Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-05-30
CHAPTER XXI,

THE LAWYER 5 PRIZE.
Seekmore Gripes sat alone in his private
Office one warm day when a visitor was
announced. 1t proved TO be Captain Star
bright. Of course the lawyer realized
that his client had conc with reference to
the missing will
Il have heard nothing with regard to the
lost legal document said the LAWYER,
smoothing his knee with the back of his
hand while he talked. Its most pulling
case, indeed. l never saw any thing like
1t during my long legal experience,
never
''Nhat would you advised"
The service of a detective, perhaps"
The Captain corrugated his brows and
looked troubled. as well as thoughtful
Il have but little faith in detectives" he
finally said. Il have suspicion that l
could point out the person who is at the
bottom of the theft
''Well!"
'Mrs. Martha Penroy."
"Who inherltS in case no will is found"
Certainly"
odd not understand You to say some
time since that you had perfect confidence
in this woman and that in fact she was
anxious for you to marry her daughterr'
Il might have said all of that" returned
the Captain. ''It was true four weeks since,
but now-'
'Now u great change has come over the
woman. She insists that no will was
made"
Indeed
"She has gone so far as to order me out
of the house as an interloper."
''That is bad" agreed the lawyer ''She
doesn't seem to be the weak creature you
imagined.''
Far from 1t. Something must be done
at once or l am ruined"
The Captain seemed really pale and con-
.cerned. Seeknore Gripes regarded the
floor intently, and slowly polished his knee
with the back of his hand.
ats peculiar case, as / said BEFORE"
finally proceeded the lawyer. There GER
tainly was a will made, and it is exceedingly
annoying that it can not be produced
Time may aid US. If this woman has
secured the will through a second party it is
evident that she has made sure of its de-
.struction."
"True. Yet am not sure that she has
had hand in the theft"
"Do you suspect any one else2"
"No one in particular" finally answered
Starbright Il have enemies, however,
and it is possible that some Of them are at
tempting to ruin me. would give ten
thousand dollars to get hold of that will
once more. Mrs. Penroy knows that no
will has been probated. She imagines none
was made, and unless something is done at
once to prevent, she will institute proceed
ings for a settlement of the estate in her
favor. She has Threatened it.'
For some time Mr.. Gripes remained lost
in thought.
.'She will undoubtedly visit the city to
consult some legal authority,''i he finally
said 'If you could manage to send her to
me every thing would be we'll"
0Posslbly might do that
~ think that would be the surest way out
of the difficulty" said Mr.. Gripes.
The Captain came to his feet.
81 will endeavor to send her to you," he
said, slowly. "First, however,, shall an
nouuce to her that the will is IN court ready
to be probated, and, if possible, prevent her
visiting the city at all, that is, for the
present"
A clang of the Office bell cut short further
speech. Mr. Gripes came to his feet
81 will call again tomorrow"
And then Captain Starbright left the
place, unheeding the presence OF the vailed
woman who passed in as he went out.
"Mr. Gripes, the great lawyer, 'spose,"
said the woman, as she confronted the law
yer.
"My name IS Gripes, but can not take
any more cases just now," returned he,
noting with keen precision that his visitor
was poorly clad, and evidently from the
lower walks of life. He was courteous
enough to show her a chair, however.
She made no move to be seated.
1--WE got case AT you may be willing
to look at anyhow" proceeded the woman.
IS I reckon you're Cap'n Starbright's law
yer, hain't yous"
HE sometimes employs me-"
ssHain't you'n him got into trouble lately
kind of muss like over the Lone Hollow
property?" :,
..Madam, please como at another time"
grunted Mr.. Gripes, with manifest lnpa-
thence.
'.Mebbe, now, you wouldn't give some
thing for this.''
She drew from the folds of her dress
large legal envelope and held it toward the
LAWYER. He took it mechanically. drew
forth its contents, folded sheet of legal
can. and then, as he glanced at the first
mace. started and stared at the woman IN
evident per plexity and surprise
s.Vuth any thlnc?n cues toned the woman |
"Something. Where did you find it,"
..In the woods, on the ground, where |
crazy fellow'd dropped it, fur see MN look !
in at it putty close jest afore picheo II
up"
''Indeed''
Mr.. Gripes thrust his hand into his pocket ,
and drew forth several pieces of silver. he
held these toward the woman.
She lifted her vail then and regarded the
weazen-faced lawyer with q contemptuous
sneer. We have seen this woman before
Mother CABRERA of Hangman's Gulch. She
had purchased new outfit, however, and
seemed less filthy than when we Last looked