The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-08

ter, so We VIII ulspcnSe with II on the
present occasion. l imagine. you have
come 10 see me about the sale OF the
Holcombe property, enormously suppos-
| ing that have some interest in the mat
| ter. You are mistaken have none
whatever. OF course, am indebted to
my mother for the betrayal of my where
abouts. No one else can have informed
you. She urged me to communicate with
you when read in the papers that Mont
rose was to be sold. am sorry now that
| did not, for il would have saved you the
trouble and expense of an utterly useless
trip"
He had evidently made himself up for
this interview. His calmness of feature
was too palpably artificial, and his delivery
too purely mechanical. We were sitting
opposite each other ut a small pine table,
into which he had been jabbing his pen
knife nervously while talking
"What would you have said II you had
written?" asked.
THAT" he answered, as he took from
his breast pocket and laid open on the
table before me piece of paper on which
| he had written full and concise renuncia-
ton of any claim he might be supposed to
hold against the Ilolcombe estate. II was
signed Walter Frazer.
But that is not your own name, said,
putting my finger on the signature; ''you
were Mrs. Holcombes legally adopted heir,
and you cannot play fast and loose with an
act OF Legislature in any such fashion.
Moreover, Mrs. Holcombe has devised the
mapor-house and grounds Immediately adj
joining IL to her well-beloved son Frazer
in codicil written after your departure
from Crooked Creek. II was her desire
that the name of Holcombe should be al
ways recognized as power in the neigh
borhood. Are you prepared to deal so
coldly and slightingly by your mothers
wishes?"
"My mother!" Helooked at me stead
lily for second, then dropped his head
with groan ON his folded arms.
eyes, your mother" | said quickly. fol-
lowing up my adyantage-"the woman
from whom you absorbed all your ideas of
right and wrong, of honor and dishonor;
the woman who taught you how TO de-
spise all that was low and despicable, and
whose wishes are entitled TO your respect
above and beyond that Of any othermortal;
your true mother, who guarded your in
terests carefully, even when you had left
her stunned and bewildered by your mex
plicable departure"
"Inexplicable to her-then-but not To
you.-now. You know all about ii.
knew you could only have found me by
first finding my mother" He was leaning
back in his chair then, and an inexpressibly
bitter look had come into his gloomy eyes.
Poor woman. She hoped to mend mat
ters by writing to you, but she has only
made them worse-far worse"
81 can't see it," said, impulsively lay,
| tNaaN ms hntN aNah a E0A Il u00
transcending my rights as simply lawyer
in this case; but--but-h Il all, whats
the use OF being afraid 10 speak out2 I've
been an inmate OF Montrose now fol
months. Old Scipio has been my almost
constant companion. SO, you See,
couldn't help hearing your story and-and
-" j watched him narrowly; IL Wa
Just possible might be going too far, and
my typical Southerner might deal with
me in some summary fashion. ~ know
Miss Matilda Ransom. | have been m
eyewitness Of her daily struggles with
poverty and her Incompatible heroisn. v
] paused, as much for = fresh supply OF
breath as anything els.
go on, he said hoarsely, and sat there
drinking in every word i said.
"And can't help thinking" said au
daciously, that II you would only 90 bach
and take your place as the head and owner
of Montrose, you might rent the plantation
: from the syndicate and make good living
from Il. And-and-Miss Ransom, unles,
I've read her all wrong, is Just the sort o.
woman YOU would dare make clear
breast 10, with tho expectation Of being
helped, and strengthened, and under
stood"
"You have not read her wrong" h,
] said with that inexprcssibly sad smile o
his, and for a second he looked M II hi'
: chilled soul was baslSing in the bright pos
ibility had conjured up. Then he ut
tered the word impossible" in ton,
that wrnng my heart, and the clouds set
tied over his face heavier than ever.
''She does not know about my mothers
letter, does she? She believes am dead
does she not2'' he asked eagerly.
III don't know what she believes. She
{ does not talk about her own affairs, Every
one but Scipio has given you up for dead
Q | presume"
'Poor old scip! Honest, faithful ole
9 Scip II would be worth great deal Il
me to look into his face once more"
D There isno good reason why you SHOULD
not, ! said briskly. .I
you don't-know--w hat--you-are-
talking about, young man. What hay,
o done must stand. II cannot DO undone
. You arc only wasting your time here.
will rcnouncc all claims 30 the property II
the name Of Frazer Holcombe II must be
and shall have to trust 10 Nannic's gen
c erusity to keep my secret. AS iar asevery
body else is concerned, they will be jus
=, where they were before. am dead 10 nj
inienis and purposes"
. "And you can settle down." | said, will
n bursi Of themes impairment indignation
a "to stand behind countcrina hole like tn
one found you IN this morning, selling iii
trumpery 20 little darkics-you. with you
appearance, your strength, your talents
. your requirements ltsprppostcrous, yol
!. know" TO this TRADE / ubjoincd n splut
tering apology, for could see the angr,
blood mounting 10 his thin temples.
d al suppose you mean Il all kindly" IL
n said with a sort Of doggcd patience tina
was much harder 10 witness than the hot
!. test wrath, land that's the main thing.
" know how you all talk at the north.
n know exactly the sort Of criticism that
expended upon the men who were youn
d. when the war closed. There isn't maj
among you but what thinks he could hay
d managed better than we've done. Their
u nothing easier than criticism. But com,
let us 20 over the list Of my disqualified
tons Won have just given. Appearance
has nothing whatever 10 do with u, unless
indeed, might go north and turn q ic'
n honest pennies 10y posing 10 some artist q
" n model for Lazarus nj the gate Of Diypi