The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-01-12

very wei 10 MS laJe masters UeSCrlp
ton of him. Mr.. Husketh expressed
mild surprise when the important news
was communicated to him, but showed
no emotion whatever Though he
treated Mr. Parchment with respectful
Difference, the lawyer could see that he
intended to manage his own affairs, and
not likely to develop into a tractable,
confding client. Perhaps it was ow-
ing to circumstances that Mr.. Parch-
ment conceived a strange aversion to
his co executor-so much 30 that he
did rot feel very Loyalty disposed to.
ward him.
On the other hand he sympathized
very much with the old mans nephew,
Arthur Downing, who came up to town
TO attend his uncles funeral. When
Mr.. Parchment Informed HIM of the
purport of the will, he bore his dissap-
pointments so bravely, without a trace
OF anger or resentment, that the old
lawyers expression 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 was therefore
not surprised at his being disinberit-
ed.
AT the same time his uncle had writ.
ten to him 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.. Husketh Far
from attributing his rivals good for
tune TO chicanery or undue influence,
he said that his uncle had always dis
trusted the man, and was not the least
likely to have consulted him about the
disposition of his property. He ex-
pressed his conviction that Husketh
was highly respectable person, and
frankly admitted that his long and
faithful rervice entitled him to substan-
tial benefits from his late master
When the young man proceeded to
say that he must now resign his COM
mission and emigrate to the colonies to
begin life afresh, Mr.. Parchment felt
that he would gladly forfeit his legacy
if he could find a flaw in old Mr.. Down
ing's unjust will. However, he knew
very well that the document was per-
fectly valid on the face of it, and he,
therefore, had to content himself with
wringing ArthurDownings hand SYM
pathetically as they parted with mu.
tual expressions of good will.
This interview, though it tended to
increase the lawyers autipathy to Mr.
Husketh, served to satisfy him of the
mans integrity, and he therefore took
the necessary steps forproving the will
without delay, leaving his co-exccutor
to dispose of the testator's furniture
and household effects. As old Mr.
Downing, though rich man, only oc-
cupied the upper part of house in
Harewood Square, his domestic affairs
were easily arranged, and the lawyer
was much impressed by the cool, bus
inesslike 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
announced. The ex-valet appeared
less placid and self-possessed than usual,
and asked the lawyer to let him have a
loan of f200 for few days, until the
probate 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 az 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's signature, and
hurried off to keep an appointment.
Next morning, whom 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
"lf you please, sir, / ventured to
stop that check you gave Mr.. Husketh
last night
"What ~ exclaimed Mr.. Parchment,
quite aghast. slow dare you do such
a thing without asking me o.
"When old Mr.. Downing signed his
will, sir" said the clerk, hurriedly, II
was one of the attesting witnesses, and
noticed that he had singular scar on
the back of his hand"
"Wcll, and what if he had 2" exclaim
ed the lawyer, irritably,
at Is singular coincidence that Mr..
Husketh has precisely similar mark
on the back of his hand-a scar like a
burn ust below the wrist. l noticed
1t when he signed the receipt yesterday"
said the clerk, impressively.
Before Mr.. Parchment had time TO
comment on this communication,
another clerk enteredthe room, fol-
lowed by young woman, who did not
wait to be announced but pushed
herself in front OF him, and con
fronted the astonished lawyer with fam
ing eyes. In her hand she held a slip
of paper, which he recognized as one of
his own checks, and the circumstance
helped him to indentify the young wo-
man az the servant maid who ha open
ed the door TO him when he called at
Hardwood square to announce to Hus-
keth his good fortune.
"What is the meaning of this ?" she
cried, holding out the slip of paper with
trembling fingers.
81 am sorry" said Mr.. Parchment,
perceiving that it was the check he had
given to Husketh,. "There has been a
misunderstanding, I'm afraid Pray be
seated
misunderstanding Yes, l should
think so = exclaimed the young woman,
speaking in a shrill and excited voice.
"He told me | had only to go to the
bank, and | should get 200 sovereigns
for that, instead of which / am treated
like pickpooket and sent over here.
| knew it was only trick of his. He
wanted me to go without money, but
knew him too well so, then, he gives