Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-03

his best to keep Miss Eel.y in good hnmor
This lady. however, was not SO easily salts
fed as the solicitor expected, for now he
had once begun to pay her attentions, she
wanted q decided offer of marriage, and
not being able to get it she took refuge in
strategem. This consisted IN suddenly
making the discovery that Mrs. Johnsons
health was in absolute want Of some Ger
man waters-in fact, she decided that it
was quite dangerous for her to spend
the spring in England, with al the
changes of heat and cold. The old
lady was therefore soon persuaded to
yield to such tender solieitude, and away
the couple went, leaving Dir. James Fox in
rather awkward dilemma. What was he
to do? IF he wrote cool letters 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 q breach OF promise case
should the good lady die when his name
only figured in her will, and should he
then turn his attentions to Miss Laquerton.
What, then, could he do
The worthy Fox was bstiied for the mo-
ment, but after deep deEberation he hit
upon q greetidea which his chemical studies
suggested TO him. Chuckling to himself
ne went to a chemists shop, purchased
several drugs, and mixed and remixed
them till 4 magnificent black ink was pro-
duced, which had tkegrand advantage that
in about ten DAYS after being committed to
paper it would fade away, without leaving
the slightest trace. Emboldened by the
happy results of his experiments, he be-
came at once the most tender and Jealous
correspondent any woman could wish for
IL El,.v-
of everlasting devotion. Miss Nelly beamed
with Joy, for she was now convinced how
true and unselhsh was the attachment OF
her admirer.
Under such circumstances it vas not sur
prising that the German waters speedily
did Mrs. johnson 50 much good that her
careful nurse considered that the cure could
be shortened ana accordingly the couple
returned to England much earlier than had
been expected.
Whether, however, the waters had really
disagreed with the old lady or something
else had upset her, was never quite clear
but soon after returning 10 England her
health and strength began seriously to fail.
She complained bitterly that Miss Nelly
had induced her to take an unnecessary
and useless journey, and ever since she had
neglected her altogether. The end of it
was that one day, in the hight of her an
ger. she burned the then existing will and
made Mr.. James Fox sole heir to every
thing 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 by his partner and friend,
almost lost his senses still, his excitement
did not prevent him from investing some
money in hat-bands and Grape, and look
g,-f
whole world rested on his shoulders. Miss
Nellie, too, melted away in 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 appear to understand her at all,
and, as day by day she became more de-
monstratiye, he grew less affectionate. The
afternoon before the funeral Miss Nellie
was extremely broken-heerted and amid
her sobs remarked how comfortable and
happy she had always been with her late
friend. To her establishment Mr. Fox at
tempted to comfort her by saying, with
cool civility, Il hope you may soon meet
again with such happy home as you have
had here till now"
On hearing this, Miss Nelly's tears sud
denly dried up, and, with eyes dilated with
astonishment and anger, she cried 1T is
You whom | expected to make me this
happy home ~
Mr.. Fox, however, simply shrugged his
shoulders saying u do not deny that
may once have had such ideas but of late
have grown wiser. Everything alters in
this world why then, should our opin-
ions not do the same? That is what we
call progress"
Upon this he bowed and left Miss Nelly
crying and fainting in an arm chair.
He did not hear anything of her till q
few days later, when gentleman called
upon him, saying that he had been in
trusted with Miss Nelly Browns affairs,
and suggested that perhaps Mr.. Fox, before
they went further, would prefer making
some private arrangement about his breach
of promise of marriage with his client.
And what proof of that promise has
Miss Brown, except her saying SOP" asked
Mr. Fox.
have seen 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 go and read them
first, before you take any further steps, and
if you can find single line from me to
Miss Brown am quite willing to let her
have ample damages without their being
awarded by Court of law"
There was something SO diabolical about
Mr.. Fox that the young defender of inno-
cence found it best to retire for the present,
leaving his opponent to rub his hands tri-
umphantly and build castles in the air
about the country seat and the horses and
carriages he was going to buy in order TO
dazzle Miss Laquerton, whom he felt justi
fed in seriously thinking about now.
Miss Nelly had meanwhile been in
formed 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, neatly
tied up with blue and pink ribbons; but,
strange to say, she could not see an adj
dress, and oh heavens when she she I'M
did the packets they contained nothing but
paper-atl white paper without a single
word on it, The willy lawyer had evident
iy 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 scorn and con-
tempt her faithless lover and his paltry
damages
Mr.. Fox, although he considered himself
stlIcdtlf ludoteT VI the mouse ana every
thing in it. felt considerably excited on the
morning of the day appointed for reading
the viii, and when Mr.. Plumley, as chief
executor, sat down and slowly got his
spectacles out, his junior partner came
over so faint and his heart huttered to such
an extent that he fancied all his hopes
and beautiful castles in the air were
crumbling away as in dream. Why did
not his old friend at once read the docu-
ment2 Why did he make the suspense so
unbearably long? Why did he continue
to stare first at the paper in his hand, then
at those around him, and then once more
at the paper without uttering single
word; and then at last, when he did
speak, why did he stammer, IL do not
know; l see nothing-in fact, it is the same
paper, but-?"
Could it be? Yes, sure enough there
was the paper on which the will had been
made ont hr1t fhare Waq 0atbiUu r1rnD