The Benton weekly record., 1882-11-30

from appearances, was atVery low water
indeed. But the fact Of this man having
been instrumental in proving the death Of
the first Mrs. Lancaster seemed to invest
his communication with peculiar interest
and Importance.
'FThe truth is, Mr.. Lancaster" said
Mr.. Cripps, when he and MedWyn Ian
easter met by appointment. II have. dis
covered quite.recently, By the merest ac-
cident, that was mistaken in the conclu-.
sion arrived at concerning the death Of
that lady,
"What do you mean? Explain youl
self,,' said Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster sharp
| ly. $685.
Hymanum est errare, Mr.. Lancaster, as
we used to say at school," returned M.
Cripps, blinking his bloodshot eyes,. II
traced Mrs. Lancaster to various PLACES
and 1T length obtained certificate OF her
death and burial. She was buried, if you
recollect, under her maiden name OF Ann
Williams ..
5'sYes-yes, Irecollect,'' said Mr.. Med
wyn Lancaster impatiently.
'sWell, sir, to be frank with you, after
all these years, rather jumped at con-
clusions,'' continued Mr.. Cripps, ingeni-
ously. s.Ann Williams is unfortunately a
common name"
''Do YOU mean to imply, then, that the
| certificate you obtained for me referred to
another person?'' exclaimed Mr.. Lancas-
ter in startled tones.
E"That is so, sir" replied Mr.. Cripps.
"What is more, have reason to belcVe
that the lady we were in search Of Is SUI
Ialiye. Iwould undertake to produce her
if necessary"
Medwyn Lancaster starts to MS feet Iii
great agitation. IF his brothers first Wlfe
was still living, it followed as a.matter o1
course that young Arthur Lancaster was
illeesitimate, and could not therefore legal
" inherit his fathers property. lie was
also startled and overwhelmed by the ex-
traordinary revelation that for some mo-
ments he could hardly cosArol his emotion,
and was quite incapable Of sober renee
ton. Meanwhile, the ex-laNyfr SAT
watching him with an expression OF ~"
cunning and ilI-concealed exultatlon, thc
sight Of which quickly recalled him to his
: senses. @~m@-. "..@..
ssWhy did you first communicate with
me ANONYMOUSLY 20 he inquired abruptly
y resuming his seat and looking the lawyer
y straight in his face
ssRecause i wished to make sure yot
! were disposed to move in the matter
replied Mr. Cripps somewhat dlscontent
4 ed. fsBesides, did not expect you Woul'
O remember my name.o
It Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster was shreWe
q man of the world, and this answer con
f frn1ed a suspicion which had suddenly
crossed his mind. He now felt convinced
that the mans story was lie, conceived
. with the otiect5of Turing him into plo
q against his brothers. son. The~anonymou
. letter had no doubt been written in orde
. Ito test his nephew's Inheritance. MI
u Chipp's manner and appearances were n
~ doubt CalcuEtcu W @1ouoo e'17eA o' -
j MedWvn Lancaster had an additional rea
son for disbelieving him. The fact wa
IS that though he had employed the man
~ 81 obtain evidence of Zthesdeath Of his broth
;s Eerss first wife, he had not been content
relv on the result of his Investigation
E without corroboration. In the excess
., his zeal and disappointment, he had5suf ttf
: seauently taken infinite pains to verify th
II inforraation.Mr. Cripps had obtained, an
= had convinced himself beyond doubt
it's correctness.
y It was d symptom of an unhealthy franz
r Of mind that he neither expressed &c
- felt indignation at the mans infamous dt
SIGN. Tie only sentiment shesWTas cor
sc;ous Of was keen disappointment =
20 1t the bottom Of his heart there lurked
- ,sark aud dangerous scheme for turnln NJ
= - the lawyers baseness t9 account
:. y suddenly occurred to him bin that Arthur W
=, :. inst the sort Of lad to be easily impose
:, :. mon tv an INSCRIPTIONS scounqfr'el ~
- agi,,,,s 1fha could be induced to e, belle'
= thaf ha was not legally entitled to ms J. !
i heritance. there was no knowing VT ",
- might happen. Tha gotng man haa u
l., rrenutation r Of being ohiyatFons and hone
:. :, ahlo almost to the point Of abslllrqlFy' y
- f was quite possible he might Eolanatar'
- a. ,anounce lis birthrigIt to avoid unpleS
- ~ disclosures. The bare idea Of sueh
=, - contingency cor set MedWyn LaneasteF's ofa
y. - a. fire and deprived. him OF all mofal -
- :: e;a,,sness. He could not resist the len
:. .ts tattoa Of suggesting to the lawyer 20 :. =
= ,aon Arthur and with something Il
- - honefn1nags. and it never occurred to y
= - TO nut the Voung mans mind at rest.
- - He was ru@lely awakened from his So
"a = Of mental apathy by 2 shocking ano sta
- -. limo occurrence. Poor young Art1ur -
~ 80 aaafa,. .s,as found dead in his bed
49, 49, n,ornino with a bottle, which aad 9
=, - de,,tgr contained g laudanum, graspeo
- - HI hand. Mr.. Lancaster was summon
= ~ - Cambridge as the nearest relative g.
'a,s lls deceased, to attend the inquest. ne y
.est :. n fear and trembling to tell hlnl ms =, =
'sss M n,,ieh - MIR. Crpps consented 20 60 3
0s's receiving 92o for his expenses. hr, =
aga easfgr fia.tered hmselt tnat nls eoa.' -