The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-20

so nasty. Altogether, the approaching festive season promised 10 be dreary enough but this state of things was not to last forever.
 On the afternoon of Monday, the sth of December, the senior partner had gone home early, and MT. Gouldipg was sit ting in his private ofice alone. That very day he had received letter. from Mrs. Reddie stating that, after consulting with her children, she had come to the determination to end the suspense if poe sibie, and make terms with Sir Peter by undertaking not to claim the property in the event of the will turning up afterward, on conditions of his allowing her and her daughters a substantial annuity. Mir. Gculding did not like this proposal at all. The b2rones did not as yet even know that the will was lost, though he might have suspected it; but to make these overtures to him would be to show their hand. If Sir Peter acted for himself, in. deed, there might be chance of his con- sendng to a compromise but he would doubtless be in the hands of Crooks, who was so avaricious that be would be sure to make the most oi the opportunity, and give the Reddles nothing. Besides, Mr Gouldiug felt that it would be too bad if the bulk ot the property went to Sir Peter after all, in spite of the testator's wishes, and without making a nght for 1t. lie had begun to write reply to Mrs. Red die, urging her to wait little longer, when one of the clerks came to say that gentleman wished to see him.
 "Who IS he?n Mir. Goulding asked.
 "He wouldn't give his name, sir; but he said he must see one of the firm"
 "Show him in then said the solicitor wearily, as he laid down his pen and presently the gentleman entered.
 He was tall man, with gray hair and whiskers, but slightly bald. His face was carewOrn, but refined, and his eyes were clear and kindly-looking. He wore q long, heavy overooat, and his throa, vas muffled to the chin, his coat collar being also tuned up. His age might have been sixty years. He took the chair which MT. Goulding indicated, keeping as much in the shadow as possible, and, after a moments hesitation, began the conver. sation with little nervousness of man. her.
 "l believe am speaking to Mir. Gould ingr'
 The solicitor bowed.
 "Did you not lose bag lately, with some papers in it ?'
 "Yes, yesw exclaimed Mir. Goulding, turning pale in his eagerness. What ofit1 Do you know where it isp"
 "lt is quite safe. But must make one condition, or rather ask one favor of you, and that is, that you will not seek to kno 7 my name or anything beyond what shall tell you myself"
 Oh, certainly, certainly. But is there a will in the bag2 Where is itS"
 "The bag is here, and the will also and thought it best to bring it straight to you," sad the gentleman with a slight smile, as he produced paper parcel.
 Mir. Goulding hastily tore it open, and there, sure enough, was his bag and in it were various papers and the precious will itself. For a minute he was quite unable to speak, then he seized the gen tleman's hand and shook it vigorously.
 My dear sir" he said, "you are the most welcome visitor I've had for many a long day But tell me about 1t; can't understand 1t at all"
 "l will tell you," said the gentleman, with a touch of sadness in tone; "but hope you will not repeat more of the story than is necessary. 1 found your papers in my heus only yesterday. The bag was taken-I do not knew exactly under what circumstances-but it was taken by my wife" .,
 "Yes. She is provided with every luxury, for am ich but she is afflicted with that failing called kleptomania, and this is net the first time it has led to un- happy results. She takes everything she can lay her hands on, am sorry to say, when she thinks it can be done safely :; and l have no doubt she took your bag, though she says she found it. But how did it occur?"
 MT. Goulding briefly explained the circumstances.
 "Then the advertisement in the papers yCarss" yy..1
 "I guessed as much. My wife was travelling at the time with her maid and had to change at Crewe, so it must have been she who looked into your compart- ment. suppose seeing the bag close to her hand she teok it and concealed it under her cloak without the knowledge ofher attendant It happened, fortunately, that had occasion to open a private drawer of hers yesterday, where saw the bag; but when questioned her about it, she said she found it in the train, which, as l feared, was not exactly true live more than a hundred miles from London but lost no time in coming up to restore it. And now hope there is nothing missing3'
 "it is all right, am happy to say" Mir. Goulding replied. Gle did not men tion the thirty shillings, which it ap- peared the lady had kept
 "Then will go," said the gentleman {; "but am very sorry if this has caused any serious inconvenience"
 "Wel, of course it has worried us but that is past and thank you very much for coming 90 promptly to take load of my mind"
 Then they shook hands, and the strange