Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1883-07-26
main until this affair is decided one
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ululH until llllo unull 10 uOtlllCu ult
way or the other"
81 approve your course" rejoined
the detective; you may he able to
gather much valuable information
from the conversation between her and
her brother"
ut is for that purpose have de-
cided to remain, returned she, with
determined expression.
THAT is well, Miss Howe" rcjoined
Varnoe. 81 shall proceed to work up
this case at once, and may be absent
for a few days, therefore, if you have
anything to communicate, do so by
| note"
The girl promised to do so, and took
her departure.
The detective sat pOndering over the
matter for some time after Miss lOwe'S
departure. He had been very favorably
impressed with her manner, and her
story had enlisted his sympathy. Then,
too, the case was of such nature as to
excite his professional pride, and he de-
termined TO make every possible effort
to ascertain the facts of the alleged
marriage, and expose the fraudulent
attempt, if such it should prove TO be,
TO deprive the girl of her rightful in
heriiancc.
VarnOe'S first move was 10 hunt up
the Rev. Mr.. Brainard. He aScertained
that the gentleman resided in German
town, and accordingly paid him visit,
and became satisfied that such mar
age nad taken place and that the rever-
end gentleman had performed the
ceremony.
On the following day, Mrs. Hull had
a new border, middle-aged gentle
man, somewhat deaf, but a very atlable
and entertaining gentleman. Ilo called
himself Stanley Falls, and represented
himself rs u retired merchant. 1t was
Varnoc in disguise, and so cleverly dis
guised that Miss Howe never dreamed
that it was he.
In few days he became sufficiently
intimate with her to address n few
words TO her occasionally when they
met, and Miss Clara thought him u
very agreeable gentleman.
One evening they were quito alone
in the parlor, when Mr.. Falls startled
her by abruptly asking, in a low voice:
Have you made any discoveries yet,
Miss Howe?"
81 do not understand you, sir" said
she, gazing at him with apprehension.
"Bc calm, beg of you, said he. 81
am Varnoe, the detective, and am here
to SEQ and hear what can. So be care.
ful not to betray me to Mrs. Hull Call
me by my assumed name whenever
you address me. also understand the
german language, and have learned
something. Now, please tell mo what
you have learned?h
The young girl was too much sur
prised to reply at once, but, when she
was finally convinced tnat it was indeed
the detective, she spoke without re-
serve.
II have called on the Rev. Mr.. Brain
ard, " said she, land find that Mrs. Hull
has spoken the truth in respect to her
marriage with Mr. Francis Rowland,
but | cannot believe that it was my
uncle, for he did not like her, for the
reason that hc thought her u designing
wOmalI."
"What else have you discovcrcd?"
Nothing worth speaking off, re-
piled she, with sigh; only she and her
brother appear to be in very happy
frame of mind"
81 have also seen and spoken with
the Rev. Brainard, and saw the mar
riage of Francis Rowland and Mrs.
Lucretia Hullin the marriage register"
said the detective, in return, land |
copied the date in my note book, besides
other matters which will come in play
when the lady puts in her claim"
"And that will be pretty soon, I'm
thinking" was the rejoindcr, "for Mr..
Harvey, the attorney, has informed me
that in q day or two he would be ready
to place my uncle's property in my
hands"
"Did you apprisc him of this
woman's claim?"
81 did, and he said | should resist
her to the end"
After n few moments pause, Varnoe
said:
81 shall stay here until she makes
her first move, when shall leave the
house and take sides with you ut court.
| have gathered n few items of import
ance, which will bo made known at
the proper time, and | may promise
you in advance that Mrs. Hull has but
one chance in a hundred to gain her
ends"
"Oh, thank you so much for this
consolation, responded the young
girl, mot that would keep anyone
out of his or her rights, only the idea
OF my dear uncle secretly marrying u
woman whom ho had known but a
short time, is simply prepostcrous, and
more so when it is well known fact
that he had forsworn marriage from
the day his bethrothed bride was borne
to her grave"
Two days after the above conversa-
ton took place, Miss Clara Howe came
into possession of her inheritance, and
tho day after Mrs. Hull put in her
claim for third of it. Miss Howe in
formed the attorney that she did not
recognise his clients claim, and was
prepared to contestit.
Court was in session, and the case of
Hull VS.. Howe came up. The court
room was crowded, and every one was
eager to hear the celebrated case, as
mentioned in the daily papers.
Mrs. Hull was present, smiling and
confident in all appearances. Her
brother sat beside her, but did not
look as cheerful as his sister.
Miss Clara Howe was there, quiet
and determined. Varnoe sat beside
Jessie Sell, whom he had brought
there for purpose, as will be seen.
After tho attorney had opened tho
case, stating The grounds on which his
client based her claim, Mrs. Hull took
the stand, and in plain, straightfor.
ward manner related how she and Mr..
Rowland had come to an understand
ing, and became mutually pleased with
each other, and agreed to secret mar
riage-this being his own proposition
and that they were finally united by
the Rev. Mr., Brainard.
On being cross-examined, she pro-
duced the marriage certificate, and Mr..
Harvey, counsel for Miss Howe, smiled
as he perused it, then wrote the date of
the marriage on slip of paper, after
which no handed 1t to tho judge, who