Mexico weekly ledger., 1882-03-02

death Of his relative: on the contrary.
he smiled and appeared perfectly iu-
bllant at the stroke Of good fortune.
You have heard, he said. L be-
heve. of my cousins death. and
came here because he once told me
that three or four years since You had
drawn up will in my favor
''All this was natural enough, but
there was something in the man 5
manner that made me study his face
closely. II seemed to NE that under
his appearance Of simplicity he was
playing q deep game. Yet what game
could he be playing: l was forced
to dismiss the thought and turn nv
attention to business.
1T is true that Mr.. Stokes did
instruct me to draw up such a will.
but he hid not entrnst the keeping of
II TO me. / answered. Il have the
draft Of it. and that is ALL
The man looked startled, but the
look was not one of genuine surprise
and only made me suspect him more
strongly than ever.
Where in the world can the will
be them he said. Perhaps YOU
could 60 out with me and take charge
If things and see if it can be found:'
This was said with curious look
into my face. as if he was saving to
himself. Il wonder if he suspects
me-: and. contrary to my usual prac-
tice, | resolved to go in person in
stead Of sending a clerk.
A cab which he had kept in wait
ing took us to the house. i'll which We
found the nurse who had attended the
old man in his last illness. and all ell
derly woman who had acted as his
h0u~ekeeper. The nurse was not so
stupid a many old-fashioned nurses.
and took occasion. during a momen-
taGy absence Of Gunson. to draw me
aside. and say. Il hope the old man :
money won't 90 to that man. He
was here ever SO often before Mr..
Stokes died, and they quarreled hot.
can tell YOU.
What did they quarrel about l
asked with much interest.
Il think that man asked for mon
ey. for l heard him say Il shall be
ruined if l cannot pay Il did not
hear all that was said, but it was bit
ter while it lasted, and the old man
had me i'll with fearful ring Of the
bell. and told me 10 show that villain
out
L saw murder in his eye he
said and not penny Of my money
shall he ever finger. | wish l knew
where my poor girl lives. She should
have it all, poor thing Then he or
dered me out Of the room. and heard
! him shuttle across TO the fire. and
when | came back | could see that
he had turned something in the fire.
place-which | believe. sir, it was the
will.
No doubt the old man : davs had
been shortened by the excitement
from those frequent quarrels. When 8
man Of no moral principles. like Gun.
ni>on. i given an interest in another
death. it Is not at all unlikely that he
will try to hasten the removal Of al
that stands between him and for.
tune-especially when he thinks il
can be done without discovery.
felt. however. as the man rejoineG
me- q thorough repugnance TO him
and was very near telling him not tc
| trouble 10 look for the will. as / had
reason to believe that it had been de.
>troyed; but l conquered the feeling
as well | could: and. indeed. had Nc
evidence to prove that the will haC
been destroyed.
The hOusekeeper then showed IL
a trunk in which old Stokes had KEEP
all his papers. l opened it. anC
at the top l found little packet O
letters from his daughter. | glanced
at one: it was full Of sorrow and ten
tderness. asking SO earnestly if sh'
might show him their boy. The let
ter went on: We call him Matthew
father: and when We were withou
bread the little fellow said he would
come to YOU for some for mother
He was sure YOU would not say no
and now my dear husband has work
and although it would not be to be:
We should come, vet l do want, dea
!. father. to see you once more Owe
; the next few words the ink had run
or the paper had got SO wet that
could not read them. Perhaps j
the miller had been alive he coul
have told us how this happened
, Il folded up the letter, and turn
; ing suddenly to Gunson, who ha
. been looking over me. saw sar
donic smile on his face, which di
r not improve my opinion of him. W
went over all the papers, but coul
not find the will.
just as l was about to close th
= trunk Gunson said: We have nc
/ looked in the pocket inside the lid.
: l did so, and to my surprise cam
upon folded paper, which appeare
/ to be the will, or so exact copy c
it that was not prepared to deny il
' identity. 1t was written ON kind {
} paper that have used for that pm
I nose for half q lifetime. and the wri