Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-09-08


not the least likely to have consulted
him. about the disposition of his prop
erty. He expressed his conviction that
Husketh was a highly respectable par
son. and frankly admitted that his long
and faithful service entitled him TO SUBJ
stantial benefits from his late master.
When the young man proceeded to say
that he must now resign his commission,
and emigrate TO the Colonies to begin
life afresh. Mr.. Parchment felt that he
would gladly forfeit his legacy if he
could find flaw in old Mr. Downing's
unjust will. However, he knew very
well that the document was perfectly
valid on the face of it, and he therefore
had to content himself with wringing
Arthur Downing's hand sympathet
ically as they parted with mutual ex.
pressions of good will.
This interview, though it tended to
increase the lawyers antipathy to Mr..
Eusketh, served to satisfy him of the
mans integrity, and he therefore took
the necessary steps for proving the will
without delay, leaving his co-executoI
to dispose of the testator's furniture and
household effects. AS old Mr.. Downing,
though rich man. only occupied the
upper part of a house in Hardwood
square, his domestic affairs were easily
arranged, and the lawyer was much
impressed by the cool. business-like
manner in which the late valet set tc
work.
One evening, about a week after the
funeral, Mr.. Parchment was preparing
to leave the Office at an unusually early
hour for him. when Mr.. Husketh was an.
nounced. The ex-valet appeared less
placid and self-possessed than usual.
and asked the lawyer to let him have q
loan of f200 for few DAYS until the pro-
bate of the will could be obtained.
Though surprised at the request, Mr..
Parchment asked no questions, but al
once wrote a check for the amount.
Husketh was anxious to receive the
money in cash, but as the lawyer could
not accommodate him, and the banks
were closed, he had to be content with
an open check. Having handed over
the draft. Mr.. Parchment directed his
confidential clerk to prepare a formal
receipt for Mr.. Husketh' signature, and
hurried off to keep an appointment.
Next morning, when he reached the
Office his clerk, an intelligent young
fellow. who had desk in the corner OF
Mr.. Parchment's room, closed the door
behind him with an air of mystery, and
said:
IF you please. sir, 1 ventured to stop
that check you gave MIR. Husketh last
night"
"Whatr' exclaimed Mr.. Parchment,
quite aghast. "How dare you do such
a thing without asking me?"
when old Mr.. Downing signed his
will, SIR" said the clerk. hurriedly, -
was one of the attesting witnesses, and
noticed that he had singular scar on
the back of his hand"
"Well, and what if he had?" ex-
claimed the lawyer. irritably.
cit is a singular coincidence that
Mr.. Husketh has a precisely similar
mark on the back of his hand--a scar
like burn just below the wrist. no.
ticed it when he signed the receipt yes
terday," said the clerk, impressively.
Before Mr.. Parchment had time to
comment on this communication. an
other clerk entered the room, followed
by young woman, who did not wait
to be announced, but pushed herself in
front of him, and confronted the aston
ished lawyer with flaming eyes. In her
hand she held a slip OF paper, which
he recognized as one of his own checks,
and this circumstance helped him to
identify the young woman as the serv-
ant maid who had opened the door to
him when he called at Hardwood square
to announce to Husketh his good fort
une.
"What is the meaning of this?" she
cried, holding out the slip of paper,
with trembling fingers.
q am sorry" said Mr.. Parchment.
perceiving that it was the check he had
given to Husketh. .'There has been a
misunderstanding, I'm afraid. Pray be
seated"
misunderstanding! Yes, / should
think sou exclaimed the young wom-
an, speaking in shrill and excited voice.
He told me l had only to go to the
bank and l should get two hundred SOW
ereigns for that, instead of which am
treated Like pickpocket, and sent over
here. knew it was only a trick of his.
He wanted me to 90 without money; but
/ knew him too well; so then he gives
me this to quiet me-"
Where did he want you to go TOP" in
CURED Mr.. Parchment, pricking up his
ears.
ITO Holland first, and then to join
me in week or two, as soon as he'd
got the money replied the young
woman, who seemed carried away by
furious indignation; but after being
treated like this, he won't get me out
of the country-not he! / can see his
game; he wants to get me out of the
way because 1 know too much-the
mean-spirited, sly-faced scoundrelr'
IF you will tell me what You know it
will be to your advantage" said Mr..
Parchment, with sudden interest.
''I don't know what he has been up
to, if you mean that replied the wom-
an, viciously; 90 only wish did. But
you ask him why he came creepin' in
one evening dressed in master clothes,
and so disguised that thought it was
the master himself for the minute,
though knew poor Mr.. Downing was
lying up stairs too i'll to move hand or
FOOT
BLESS my soulr' exclaimed Mr..
Parchment, nearly jumping out of his