The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-04-19

shall have money enough to make you al
independent" answered Captain Star
bright
CHAPTER xii
THE LAWYERS PRIZE.
Seekmore Gripes sat alone in bis privat
Office one warm day when . visitor wa
announced 1t proved to be Captain Star
bright OF course the lawyer realize.
that his client had come with reference t.
the missing will
81 have heard nothing with regard to tn,
lost legal document" said the lawyer
smoothing his knee with the back of hi
hand while he talked. "It's Almost puzzlne
case, indeed. l never saw any thing like
it during my long legal experience
never"
'What would you advised"
"The service of a detective, perhaps"
The Captain corrugated his brows anG
looked troubled, as well as thoughtful
81 have but little faith in detectives" hi
finally said. 81 have a suspicion that
could point out the person who is at the
bottom of the theft"
"Well!n
"Mrs. Martha Penroy"
"Whc inherits in case no will is found"
"Certainly"
odd l 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 daughterl"
Al might have said all Of that" returned
the Captain. at was true four weeks since,
but now"
Sand now?"
snow a great change has come over the
woman. She insists that no will was
made"
I 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 It Something must be done
at once or 1 am ruined"
The Captain seemed really pale and con-
cerned. Seekmore Gripes regarded the
floor intently, and slowly polished bis knee
with the back of his hand.
"It's a peculiar case, as said before"
finally proceeded the lawyer. There GER
taiuly was 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.n
"True. Yet am not sure that she has
had hand in the theft
"Do you suspect any one else?'
"No one in particular" finally answered
Starbright 81 have enemies, however,
and it is possible that some Of them are at
tempting to ruin ne. would give ten
thousand dollars TO get hold Of that will
once more. Mrs. Penroy knows that no
will has been probased. She iuagines none
was made, and unless something is done at
once to prevent, she will institute proceed
ings for 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 70
me every thing would be WELL"
"Posslbly might do that"
~ think that would be the surest way out
Of the difficulty" said Mr.. Gripes.
The Captain came TO his feet
81 viii endeavor 10 send her to you" he
said, slowly. First, however, / shall an
nounce to her that the will is m court ready
to be probated, and, if possible, prevent her
visiting the city at all, that is, for the
present"
A clang Of the once beh 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 chair, however.
She made no move to be seated
"Pve got case at you may be willing
70 look at anyhow" proceeded the woman.
" I reckon you're Cap'n Starbright's law
yer, hain't youa"
he sometimes employs me.n
SLANT you'n him got into trouble lately
kind of muss like over the Lore Hollow
property?"
s.Mssam, please come at another time,n
grunted Mr.. Gripes, with manifest impa-
Gence
"Mebbe, now, you wouldn't give some |
thing for this"
late legal envelope and held it toward the |
16HlcT nc tOOh IL uCSAdhito1&ss o2C" 1
forth its contents, folded sheet Of legal |
cap, and then, as he glanced at the first
page, started and stared at the woman m |
evident perplsxity and surprise
''Wuth any thing?" questioned the woman. |
Something. Where did you find lit"
SIN the woods, on the ground, where q
crazy fellow'd dropped it, fur see him look
IN at it putty close jest afore I picked it
up"
'Indeedr'
Mr.. Gripes thrust his hand into his pocket
md drew forth several pieces of silver. he
held these toward the woman.
She lifted her vail then and regarded The
weazen-faced lawyer with a contemptuous
soeer. We have seen tins woman before
Mother CABRERA Of Haneman's Gulch. She
md purchased new outfit, however, and
seemed less filthy than when we last looked
upon her parchment oouutenance.