Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-07-29
A QUESTION OF TIME.

ut is useless, this persistence. The
tie of cousinly relationship is all that
can ever exist between u.s."
"But have other reasons to urge"
"None that can avail"
"At least hear them"
"Yes, if am forced, but my answer
is already given"
"You may reconsider it,"
It was no longer in the persuasive
tone of the lover that Adrian Hermon
spoke.
His last utterance had a touch of
sternness in it. The changed intona-
ton had not passed unnoticed-a fact
sufficiently evinced by the look, half
scornful, half inquiring, which Alice
Hermon turned upon the speaker.
"Your father" Adrian continued,
"left his affairs in a condition so per-
picked and intricate, that when, at your
request, undertook their settlement, it
was some time before their exact pos
ture could be ascertained. A thorough
examination, am sorry to say, proves
his estate largely insolvent. Our long
absent uncle, you are aware, ignorant,
it seems, of your and my existence, be-
queathed his immense fortune to his
two brothers, your father and mine
the whole in the event of the death of
either before that of the testator, to 60
to the survivor. The fact that your
father died one day before our uncle.
and that mine survived him several
months, legally entities me to the
whole of an inheritance, half of which
had else been yours"
1.-THE conclusion of the WHOLE" said
Alice, with curl of her beautiful lip,
"being that the accident of day has
made me penniless and you rich"
"Under the circumstances I had
hoped" Adrian resumed, "that my
offer"
"Let me be sure I understand it," in
terupted Alice; "is it to purchase the
hand that have refused to give?"
"The offensive words are your own,"
said Adrian.
"And their meaning yours" Alice re-
torted.
"You at least prize your fathers rep
utation," he said.
"More dearly than lifev Alice an
swered.
ut is with you to shield or blast itr
The girls cheek blanched, and there
was something painful in her startled
look that besought more earnestly than
words an explanation of her Cousins
language.
IA large sum your father held in
trust,n Adrian went on, sis not forth
coming, and disgrace must attach to
his memory unless you choose to avert
it. The means are happily within
your power. Accept my offer, and
from my fortune the default shall be
made good, and none need ever know
it.n
The momentary pallor that had over
spread the face of Alice, gave place to a
deep flush. "Your statement,n she re-
Joined, "that my father died poor,
could readily have believed, knowing
his generous nature, and how little
likely he was to have boarded wealth.
But the imputation of dishonesty I
know to be as false as the heart that
conceived it and the tongue that gave
it utterance! Go! but go with this as
surance-a speedy and thorough investi-
cation by those whom and others can
trust shall place it beyond your power
again to malign the virtues ofthe dead.'
True to her promise, Alice lost no
time in seeking the counsel and assist
ance ofan old and tried friend of her
father, who was besides shrewd and
able lawyer.
Mr.. Barker had quick eye for rogue
ry, and was very prompt with his deal
ing with it.
Within week after the first inter-
view with Alice. Adrian Hermon was
served with a couple of writs, one a
citation, requiring him forthwith to file
his accounts as administrator of Alice's
father; the other summons In an &C.
tion brought to recover Alice's portion
of her uncle's estate.
The last, everybody said, was hope
less, the death of Alice's father one day
before that of her uncle settling the
question.
1t was quite unusual for Mr.. Barker's
zeal to outrun his judgment, but II
seemed to have done so in the present
case.
However, the little lawyer went about
his business in his accustomed way,
keeping his own counsel and seeking
no ones.
Considerable time elapsed before the
case could be brought to hearing.
Andrew Hermon, the rich uncle, after
many years merchandising In the East
Indies, had at last embarked for home
and died at sea.
His death was reported to have oc.
Cured on the 25th of December, 49,,
that of Alice's father having happened
on the oath of the same month. Gan.
tain Harris, the commander of the
vessel, was now absent on another voy-