The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-01-17

the money until he was safely on board
ship. Upon his return to London, feel
ing, in spite OF sundry misgivings, more
relieved and light-bearted than he had
done since his uncle's death, his exuber-
ant spirits received q sudden check in
consequence OF the receipt OF letter
from Mr.. Mayne, which ran thus;
| LIEcOLS'g. INY-FIILDs.
SIR, formerly acted professionally for
your ato uncle, Colonel Laklng. and shall bc
| glad II you will give INC Il call ut your earliest
| convenience, on n matter OF importance.
Yours faithfully JoHs. u. mAYNE.
This communication gave him great
shock, for it naturally occurred to him
at once that this 'matier Of impor-
lance" referred to his uncle's will. II
the document had already been missed,
immediate steps would, Of course, be
taken to recover it. which might lead
TO the arrest OF Crumber, and even re-
suit in his own apprehension on crimi-
nal charge. The bare notion OF such a
calamity brought beads OF perspiration
to his brow. and his first impulse was to
fee the country.
But upon second thoughts he aban-
doned the idea. Even supposng
Crumber should be suspected OF having
DESTROYED the will there was no proof.
The man would deny the charge for his
own sake, besides which he was out OF
the country. Upon the whole, Alfred
Laking thought the wisest course would
be TO lace the matter out; and much as
he would have preferred 10 avoid an in
ierview with the lawyer. he determined
to call upon him without delay.
Accordingly he presented himself at
Mr.. Mayne's Office the morning aiterre-
cciving the letter, looking very pale and
nervous, though making every effort to
appear at case. 80, -,
IL wrote to YOU" Mr.. Laking, said
the old lawyer, when they had ex-
changed greetings, "bccause / have,
reason to believe that you have received
n communication from man named
Crumbcr."
mo" murmurcd Alfred Laking.
His answer appeared to cause Mr..
Mayne some surprise, for the old gen
tleman stared at him through his spec
,acles for a second or two, and then
sad. rather sharply:
.Name OF Crumber. The man was q
clerk in my Office until recently"
Certainly not" repeated Alfred
Laking. lie intended his reply TO be
bold and emphatic, but the attempt
was n miserable failure. There was O
quaver in his voice, and his eyes in
stinctively sought the carpet.
"A-hem!' coughod Mr.. Maync, in an
unplcasantly significant manner. "Ihc
fact is," he resumed, ''your uncle made
Il will shortly before he died, which he
left in my charge, but few days later
he called and revoked it. He gave n,
his reason that no did not wish his ami
mostly against you to continue after hi
death"
"You don't say thatr exclaime'
Alfred Laking, with stare of genuine
surprise.
"lIc revoked the will by tearing oil
the signatures on the last page con
tinucd the lawyer, still looking his visit
or in the face. land the mutilated docu
mcnt being, of course, mere waste paper
was tied to the draft and put away in al
old press. This man Crumbcr, whom
discharged few weeks ago for dishon
esty, seems to have purloincd the mu
tilated document, and, thinking III
might mediate attempting TO impose
upon you, conceived it TO be my duty
to warn you. lie might, for instance
have restored the last page by means o
forgery, and passed oil the will upor
you as valid and subsisting."
"The internal scoundrel!' cried Al
fred Laking, violently, forgetting hi
caution, when he thought of his Il. 900
"Yes, I'm afraid he is that" said th,
lawyer, dryly. $50 you sec, Mr.. ak
ing, it was kindness thrown away OF
your part TO take tho trouble to soc hin
of from Liverpool yesterday. / wisl
you good morning. SIR"