Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-04-25

the steps, eud the twain hurried away with
out attempting to continue the converse
ton. .s.ssa-s
81 should like to know what brings that
sneaking lawyer here just now" said
Fingal after they had passed into the road.
"fhe Captain employs him, evidently"
Evidently, and-but the schemes Of
that man must be thwarted. Ihave learned
something Of the utmost importance during
the last few days. I think that scoundrel
will hear something drop before he is many
days older"
ssWhat haye you planneda /"
''This, to place detective in the house In
the person Of Lura Joyce" Itttk
'Then you have seen her, and know that
she stall l,vessn Ti0 ssil -
"I have She will help us to thwart the
evil Captain and save the Penroys. OF
course, Grace can not be deceived by him
further
ssNo. have found her true as steel, and
determined to assert her rights"
In the meantime Captain Starbright and
Seekmore Gripes met on the veranda- The
Captain saw that in the face of his lawyer
that told him to expect good news.
''The will has been found"
This, then, was the good news that brought
Mr.. Gripes so swiftly to Lone Hollow.
The two men consulted for a short time on
the veranda. 90
"Mrs. Penroy has not yet attempted to
carry out her threat proceeded the Cap
tain, after short consultation. "Would it
not be best for you to show her the will and
explain the situations 1t may save consid-
cradle trouble in the future"
"You are right, Captain" agreed the
lawyer. ST will see Mrs. Penroy. Let US
hope that she may be sensible. In any
event she can only cause delay and trouble,
without affecting the result. am satisfied
now that she had nothing to do with stealing
the will. 1t was simply the act of a common
thief for the hope of reward"
This was keen relief to Captain Star
bright, who had no idea that the woman
who had returned the will to Lawyer Gripes
was Mother CABRERA, who he supposed many
miles away by this time.
Mrs. Penroy had just taken sniff from
her gold snuff-box when Seekmore Gripes
was announced.
81 am come, madam" he said, ip his
keen, buslness-like voice, "to seek an adj
justment of the affairs of your late la
mented father. The will that I had the
honor Of drawing before Mr.. V.ndible died,
and which was left in my care, has not
been yet read to the heirs at law. The delay
has been unavoidable, but I am sure you
will overlook it, since find the business
affairs Of the deceased in a somewhat mixed
condition.
He caressed his knee with the back Of his
hand, and regarded distant object
fxedly, his bald head moving up and down
as he talked. When he paused she made
no reply, and then he drew forth large
envelope and proceeded to unfold its con.
tents. u.
'sThis is the last will and testament Of
your lamented father"
"I thought he left no WILL" Mrs. Penroy
interrupted at this point. ct seems little
strange that so many weeks have passed
without its being produced.
81 can explain that satisfactorily" pro-
ceeded Mr.. Gripes. ''You will please
listen to the reading Of the will"
She made no objection, and so he read the
document which left the Vandible million
to Grace Penroy, provided that she married
Clinton Starbright, and lived to reach her
majority. In case of her death before COM
ing Of age, or her refusal to become Mrs.
Starbright, then the property reverted to
the Captain.
It will be remembered that the dying old
millionaire was not aware of the clause re.
garding Grace's marriage.
Although Mrs. Penroy was not one Of the
brightest women in the world, this clause
in the will at once aroused her suspicious.
She believed she saw a chance to break the
will, even should she fail to prove that the
signature was forgery. She was COM
pletely out with Captain Starbright now,
and determined on securing the wealth left
by her father for herself.
'sDoes Grace know of the contents of that
paper" asked the widow, nervously partak-
ing of pinch of snuff.
'tNot yet. expect to read it to her at
once"
'Your manner of proceeding seems to me
extraordinary" asserted Mrs. Penroy. 81
shall not submit to be disinherlted by a
forged will-''
s'Madam, have care" uttered Mr.
Gripes. warningly.
i sit is a forgery, and I can prove it," reit-
Grated the faded lady with nervous en-.
phasis.
MADAM, would advise you to proceed
in sensible manner. So far as am con-
cerned have no personal interest in this
matter, but drew up this document in .
legal manner, and witnessed the signature
of Morgan Vandible. 1t can not be broken on
any such ground as you imagine. OF course
you are able to make trouble and much
cost, without result to yourself. It was
we'll understood that the old gentleman
meant to leave all his property to his
granddaughter, this is susceptible Of
proof"
"Iknow that paper is a forgery" inter
rupted Mrs. Penroy, becoming excited and
warm Il will not submit to be robbed by
OdpL<3lu OtdIUIiSAt S3uO al 0VoEICAOO o La w
yer"
Then she flounced up and began to pace
the room.
s'No, sir'' cried the excited woman, paus-
ing at length in front Of the lawyer, and
shaking her bony hand within an inch OF
his hooked nose. Il will not submit to
being robbed of my Inheritance by you and
the Captain. This property is mine, and
will fight for my rights to the death. Don't
you dare attempt to probate that will I
can prove that the name of Vandible was
forged to it, and that will ruin you and the
Captain both.''
q Such proof would indeed ruin them.
SeeEmore Gripes made no further at
tempt to concihate the angry woman, but
rose and said:
- This paper will be advertised for pro
bate tomorrow. and hope you will see the
folly of attempting to break it, before the
three weeks public notice is up"
Then he went from the room to meet Cap
tain Starbright, who was waiting his COM
ing most anxiously. The lawyer related how
Mrs. Penroy had received his wellmeant
advice.
ssCan it possible that she knows whereof
she asserts 2" queried the Captain. uneasily.
ssI think not. It is barely possible, how
ever, that the young lady made q discovery
when she rushed in on US that fatal night
-