The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-01-07

now came forward ana SAID, slowly ana
distinctly:
Because you took it out OF the escritoirc
yonder when my brother was dying"
Mrs. Ockdyne half rose from her scat at
this startling accusation, but dropped back
into II again, as she realized that the occa-
sion referred to was when she absi ractcd
Allan Graham's letters.
~ never saw the will, and know nothing
about it," was all she could say in her agi-
satiou and alarm.
"Did you burn IT, madam, in your room
that duy when interrupted you with the
news that your husbands last moments
had arrivedw said William Ockdyne, lean
ing forward and addressing her in harsh
and menacing tone.
Ill. No. Certainly not ~ gasped
the poor lady, fairly overwhelmed with this
fresh accusation.
"One OF the servants can prove that you
left your husbands bedside when you
thought you were unperceived, and came
in here with your husbands keys in your
hand. Another can corroborate my cvi.
dence that Immediately afterwurd you
burnt document in the fire in your room.
Some OF the ashes have been collected and
will be put in evidence" continued her
brothcr-in-law, evidently seeking to con-
vincc her of the hopelessness of denial.
''The case Is quite complete" added the
lawyer in self.satisfied tone. probate
will be granted on this draft, upon the
strength of the evidence-the strong evil
dence-which we can produce to prove the
destruction OF the original"
what do you suggest could have been
my object in destroying the will, supposing
l were capable of doing such thing" in.
OIlirpl Mrc nplytynn n hor pro
ence of mind sufficiently to be conscious of
the necessity of realizing her posi- ion.
''The motive is obvious" replied Mr.. Bo-
gle, with Il smile. If your husband had
died intestate, you would have been enti.
tied, as his widow, roughly speaking, to
half his property instead OF e2,0O0 only"
The significance of this reply had crush
Ing effect upon the poor lady, whose per-
ceptions, naturally far from dull, were rcn.
dered doubly acute by the danger Of her
position. She realized that the very act of
proving her innocence 1.-THE monstrous ac-
cusation brought against her would reveal
the secret which she had fondly hoped was
now forever buried-the story OF her sup
posed shame. II brought to trial, it mul.
tered not whether she might be found in.
nocent or guilty of the principal charge; in
either case the miserable story which had
wrecked her life would be dragged forth
and published to the world.
"You doubtless perceive, madam, that
your attempted fraud will not avail you.
The destruction of the will is crime In
itself, which renders you liable believe,
to pen al servitude," resumed William Ocls.
dync, glancing at the lawyer. 81 am un-
willing, however," he added, "for the sake
of my brothers. memory, and for the sake
of f,t,, t,,t,
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 to
retain possession of his property, which
am entitled to under the terms of mis- WILL
! will be content to let the matter rest"
Having said this, William Ockdyne re
sumed his former position upon the hearth
rug, while the lawyer proceeded TO explain
the details of the proposed arrangement
The poor lady's first impulse was to accept
the conditions offered. but the sense of JUS
tice to herself fortunately restrained her.
81 Will consider your proposal" she said
tremulously, because, so far as the money
Is concerned, l am absolutely Indifferent
But must have time for reflection"
"How long do you requiref' said he,
brother-in-l law, reluctantly.
"A week." said Mrs. Ockdync, rising
with dignity from her place at tho table.
William Ockdyne exchanged Glances
with the lawyer, and seemed on the POM
of demonstrating with her; but apparently
he changed his mind, for he permitted HI.
sisler-iI-luw TO retire from the room with
out another word.
AS matter of fact however, Mrs
Ockdyne had already resolved to compy
with his demand sooner than incul
tho odium and scandal involved in public
trial 1t was absolutely true, as she hac
stated, that she was indifferent to the pc
cuniary aspect OF the questions; for she wa.
not an avaricious women, and she possessed
few thousand pounds Of her own. 1t was
only her proper pride and self-respec
which had suggested to her to take time fol
consideration. 1t was impossible to doubt
from her brother-in-law's deneanor, thai
lie seriously believed that she was guilty o.
the charge he brought against her; anc
this led poor Mrs. Ockdyne to wonder un
easily whether she could really have de-
strOyed the will. Allan Graham's letter.
formed bulky packet, and it had certainl,
not occurred to her to go through them il
order to ascertain that there was no othel
paper tied up with them. Her husband.
have been characteristic of his brutal,
vindictive disposition if he had placed thu
letters with his will, US e sort Of grim ex
planation to her of the cause Of tho meagel
provision no had made for her. This idea
far-fetchc.s as it might have appeared tt
her in calmer moments, nevertheless tended
to strengthen her decision.
Having arrived at this conclusion. Mrs
Ockdyne was almost relieved at receivins
second visit from her brother-in-law, wht
called later in the evening, to urge her tt
sign the necessary documents, waiving hel
legal claims, without delay. He had brough
the papers with him and Mrs. Ockdyn,
could not Withstand tho temptation of dis
posing Of the whole miserable business
without the worry OF further harassing re
fiections. William Ockdyne's manner
moreover, though peremptory and over
bearing, was nevertheless more concilia
tory than it had been earlier in the day
and he eviuced desire, which poor Mrs
Ockdyne in her trouble appreciated, t.
spare her feelings by avoiding any un
pleasant illusions. She had actually takel
up her pen, for the purpose OF signin,
away. her interest in her husbands prop
erty, when maid servant entered tn
room, and rather mysterlously requested
her to come outside Mt once
William Ockdyne impatiently asked he
to sign the papers before she left, but hi
sister-in-law, resenting his interference
laid the pen aside and rose in response t.
the servants summons. Outside the doc
the glrl whispered that gentleman was il
the dining-room, who would not give hi
name when he heard that she was engage,
with Mr.. William Oclsdyne, but desired Il
speak to her forthwith.
Considerably mystitiel and voUuol,