Excuse me, madam" said he, ad-
dressing her as he would any strange
lady, II was requested to get a book
for young lady, and was not aware
of any one being here"
you are excusable, sir," returned
the lady, bestowing upon him a
glance of contempt for the part he
was playing, compelling her also to
play part for the time, and keep
ing her away from her dead son.
Varnoe was concealed in a posi-
ton where he could watch the fea-
lures of the young man, and MOTTO
ed that not the slightest sign of rec
ognition was visible in his face
when he beheld Mrs. Kimball.
After the young man had left the
room, Varnoe entered and approach
ed the lady. Before he could say a
word she rose, and appealingly
holding out her hands cried:
20, sir! now that l have seen the
living impostor, take me where !
may behold my dead son p
The detective tenderly placed her
hand in his arm, and with barred
head led her into the presence of
the dead. Some half dozen persons
were seated in the darkened room.
Miss Mosher and the impostor Gas
we shall henceforth call HIM were
seated near a window.
When Mrs. Kimball and her es-
cort entered, Miss Mosher reached
out her arm and opened the shut
ters, admitting sufficient light to en-
able the bereft mother to see her
dead sons features.
The moment she beheld the be-
loved face she fell upon her knees
beside the coffin, and pressing her
lips to those of the dead, she cried
in anguished tones:
'Oh, Jocelyn, my son, my son, IS
it thus we meet again?"
Further utterance was choked by
her vehement weeping, and for
period naught was heard save the
wailing of the widow, bereft of her
only son.
At her anguished words, and at
the sight of the face in the coffin,
the impostor started to his feet, white
as the face of the dead man whose
name he had assumed, and tremb-
ling with a vague alarm. Then bend
ing his head he whispered to the
girl at his side: miss Mosher, who
is this lady who calls him in the
coffin her son 2"
at is Mrs. Kimall," replied ..she,
looking up.
Domination / was not prepared
for this !" muttered,he in allow tone
but it reached the attentive ear OF
the detective, nevertheless, who plac-
od his mouth to the impostor's ear
and whispered:
"No, George Hanold, ] suppose
not; nor for what will followW
"Sir, what do you mean?" de-
manded the young man, IN a fierce
whisper. i
"Step outside this sacred room and
I'll inform you," quietly replied the
opening the door and leav-
ng the room
After moments hesitation, Han
old followed, and the detective and
ne met in the yard of the hotel,
when the impostor demanded an
This was given in the
words:
George Hanold, the wisest course
or Aou to follow is to confess your
attempted imposition. The mother
If the dead son has pronounced
lgainst your claims by not recog-
lizing you as herso when you and
he met in the sitting room, few
minutes since; neither did you rec
,gnize the lady, whom you probably |
lever saw before in all your life.
,ome, what say you ?" and the cool
leaded detective looked him square
n the face.
"See here, my fine fellow" ex-
laimed Hanold, dropping all his
refinement, you had bet
er be little carefdl how you chin
o one, or You'll get your mas
monkey into a condemned hobble.
20 you know that, you scarecrow?" t
his was accompanied by the ext
ition OF clenched fist in close prox-
nifty to yarnoe's olfactory organ.
A smile of mingled scorn and
'ity rested for moment on the lips
f the detective. which gave place
0 frown when the man made
as if to strike.
"Look you, George Hanold," OBJ
erved Varnoe, in cold tones. keep
ng wary eye on the fellow, s'if you
re wise you will drop this thing at
nee"
"Curse YOU for 20 meddling foolw
ried the other, furiously. "I'll
rop you first" and he lunged out
avagely.
The detective warded off the in
ended blow, then seized Hanold's
wo wrists, pin,oned him against
he wall, and thus addressed him:
'See here, my pugnacious bantam,
Mess you abandon all pretensions
D the dead mans name, you are
~ prisoner. Do you understand
am Varnoe, the detective, sent here
, look into this matter. / havesuf-
cient proof to condemn you, and
end you to the penitentiary for att
,mpted fraud; but Mrs. Kimbal-
esires me to persuade you to let the {
natter drop and 60 your way.
hould you refuse this l am to take
-. 80 -,.xxzl.~ - n-oo nnosIa l..