Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-05

A FoI CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP.
Continued from yesterday

suaded to yield to such tender sollcltude,
and away the couple went. leaving Mr..
James Fox in a rather awkward dilemma.
What was he to do? If he wrote cool let
tiers to Miss Nelly. she would be offended,
and all his chances would be lost in the
event of her inheriting Mrs. Johnson's
property: on the other hand, if he played
the part OF lover, he committed himself.
and gave her the materials tor breach Of
promise case should the good lady die
when his name only figured in the will.
and should he then turn his attention to
Miss Laquerton.
What, then. could he do?
The worthy Fox was baffled for the mo-
ment, but after deep elaboration, he hit
upon great idea which his chemical
studies suggested to him. Chuckling to
himself. he went to a chemists shop. pur-
chased several drugs, and mixed and re-
mixed them till magnificent black ink
was produced. which had the grand ad-
vantage that in about ten days after being
committed to paper. it would fade away,
without leaving the slightest trace.
Emboldened by the happy result of his
experiments. he became at once the most
tender and Jealous correspondent any wO-
man could wish for. His letters. in fact
overlooked with promises of everlasting
devotion. Miss Nelly beamed with joy !;
for she was now convinced how true and
unselfsh was the attachment of her adj
mirer.
Under such circumstances, it was not
surprising that the German waters speed
lily did Mrs. johnson so much good that
her careful nurse considered that the cure
could be shortened, and accordingly the
couple returned TO England much earlier
than had been expected.
Whether. however, the waters had real
ly disagreed with the old lady, or some
thing else had upset her, was never quite
clear, but soon after their return to Eng
land, her health and strength began Sc
riouslv to fail. She complained bitterly
that Miss Nelly had induced her to under
take an unnecessary and useless journey.
and that ever since she had neglected her
altogether.
The end of it was. that one day. in the
height of her anger, she burnt the then
existing will, and made Mr.. James Fox
her sole heir to everything she possessed
This decision seemed to have exhausted
her remaining energy, for she died not
many days after.
Mr.. Fox. who had been appraised of the
state of affairs bv his partner and friend,
almost lost his senses with joy, still his
excitement did not prevent his investing
some money in hatbands and Grape, and
looking as mournful as if the sorrows of a
whole world rested upon his shoulders.
Miss Nellie. too. almost melted away
with tears, and could only be comforted
by "her JAMIE" as she now called Mr..
Fox. But the latter seemed to have
turned quite dull with grief. He did not
by day as she became more demonstrative
he grew less affec'ionate.
The afternoon before the funeral. Miss
Nellie was extremely broken hearted, and
amid her sobs remarked how comfortable
and happy she had always been with her
late dear friend. To her establishment
Mr.. Fox attempted to comfort her by say
ing. with cool civility, 81 hope you may
soon meet again with such happy home
as YOU have had here until now"
On hearing this, Miss Nellie's tears sud-
denly dried up, and with eyes diated with
establishment and anger she cried: ut is
you whom expect to make me this happy
homer
Mr.. Fox. however, simply shrugged his
shoulders, saving:
81 do not deny that l may have once
had such ideas. but of late l have grown
wiser. Everything alters in this world
why. then, should not our opinions do the
same? That is what we call progress"
Upon this he bowed and left Miss Nellie
crying and fainting in an arm chair.
He did not hear anything of her until a
few days later, when gentleman called
upon him. saying that he had been intrust.
ed with Miss Nellie Browns affairs, and
suggesting that perhaps Mr.. Fox, before
matters went further, would prefer max.
ing some private arrangements about his
breach of promise of marriage with client
"And what proof OF promise has Miss
Brown, except her saying SOP" asked Mr..
Fox
"Oh," answered the young man. 81
have seen a box full of letters from YOU
"Have you read them?" continued Mr.
Fox. sarcastically.
Not yet," replied the other. "but
have seen the box"
.Well, you had better 90 and read them
first. before you take any further steps,
and if you can find single line from me
to Miss Brown. am willing to let her
have ample damages without their being
awarded by court of law"
There was something so diebolical about
Mr.. Fox that the young defender of inno-
cence found it best to retire for the pres.
ent, leaving his opponent to rub his hands
triumphantly and build castles in the ali
about the country seat and the horses and
carriages he was going to buy in order tc
dazzle Miss Laquerton. whom he felt JUS
tilted in seriously thinking about.
Miss Nelly had meanwhile been inform.
ed of the conversation at Mr.. Fox's office
and, with an indignant exclamation about
"such incredible untruths." she went to
fetch her letter box. There, sure enough.
were the letters, all in little packets, neat
~ tied up with blue and pink ribbons
but. strange to say. she could not see an
address; and, oh. heavens! when she I'M
did the packets they contained nothing but
paper-all white paper without single
word on it. The willy lawyer had evil
IDENTIFY deceived her by some demoniacal
trick.
The shock was so great to the poor
love-sick lady that she had scarcely the
courage to show herself when the will was
to be read but she rallied at last, hoping
against hope that it might still be in her
favor. when she could treat with scorr
! 80, 4 4