The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-09-04


"Mary, you shall not escape me
thus" continued the young man.
81 repeat it, you shall be mine.
Dearest girl come to my heartfelt
ME fold you to my breast
A half suppressed scream now
reached my cars, and I heard the
infatuated young man rush toward
her. thought it was high time to
interfere. Iran to the folding doors,
threw them wide open, and just saw
the inebriate seize the shrinking girl
in his grasp. When he saw me he
loosened his hold, demoniacal ex-
preston lighted uphis features, and
he hurried from the room, shaking
his fist in my face as he made his
exit. l caught the fainting girl in
my arms and conveyed her to the
sofa. A few simple restoratives re-
stored her to consciousness, but it
was some time before ! could make
her believe that the danger was
past.
1 thought it my duty to acquaint
Mr.. Norval with the whole transac-
ton, that proper means might be
adopted 10 prevent recurrence of
this persecution. Charles Norval
was forbidden tho house. About a
month after this occurrence, busi-
ness took me to a Southern city
where / was detained II week. The
very night returned to New York
1 received a visit from Mr.. NJ, the
famous attorney.
"Brampton," said he, when he en-
tered the room, 81 have been here
to see you dozen times to-day.
Thank God, you have come at lastP'
"Why what is the matter, Mr..
M"
81 am in great trouble, and 1
want you to hep me out. You
knew Mr.. Norval, believer"
"Certainly, l knew him well-he
is particular friend of mind; but
why do you use the past tense ?"
"Are you not aware that he is
dcad2"
dead is it possible?"
"Yes, hc dicd yesterday"
SIS there any suspicion connected
with his death ?"
"Nonc at all ; he has been ailing
for some time. He died Of disease
of the heart. A post norton exam
nation has settled that question sat
isfactorily. You are aware, perhaps
that was his lawyer, and you also
know the terms on which he lived
with his son. About three month:
ago, Mr.. Norval sent for me to MAKE
his will. AS I have before said, ht
had been in failing health for somt
time past, and did not know how
soon he might be called away from
this earthly scene. drew up hi
will a requested; by its provision
Mary was made an heiress, a small
pension payable at certain interval
being only left to his son. This will
q was properly signed and attested.
"Excuse me for interrupting you,
said 1, "but was Mr.. Charles Norva
!, cognizant of the provisions of hi
. fathers will2"
"Not that l am aware Of bu
now YOU come to mention it, l dis
tinctly remember at the time
- witnessing it, sudden rustling wa
heard at one end of the apartmen
" = and q door was heard to close, br
, no notice was taken of the circun
: stances at the time"
- exactly that must have bee
the young man who was listening
49, for l have reasons to know he VIZ
= aware ofthe contents of his father
- will"
N And then I related the convers
a. ton had overheard between MAJ
and Charles Norval.
h. "This may be very important
Iv said M, as soon as I had conclu
" ed "but let me conclude what
Dr have to say. The will l had draw
up was confided to my care. pla
i ed it in an envelope and locked
70 in my private desk. The nome
heard of his death opened n
! desk and took out the envelope
which had placed the will. Jud
or of my surprise and horror when
. found it to contain only blal
~ sheet ofpaperl"
7 "a blank sheet of paper T
nm will had been abstracted, then ?"
ay Exactly. When 1 made the d
use covery l was thunder struck.
ng could neither speak nor act. I sa
down into seat utterly prostrat
IAN both mind and body. After a
IN tie time I somewhat recovered
faculties, and then began to tt
the over in my own mind the b
course for me to pursue under
rue circumstances. Fortunately, l