The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-03-29

my; atsentlons S!sa ~ iSis3 rs sp;s
'Do you know the-exact date of Mr.
Parsons 3 death ?" asked, when We had
gained the street at the close og the per-
[formance esSQ { {Yasi ~ d. tsg
eyes," said George, ,a'n was the 23d
of December9 His daughter received a
Telegram from her cousin announcing
the fact the same day. But why do you
ask2' Sc. g t7ai sss 80 GaGt Gis +
81 have reason which may or may
not prove a good one" returned; and
stating that had business engagements
for the next day, I parted with my
friend, promising to meet him on the
following evening. allf@ 4 ~
Next afternoon found me at the house
iof Mr. Parsons 40 gsss f8@4
"Mr Parsons, I presume ?" were the
wordswith which accosted the gentle.
man fehad seen at the .theater. ~ ~
"Yes, sir." a'ni A9
"You may not remember me, bat VIC
lhave met before" s; cA} IS
Il beg your pardon for not recollect'
ling the occasion" sls7i sN J.,'9
"You were in Southampton last via.
tier, we're you not2"
81 was" be replied with some embsr
rassment. s1aa 90 . lc 4o Selt
7"I ain the solicitor on whom you call
led to make draft OF will" t0fii9
| He turned pale but made no reply.
II saw record Of that will at doc
ttors' commons this morning." / resum
led, sand" e. 3 f','sgs
"You speak of my uncle's will,' ht
hastily interrupted. ak te
"And vet You said it was yours wher
tYou applied to have it written. Yo,
represented yourself desirous of execu
ting such a document, preparatory to
embArking on voyage The paper va.
drawn ID accordance with your instrnc,
tons, leaving the date to be filled in q,
the date o; signing Your locks were
gray then, and you certainly looked ole
enough to have q marriageable daugh.
ter; but your disguise was not perfect
and | pointed to the mutilated finger.
"What do you mean 2"she shouted.
"Simply that your uncle's signature
to that will is a iorgeryr. I answered
rising. "He died on the 23d Of Deeem.
ber. Your own telegram to that effec
issin existence. tswas the day before
Christmas that you called on me to pre-.
pare the document now on record as his
will. The inference is plain: you un-
dertook to manufacture this docunen,
after your uncle's death, and wishing to
clothe your villainy in legal form, you
procured from me the required draft =
You, or.some one at your instigation,
simulated the signature of the deceased
The witnesses, who have perjured Them
selves in their depositions, we're procure
ed in some manner best known to your
self"
| Enough, sir" he calculated, placing
his back against the door; syou have
shown yourself to be 10 possession. OF
secrets the custody Of which prove dan-
gerous." 80. y ,rs l'edsisas, :
II am not dnprepared for your
threats / replied. sIn the first place,
u did not come here unarmed,; =. in the
next, / have prepared full written state
ment OF the facts to which / have. allu-
1ed, with information. besides, OF my
present visit to yourself 5 This paper
viii be delivered 70 the friend to whom
| it is directed, unless, within an hour,
reclaim it from the messenger
His face grew livid, His frame quiv-
cred with mingled fear and rage. and his
eye. cleaned like that OF wild beast at
bay. :Siss5,ss 81 u.
/ "What is your purpose ?, he said, in
a voice hoarse with suppressed passion
$40 keep your secret while you live y
/ answered.; ton one condition"
shame it" ss13
"That you write instantly to Julia
Parsons, renouncing all pre,ensions to
her hand, and absolutely Withdrawing
your proposal OF marriage" gs
| After moment'e pause he penned o
brief note, which be submitted to my
1inspections Sss
BE so good as to seal and address
lit,'' said. ss Sia
He did so. faes
81 will see that it is delivered" l said
bowing myself out
When met George 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 il
needless to say what q happy marriage
followed not long after. fgs aael
Etheridge Parsons emigrated to Aus.
tralia on board of the London, and wen
down in the ill-fated ship.