The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1882-11-03


chance 81 eStricafing himself from his
endorsements lay III the remote con
tingcncy ~ his succeeding % the family
honofs. No wonder. therefore. that he
was filled with gloomy despair when ne
realized that hi eager expectations had
been based upon complete delusion.
Young arthur Lancaster csinccd the
strongest desire 10 inurafiate himself
with bis uncle and his uncle's family.
He was lad Of bright. happy DISPOSE
tinn. and made friends wherever he
went. He had probably been informed
that his uncle cherished ill-feeing
against him. and seemed laudably
anxious I'd dissipate diSagreeable i'm
pressions. But all bis efforts proved
inayailing. for Mcdwyn Lancaster had
broOded 50 many years over his gricv-
ancc that he could not be reconried to
the innocent cause Of il. BY degrees
the intercourse between Arthur Lam
caster and his nearest relatives became
cold and constrained. for Meiwyn Lam
caster did not attempt TO disguise his
feelings. and his wife and children were
naturally influenced By his example.
The young man was the more surprised
and hurt IL the treatment he received.
because his uncle's manner towards him
seemed % suggest that he was guilty Of
some grieyous wrong.
A few weeks before the coming Of
age 81 the Young heir. Mr.. Mcdwyn Ian
caster was startled By receiving an
ANONYMOUS letter. in which the writer
said he had acquired important informal
ton respecting the first wife Of the late
1 Colonel Lancaster. Though this mys-
tcrious communication excited him
strangely. a moments reflection con-
WINGED him that il was unworthy OF
serious attention He had long ago
satisfied himself that his brothers. first
wife wa dead AZ the time If his second
marriage. so that whatever knowledge
this anony nous correspondent might
possess respecting The unhappy woman
could not lie u material Importance
Ills first impulse was TO treat The letter
with silent contempt. but he kept il BIZ
him for 4 day Or two. and the result
was that he felt impcled by a kind OF
unhalloved curiosity 10 inquire into the
matter.
lie was considerably surprised 10 find
that his correspondent was little at
torncv named Grips. whom he had en-
ployed years ago 10 ferret out his broth
er's first wife. In the interval which
had elapsed since their acquaintan o
Mr.. Grips had consriycd 10 ret struck
or the rolls. and at the present time.
Judging from appearances. was ut very
low water indeed But the fact of iii ;
man having been instrumental in PROV
ing the death Of the first Mrs. Lancas-
\ ter seemed 10 invest his commun cation
with peculiar interest and Importance
4 The truth is. Mr.. Lancaster" said
Mr.. Cripps. when he and Medwyn Ian
caster met by appointment ~ have dis
covered quite recently. by the mcreSt
accident. tina, was mistaken IN the
conclusion arrived al concerning the
death 81 that lady"
What DO you mcan2 Explain your
self. !" said Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster.
sharply
y Hanan,m ev crrare. Mr.. Lancas-
ter. n we used 70 say at school" re-
turned Mr.. Cripps, blinking his blood
shot eyes. Traced Mrs. Lancaster 20
various places. and At length obtained q
certificate Of her death and burial She
was buried. II yoa recoIlect. under her
maiden name OF Ann Williams"
X. Yes ives. lrecollect,- said Medwyn
Lancaster. imratiently.
well. sir. 70 be quite frank with You
afr All these years, rather jumped az
conclusions" continued Mr.. Grips.
ENORMOUSLY. "Ann Williams is unfort-
unately q common name
do You mean 70 imply. then. that
\ the certificate you obtained for me re-
ferrcd 10 another person." exclaimed
| ifr. Lancaster, in startled tones.
THAT is 50, sir" replied Mr.. Grips.
..What il more. I have reason TO be-
lievc that the lady we were in search Of
j. still alive. ] would undertake to pro
ducc her II necessary
Medwyn Lancaster started TO his feet
in great agitation. II his brothers
first wife was still living. il followed as
: matter Of course that young Arthur
Lancaster was illegitimaie, and could
not. therefore, legally inherit his
fathers property. He was 80 startled
and overwhelmed By this extraordinary
revelation that for some moments he
could hardly control his emotion. and
| wos quite incapable Of sober reflection.
Meanwhile the cx-lawyer sat watching
him with an expression of low cunning
and ill-conccaled cxultation. the sight
Of which quickly recalled him 10 his
senses.
why did you frst communicate
with me anonymously he inquired.
abruptly, resuming his seat and looking
the lawyer straight in the face.
:. Because wished To make sure You
were disposed to move in the matter. N
replied Mr.. Grips. somewhat dscon-
ccrtcd " Besides, | did not. expect
you would remember my name"
Mr.. Mcdwyn Lancaster was shrewd
man Of the world. and this answer con
E.~-~. ...Ls..I. ~.