The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-01-09

Alice will be heir, or. at least, her
mother will, being the nearest of kin.
Yes, yes-I could throw over the old
cat and marry Alice. But stay! how
do know but that Melissa, If she be-
comes the heir, may take it into her
head to throw me Overt Old maids,
when they come into possession of
property, generally prefes to keep it
to themselves, and Melissa Judd Is as
cunning and as avaricious as mag
pie. 1t will be necessary to get
sure grip on her. A secret marriage?
No, no! That would be giving her grip
on me. Breach-of-promise suit? Aha!
There must be letters-letters to pro-
duce in evidence. Ha! ha! I'll have her
there" . n
Here Mr.. Peck smiled exultantly,
and briskly rubbed his hands together.
But the next moment the smile van-5
ished.
Here, again! She will have my let.
tiers asweil, and could bring : suit as
easily as 1. I've heard her say that
she never destroys letter. - she gets
80 few. How shall find away out Of
thisp"
He resumed his musing, unconcern-
eddy watching a fly which was gyrating
about the spiders web. Presently the
spider made a spring, and at the same
moment Mr.. Peck brought down his
hand smartly upon the desk before
him, with an exultant chuckle.
"CaRtal! Hs!he!. That will settle
the whole matter and make all smooth.
By George, I'll do it at once. There's
no time to be lost, since the old woman
may go off at any moment. He! he!
what pleasant little surprise it will
b for Melissa Judd!'
ThereuponM Mr. Peck reached his hat,
and, crossing the street to druggist,
presently returned with several tiny
parcels Of powders whichhe proceeded
. carefully pour into small ink bottle.
As II forthe purpose of an easier identi-
Acation, or, perhaps, to screen the con-
tents, he pasted over this bottle pa
per wrapper of a peculiar notified null
berry hue. Then, seating himself at
the open window for the sake Of the
failing light. he dipped pen into the
bottle and commenced making expert
mental fourishes and inscriptions on a
sheetof paper in a large and bold hand;
MISS Melissa Judd. Present. Dear
est Melissa. Your devoted lesr. ~!
Melissa Peck"
Having arrived at this latter finale,
Mr.. Peck held the paper off At arm 8
length and surveyed it with look .ol
great disgust. His back was at the
window, and he did not perceive that
a thin and wiry female had paused on
the sidewalk without, and with a pair
of keen black eyes was taking in
every thing at glance-Mr. Peck,
mulberry bottle and writing included.
She started at sight of this last, and
uttered an involuntary gasp, which she
instantly converted into tremulous
"ahem!" Mr. Peck started, and hasti
ly thrust the paper and bottle into ar
obscure little pigeon-hole above his
desk.
"Ahem!" said Miss Judd, puckerine
her lips into constrained smile
while an unwonted color suffused hel
sallow face. 'In the Office so Ions
after business hours, Mr.. Peck?
should think you would be glad to ge
away as soon as possible"
, Mr.. Peck sighed, and believed h,
was getting fond of solitude-or, rath
err, getting tired of it. He began t.
, find his room at the boarding
rather lonesome, and without any o
the comforts and pleasures of home
and he was never anxious to return
, to il.
, "Ahem! l was on my way there
l mean to Miss Spicer's to leave you ;
message from Mrs. Jollifer. She wish
t es to see you at once"
, "Ahp"
Q Ambrose knew from long experience,
/ what such a message pOrtended. Fo
{ some time he had been out of his aunt
Y good graces, and now she had had
A failing OUT with Melissa, and in con
; sequence was about to reinstate him il
: her favor and make new will.
n As the two walked together down
:, retired side street toward the Jollife
h House, Mr.. Peck took occasion to in
form his fair companion that he eS
/ pected to leave in a few days on brie
/ business trip. There was somethin
# which he had long wished to say to hel
e and before he went he would leave
e letter, which he hoped she would al
a swer at once, directing to the address
a he would give. And all that evenin
e Miss Judd found herself so agitate
d and bewildered by this new and total
e unexpected experience in her life, tn;
a she actually forgot to air Mrs. Joll
:, fer's sheets before the fire, and
a warm over the cold chicken-pie fe
If Fido's supper No wonder that the il
g used old lady accused her of intention,
t. neglect and of wishing to see herse
@ and Fido in their graves in order tn,
o she might enjoy her expected legac.
e And no wonder that she that vel
r, night wrote new will, constitutin
n MIR. Peck and Fido her sole heirs ar
is legatees.
Y After this some weeks passed
d which things went on as usual, Il