St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-11-04


ADVERTISEMENTS lay in the remote con-
gngency of his succeeding to the family
,onors. No wonder, therefore, that he |
Isras filled with gloomy despair when he
ealized that his eager expectations had |
cen based upon a complete delusion.
/ Young Arthur Lancaster cyinced the |
.trongest desire to ingratiate himself |
With his uncle and his uncle's family. |
He was a lad of bright, happy DISPOSE
ion, and made friends wherever he
vent. He had probably been informed
hat his uncle cherished ill-teeling
against him, and seemed laudably
anxious to dissipate disagreeable i'm
5ressions. But all his efforts proved
.,navailing, for Medwyn Lancaster had
orooded so many years over his grey
ance that he could not be reconciled to
ahe innocent cause OF it. BY degrees
nhe intercourse between Arthur Lam
EASTER and his nearest relatives became
odd and constrained, for Medwyn Lam
easter did not attempt to disguise his
ceilings, and his wife and children were
naturally Influenced by his example:
The young man was the more surprised
and hurt at the treatment he received,
because his uncle's manner towards him
seemed to suggest that he was guilty OF
some grlevOus wrong.
X A few weeks before the coming OF
age of the young heir, Mr.. Medwyn Lam
easter was startled by receiving an
anonymous letter. in which the writer
said he had acquired important informa-
ton respecting the first wife of the late
Colonel Lancaster Though this mys-
FERROUS communication excited him
strangely, a moments reflection con-
WINGED him that it was unworthy or
serious attention. He had long ago
satisfied himself that his brothers first
wife was dead at the time of his second
marriage, so that whatever knowledge
this anonymous correspondent might
possess respecting the unhappy woman
'tcould not be of material importance.
His first impulse was to treat the letter
with silent contempt, but he kept 1t by
him for day or two. and the result
owas that he felt impelled by kind OF
h1nhallowed curiosity to inquire into the
lmatter.
Il He was considerably surprised to find
athat his correspondent was a little at
'Horney named Grips, whom he had en-
ployed years ago to ferret out his brotn
nter' first wife. In the interval which
hhad elapsed since their acquaintance
vNlr. Cripps had contrived to get struck
Wolf the rolls, and at the present time
ttiudgng from appearances, was at very
Glow water indeed. But the fact of tn
man having been instrumental IN prov
sfne the death of the first Mrs. Lancas
der seemed to invest his commun GATOR
hwith peculiar interest and Importance
e 1.-The truth is, Mr.. Lancaster sac
ntMr. Cripps, when he and Medwyn Ian
ncaster met by appointment, 81 have dis
recovered quite recently, by the meres
aIaccdent, that | was mistaken IN tn
tconclusion | arrived at concerning thu
Ideath of that lady,
II "What do you mean? Explain your
aself,'' said Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster
[esharply.
va "Ht,nanum est errare, Mr.. Lancas
inter, as we used to say at school, re
turned Mr.. Cripps, blinking his blood
thshot eyes, traced Mrs. Lancaster T.
ptvarious places, and at length obtained
Tacertiticate of her death and burial. Sh
leswas buried, if you recollect, under ne
lemaiden name of Ann Williams"
e1 "Yes-yes, Irecollect, - said MedWy
if Lancaster, impatiently.
ri "Well, sir, to be quite frank wlthyo
nhfter all these years, l rather jumped
continued Mr.. Crlpp:
anonymously. "Ann Williams is unfor
'isunately a common name.
er- "Do you mean to imply, then, thf
jhahe certificate you obtained tor me II
inferred to another person. exclalme
inSIr. Lancaster, in startled tones.
sht "That is so, sir" replied Mr.. Crlpp
his" What is more, have reason TO d
taaieve that the lady we were in search
7aSs still alive. l would undertake to pr
'siduce her if necessary"
id Medwyn Lancaster started to his fe'
lin great agitation. Ii his brother
terfirst wife was still living, it followed
hea matter of course that young Arth,
Lancaster was illegitimate, and cou
,unot therefore, legally inherit h
L sfather's property. He was SO startle
eltand overwhelmed by this extraordina
herevelation that for some moments
lotcould hardly control his emotion. al
he was quite incapable of sober reflectio
the ex-lawyer sat watchil
le4him with an expression of low cunnil
urand ill-concealed exultation, the sig
,leof which quickly recalled him to I
'y,EsenseS.
i'd ..Why did you first communities
to with me anonymously?' he inquire
nd abruptly, resuming his seat and lookil
he the lawyer straight in the face.
because I wished to make sure y
er- were disposed to move in the matter
d. replied Mr.. Grips, somewhat disco
d. Icerted. 'Besides, / did not expe
n you would remember my nane.'