Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-10-27


He was considerably surprised to find
that his correspondent was little at
torncy named Cripps, whom he had en-
ployed years ago to ferret out his broth
er's first wife. In the interval which
had elapsed since their acquaintance
Mr. Cripps had contrived to get struck
off the rolls, and at the present time.
judging from appearances, was at very
low water indeed. But the fact of TIL s
man having been instrumental in prov
ing the death OF the first Mrs. Lancas-
ter seemed to invest his commun cation
with peculiar interest and Importance.
"The truth is, Mr.. Lancaster" said
Mr.. Cripps, when he and Medwyn Lam
caster met by appointment, al have dis
covered quite recently, by the merest
accident, that was mistaken in the
conclusion arrived at concerning the
death of that lady"
"What do you meanp Explain your
SELF" said Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster,
sharply.
Humanum est errare, Mr.. Lancas-
ter, as we used to say at school," re-
turned Mr.. Cripps, blinking his blood
shot eyes. / traced Mrs. Lancaster to
various places, and at length obtained .
certificate of her death and burial. She
was buried, II you recollect, under her
maiden name of Ann Williams"
"Yes-yes, 1recolect," said Medwyn
Ian 'aster, impatiently.
"Well, sir, to be quite frank with you
after all these years, rather jumped at
conclusions" continued Mr.. Cripps,
ingenuously. "Ann Williams is unfort-
| ,,,,otol,, 4, oo,,,,eu ,o,,,o
"Do you mean to imply, then, that
the certificate you obtained for me re-
ferred to another personp" exclaimed
MIR. Lancaster, in startled tones.
THAT is so, sir" replied Mr. Cripps.
"What is more, l have reason to be-
lieve that the lady we were in search OF
is still alive. l would undertake to pro-
duce her if necessary"
Medwyn Lancaster started to his feet
in great agitation. If his brother s
first wife was still living, it followed as
matt r of course that young Arthur
Lancaster was illegitimaie, and could
not, therefore, legally inherit his
fathers property. He was so startled
and overwhelmed by this extraordinary
revelation that for some moments he
could hardly control his emotion, and
was quite incapable of sober reflection.
Meanwhile the ex-lawyer sat watching
him with an expression of low cunning
and ill.concealed exultation, the sight
of which quickly recalled him to hi:
senses.
why did you first communicate
with me anonymously" he inquired
abruptly, resum ng his seat and looking
| ha In, OF, ~, l,n 60
Because wished to make sure yol
were s,osed to move in the matter,
replied Mr.. Cripps, somewhat ,discon
certed. "Besides, 1 did not expec
you would remember my name."
Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster was shrew,
man of the world, and this answer con
iirmed suspicion which had suddenl,
crossed his mind. He now felt con
vinced that the mans story was lie
conceived with the object of Turing hin
into n base conspiracy against hi
brothers son. The anonymous lette
had no doubt been written in order t.
test his readiness to dispute hi
nephew's inheritance. Mr.. Cripps
manners and appearance were emi
nently calculated to arouse distrust
but Medwyn Lancaster had an add
tional reason for disbelievng him. Th
fact was that, though he had employe
the man to obtain evidence of til
death of his brothers. wife, he had nc
been content to rely on the result of hi
In the excess of his zeal and disappoint
ment he had subsequently taken in
finite pains to verify the informatio
Mr.. Cripps had obtained, and had cor
vinced himself beyond doubt OF i!
correctness.
1t was symptom of an unhealth
frame of mind that he neither expresse
nor felt Indignation at the mans in
famous design. The only sentiment h
was conscious of was keen disappoint
ment. Yet at the bottom of his hear
there lurked dark and dangerou
scheme for turn ng the ex-lawyer'
baseness to account. 1t suddenly OF
Cured to him that Arthur was just til
sort of lad to be easily imposed upo
by an INSCRIPTIONS scoundrel lk
Cripps. Ii he could be induced to be
lieve that he was not legally entitled t
his inheritance, there was no KNOWN
what might happen. The young ma
had the reputation of being chivalrou
and honorable almost to the point G
absurdity, and it was quite possible tina
he might voluntarily renounce his birth
right to avoid unpleasant disclosures
The bare idea of such n contingency sc
Medwyn Lancaster's brain on fire an
deprived him of all moral conscious
ness. He could not resist the tempta
ton of suggesting to the lawyer to ca
upon Arthur and tell him his story
which Mr.. Cripps consented to do upo
receiving EGO for his expenses. Mr. Lar
caster flattered himself that his con
panion attributed to him the highes
motives for making this suggestion, bu
in reality the astute attorney guesse
pretty we'll what was passing in th
mind of his patron.
To do Mr.. Medwyn Lancaster justice
it must be admitted that he sulfere
severe qualms of conscience during TIL
next ten days. He was not a ma
of high moral principle. but neither wa
he able to retlect calmly upon what h
had done without remorse and uneas
ness. Yet he awaited the result of til
lawyers communication to A thur Lai
caster with something like hopefulnes
and 1t never occurred to him to put I'll
young mans mind at rest.
He was rudely awakened from h
state of mental apathy by shockin
and startling occurrence. Poor youn
Arthur Lancaster was found dead
his bed one morning, with n bottl,
which had evidently contained laud,
mum, grasped in his hand. Mr.. Ian
, caster was summoned to Cambridge &
the nearest relative of the deceased,
attend the inquest. He went in fes
and trembling, overwhelmed with no
ror, and scarce able to realize the dreat
/ full thing that had happened. To h
inexpressible relief, however, he foun
the sad occurrence was regarded ,
purely accidental. So far as he WI
able to ascertain, the lawyer had new,
, called upon the young man, havin
probably preferred to pocket the E.
without incurring further risk. An
i evidence was forthcoming at the inque
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