The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-09-09

Uenueu 10 manage MS own affairs, and
was not likely to develop into a tracta-
BILE, confiding client. Perhaps it was
owing to circumstances that MIR. Parch-
ment conceived strange aversion TO
his co-exeeutor-so much so, that he
did not feel very Loyalty disposed to-
wards him.
On the other hand, he sympathized
very much with the old mans nephew.
Arthur Downing, who came up to town
to attend his uncle's funeral When
Mr.. Parchment informed him of the
purport of the viii, he bore his disap-
pointment so bravely, without q trace
of anger or resentment, that the old
lawyers expressions of coincidence had
a genuine ring in them. Arthur Down
ing explained that he had incurred his
uncle's displeasure by marrying against
the old mans wishes, and he was there
fore not altogether surprised at being
disinherited. At the same time. his
uncle had written him a letter shortly
before his death, in which he did not
repeat his threat OF altering his will and
Arthur Downing had come up to town
in the full expectation that he was his
uncle's heir, Mr.. Parchment was much
struck by the magnanimity which the
young man displayed toward Mr.. Hus-
keith. Far from attributing his rivals
good fortune to chicanery or undue in
iluence, he said that his uncle had al
ways rather distrusted the man, and was
not the least likely to have consulted
him about the disposition of his prop
erty. He expressed his conviction that
Husketh was highly respectable per-
son, and frankly admitted that his long
and faithful service entitled him TO sub
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 begip
life afreSh, Mr.. Parchment felt that he
would gladly forfeit his legacy if he
could find flaw in old Mr.. Downinp's
unjust will. However, he knew very
we'll that the document was perfectly
valid on the face of it, and he therefore
had to content himself with wrnoinp
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-executor
to dispose of the testator's furniture and
household effects. AS old Mr.. Downing,
though a rich man, only. occupied the
upper part of 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 to
work. .... ,..,
One evening, about 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 t200 for few days until the pro-
bate of the will could be obtained
Though surprised at the request, Mr.
Parchment asked no questions, but at
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 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: 'a 'n,l. ,,i,,
If you please, sir, Iventured to stop
that check you gave Mr.. Husketh last
night" .r , ,. ~ ."
"What!' exclaimed Mr.. Parchment
quite aghast GLOW dare you do such
thing without asking meP'' .1l
"When old Mr.. Downing signed his
will, SIR" said the clerk, hurriedly, 81
was one of the attesting witnesses, and l
noticed that he had singular scar on
the back of his hand" w."
ii "Well, and what if he had?' ex-
claimed the lawyer, irritably,
sit is a singular coincidence that
MIR. Husketh has a, precisely similar
mark on the back of his hand-a scar
Ikea burn just below the wrist. i no.
ticed it when he signed the receipt yes
terday," said the clerk, impressiyely.
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 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