News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-11-18

4
tinued Mr.. Bold.
The captain nodded, but seemed b
his manner to wish to change the sui
ject. Mr.. Bold noticed this at the time
and thought good deal about it after
ward.
''Of course, Captain Rosseter," sal,
Mr.. Bold, in his most convincing an
authoritative tone, ''you will not tax
upon yourself the responsibility thrus
upon you by this will, which, no doubt
was never intended to stand
"Why do you say that2' inquired tn
captain, rather quickly.
''Well, frankly, Captain Rosseter, be
tween you and me, do you consider tina
you are fitted to he young lady's guar
dian2 Excuse my outspokenness, addet
the lawyer, endeavoring to soften hi
remarks by smiling and showing hi
false teeth. "but really, now, woul'
| you in the testator's place -"
anyhow. there is the will" inter
posed Captain Rosseter, evidently no
liking the insinuation.
''Yes, here is the will, but should
certainly advise you to wash your hands
out of it," said Mr.. Bold, in fatherly
manner. "What I propose to do is tt
pay the money-by the way, Isuppos'
there is money!"
81 suppose So" said the captain, will
real or affected earnestness.
"Pay the money into court and get F.,
legal guardian appointed" resumed
Mir. Bold, with cheerful confidence
''You will thus be relieved of all respon
sibility and trouble"
The captain, who had become yer,
red and uncomfortable, made no answe
| to this suggestion, but stretched out hi
hand and took up the will. He read i
through carefully, and then proceeded
to fold it up.
81 am entitled to have this, l sup
pose," he said, almo st defiantly.
"Well-er-yes, in strictness," replied
Mr.. Bold, completely taken aback.
''But it has to be approved and deposi-
ted in the probate court"
"Yes, know" replied the captain,
rising from his seat and thrusting the
document into his pocket.
Gam l to understand" gasped Mr..
Bold, turning crimson, that you pro-
pose to employ your own SOLICITOR"
Ihave solicitor, said the captain,
shortly, Good day to you, MIR.
Bold"
"Stayl Stay, sir!" exclaimed Mr..
Bold, endeavoring to control his indig-
nation, which almost choked him. II
must trouble you to give me a receipt
fol the document"
''By all MEANS" said the captain,
who seemed to have recovered his assur-
ance.
The lawyer struck the hand-bel upon
his table sharply, and with forced calm
ness instructed Whitaker to prepare
the necessary receipt. This formality
being completed. the captain strobe out
of the office, leaving the lawyer and his
clerk staring at one another in speech
less Indignation.
1.-The man is a rogue!" said Mr.. Bold
as som as he could speak.
''Means to collar the money, remarked
the clerk
''Not if can help IT." exclaimed Mr.
Bold, with unusual energy. "Pll
apply to the court Immediately and
have the man removed from his
Office"
"You will have to get evidence first, y
said Whitaker, prudently.
''Pooh! his reputation will be suffi-
cient," returned Mr.. Bold, impatiently.
However, when he came to make in
quiries about Captain Rosseter which
he proceeded to do forthwith in the heat
of his virtuous Indignation-he found it
more difficult than he had imagined to
convict him of serious misconduct. The
captain had led the life of man about
town, had had numerous transactions
with the money lending fraternity, had
played high and drunk pretty free
", and there were dark corners in his
career which would not, perhaps, have
stood the test of censorious investiga-
ton. But there was no recorded act of
his that could be pointed out as dis
graceful or dishonorable. To Mr.. Bold's
secret vexation he found that people
were inclined to judge the captain leni-
emily, to speak lightly of his faults and
lay stess upon his good nature, his easy
generosity and his jovial disposition.
Moreover, it seemed that during the last
year or two Captain Rosseter had aband-
oned his usual haunts and occupations,
had given up cards and had shown
distinct symptoms of sober respecta-
bility.
The result was that the lawyer could
not see his way to make case against
Captain Rosseter which would justify
him in invoking the interference of the
court of chancery in the interest of the
captains ward Mr.. Bold did not adj
NIT that he was beaten, even to himself,
and his prejudice against the captain
was as strong as ever. He was con-
vinced in his own mind that Captain
Rosseter contemplated a gross fraud in
connection with his trusteeship, and ne
fully intended to checkmate him. Mean
while, however, it transpired that there
was no living member of the Tremayne
family who could be brought forward
to pose as next friend to the young
orphan, and this technical difficulty,
combined with the absence of proof of
the captains doubtful reputation, caused
him to defer taking any steps.
At length, however, after many weeks
had elapsed, Whitaker came into his
masters room one day with startling
piece of intelligence The ever-watch-
full clerk had discovered that Captain
Rosseter had purchased for himself an
estate at StanmoIe for 81, 900.
"At least he bought 1t in his wife's
name" explained Whitaker. "But the
question Is, where did the money come
fromT'
"Good heavensp' exclaimed Mr..
Fold. Married, ehi is he2 l heard a
rumor, but he isn't supposed to be mar
ried. However. as you say, the ques-
tion is, where did he get that 81, 900
from2"
81 don't think it is difficult to guess"
said Whitaker, with a grin.
'"Pon my word, Whitaker, I'm afraid
it is a case of serious fraud. know for
certain that the man has not 81, 900 of
his own," said the lawyer, getting ex-
cited.
81 wonder where the young lady ISL"
exclaimed Whitaker
"We must find out" said Mr.. Bold,
energetically. Overland & Co. gave
you the address of the school at Bright
on, didn't they2 We'll you must 90
down there at once, Whitaker, and
trace her. feel it my duty to investi-
gate this matter, for | should not be the
least surprised if it transpired that this
Captain Rosseter has been helping him
self to the trust money"
Whitaker, being entirely of the same
opinion, started off on his mission with
out delay, and was absent about week.
during which time Mr.. Bold fumed with
and curiosity. Whittakers
report. when lie returned, was not cal
culated to allay suspicious He had
traced Miss Tremayne through her girl.
ish career, from Brighton to school at
and from thence to Bath.
At the latter city she had resided until
n wear or two AGO with an elderly lady