News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-01-12

ed With TINS 1feSn accusation
} "One of the servants can prove that
J you left your husbands bedside when
you thought you were unperceived, and
came in hero with your husbands KEYS
in your hand. Another can corroborate
my evidence that Immediately afterward
you burnt document in the fire in your
room. Some of the ashes have been
collected and will be put in evidence" -"
continued her brother-in in law; evidently
seeking to convince her of the hopeless
ness of denial.
''The case is quite complete" added
the lawyer, in self-satisfed tone.
"Probate will be granted on this draft,
upon the strength of the evidence-the
strong evidence we can produce
to prove the destruction of the original" +"
"What do you suggest could have
been my object in destroying the will,
supposing | were capable of doing such
a things" inquired Mrs. Ockdyne, re-
covering her presence of mind suffici-
emily to be conscioIls. p the iiietneeessity of
realizing her position
''The motive is obvious" replied Mr..
Boyle, with a smile eff your husband
had died intestate, you would have been
entitled, as his widow, roughly speak
ing to half his property instead of
"92000 only"
The significance of this reply had
crushing effect upon the poor lady,
whose perceptions, naturally far from
dull, were rendered doubly acute by the
danger of her position. She realized
that the very act of proving her inno-
cence of the monstrous accusation
brought her would reveal the secret
which she had fondly hoped was now
forever buried-the story of her sun
posed shame. If brought to trial, it
mattered not whether she might be
found innocent or guilty of the princi-
pal charge; in either case the miserable
story which had wrecked her life would
be dragged forth and published to the
world.
"7ou doubtless perceive madam; that
your attempted fraud will not avail you.
! The destruction of the will is crime in
itself, which renders you liable, I be-
lieve, to penal servitude, " resumed Will
liam Ockdyne, glancing at the lawyer.
81 am unwilling, however" he added,
''for the sake of my brothers memory,
and for the sake of our family name,
which you have the right to bear, that
scandal should be caused. If, under
Mr.. Bogle's directions, you will sign the
necessary documents to enable me to
| administer to my brothers. estate and
retain possession of his property which
| am entitled to under the terms of his
will, I will be content to let the matter |
rest"
Having said this, William Ockdyne
resumed his former position upon the
hearthrug, while the lawyer proceeded
to explain the details of the proposed
arrangement. The poor lady's first i'm
pulse was to accept the conditions
offered, but the sense of justice to her
self fortunately restrained her.
81 will consider your proposal" she
said tremulously, "because, SO far as
the money is concerned, 1 am absolutely |
Indifferent. But must have time for
reflection"
''How long do you require3' said her
brother-in-law, reluctantly.
IA week, said Mrs. Ockdyne, rising
With dignity from her place at the table. |
William Oekdyne exchanged glances
with 5he 'lswyor, lssST seemed ON the I
point of remonstrathg with her; but |
apparently he changed his mind, for he |
permitted his sister in-law to retire from
the room without another word.
As, g matter of fact, however, Mrs.
Ockdyne had already resolved to COM
ply with his demand sooner than incur |
the od1um and : -andal involved in o
public trial. 1t was absolutely true, as
she had stated that she was indifferent |
to the pecuniary aspect of the question;
for she was not an avaricious women,
and she possessed a few thousand |
pounds of her own. 1t was only her
proper pride and self-respect which
had suggested to her to take time for
consideration. It was impossible to
doubt, from her brother in-laws' de-
meanor, that he seriously believed
that she was guilty of the charge he
brought against her; and this led poor
Mrs. Ockdyne to wonder uneasily wheth-
er she could really have destroyed the
will. Allan Graham's letters formed a
bulky packet, and it had certainly not
occurred to her to go through them in
order to ascertain that there was no 9TH
er paper tied up with them. Her hus-
bands will was short document, and
it would have been characteristic of his
brutally viIdictiye disposition if he had
placed the letters with his will, as sort
of grim explanation to her of the cause
of the meagre provision he had made for
her. This idea, far-fetched as it might
have appeared to her in calmer mo-
ments, nevertheless tended to strengthen
her decision.
Haling- arrived at this conclusion,
Mrs. Ockdyne was almost relieved at
receiving d second visit from her broth
er-in-law, who called later in the even
ing, to urge her to sign the necessary
documents, waiving her legal claims,
without delay. He had brought the
papers with him, and Mrs. Ockdyne
could not withstand the temptation of
disposing of the whole miserable bust
ness without the worry of further har-
asslng reflections. William Ockdyne's
manner, moreover, though peremptory
and overbearing was nevertheless moro
conciliatory than it had been in the day,
and he evinoed a desire, which poor
Mrs. Ockdyne in her trouble apprecia-
ted, to spare her feelings by avoiding
tually taken her pen for the purpose of
signing away her -lnterest-in her hus-
bands property, when o maid servant
entered the room, and rather mysteri-
ously requested her to come outside at
once.
William Ockdyne impatiently asked
her to sign the papers before she left,
but his sister-in-law, resenting his inter
ference, laid the pen aside and rose in
response to the servants summons.
Outside the door the girl whispered that
n gentleman was in the dinine-room,
who would not give his name when he
heard that she was engaged with Mr..
William Ockdyne, but desired to speak
to her forthwith.
Considerably mystifed and vaguely
alarmed, Mrs. Ockdyne proceeded to
the dinlng-room, where she found await
ing her queer looking. osy-cheeked,
gray haired, old gentleman, who, ad-
vancing toward her with n paternal air,
held out his hand and said his name
was Parchment.
81 am deeply grieved, nv dear
madam, that, owing to absence from
town | did not hear of your husbands
death till my return to day. His strict
injunctions were that should he ever be
suddenly taken i'll, which he seemed to
apprehend, L was Immediately to COM
munlcate with you. Hearing from the
servant that you were engaged with Mr..
William Ockdyne, l thought it advisa-
BILE to ask you to step out and see me-"
he added, confidentially.
'May L inquire the abiect of your
visit2" said Mrs. Ockdyne, staring at
him.
'Your husband called upon me, my
dear madam, few months back on the
subject of his will. He showed me the
will which his former solicitor, n Mr..