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

CHAPTER XXI
THE Lawyers PRIZE.
Seekmore Gripes sat alone in his private
Office one warm day when visitor was
announced 1t proved to be Captain Star
bright. OF course the lawyer realized
that his client had come with reference TO
the missing will.
81 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. cts most puzzling
case, indeed. l never saw any thing like
it during my long legal experience,
never"
sWhat would you advised"
'The service of a detective, perhaps"
The Captain corrugated his brows and
looked troubled. as well as thoughtful.
II have but little faith in detectives" he
finally said. II have a suspicion that
could point out the person who is at the
bottom of the theft.'
ssWelln
''Mrs. Martha Penroy."
'sWho inherits in case no will is found -
Certainly"
'sDid 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 daughter"
al might have said all Of that" returned
the Captain. ut was true four weeks since,
but now"
"And now?"
Snow q 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. s'She
doesn't seem to be the weak creature you
Imagined"
Ear from It. Something must be done
ct once or am ruined"
The Captain seemed really pale and con-
cerned. Seekmore Gripes regarded the
floor intently, and slowly polished his knee
. with the back of his hand.
Its peculiar case, as sand BEFORE -
finally proceeded the lawyer. ''There GER
tainly 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 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 else?"
No one in particular" finally answered
Starbright. II 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
lngs for settlement of the estate in her
favor. She has threatened it"
For some time Mr.. Gripes remained lost
in thought.
consult some legal authority he finally
said. ''If you could manage to send her 70
me every thing would be Well"
POSSIBLY might do that"
II think that would be the surest wav ont
of the difficulty" said Mr.. Gripes.
The Captain came to his feet
81 viii endeavor to send her to you.n he
said, slowly. First, however, I 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 out short further
speech. Mr.. Gripes came to his feet
II will call again tomorrow"
And then Captain Starlight left the
place, unheeding the presence of the vailed
woman who passed in as he went out
Mr.. Gripes, the great lawyer. I 'spose,'
said-the woman, as she confronted the law
yer. &@s 81 s4& IS
"My name Is. Gripes, but can not take
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. r
She made no move to be seated -. Il =
give got case 'at you may be willing
to look at anyhow" proceeded the woman.
81 reckon you're Cap'n Starbright's law
yer, hain't you!"
"He sometimes employs me-" r +
ssHain't you'n him got into trouble lately
kind of a muss Like over the Lone Hollow
property" .'4--
ssMadam, please come at another time. -
grunted Mr.. Gripes, with manifest impar
6ence. -
.Mebbe, now, you wouldn't give some
thing for this"
She drew from the folds of her dress g
large legal envelope and held it toward the
lawyer. He took it mechanically, drew
forth its contents, folded sheet Of lega
cap, and then, as he glanced at the first
page, started and stared at the woman n
evident perplexity and surprise. ~T a
Wuth any thinga" qusstionedt the woman
something. Where did you find it,"
I'm the woods, on the ground, where &
crazy feuow'd dropped it, fur see him look
IN at it putty close jest afore picked II
up"
4r. Gripes thrust his hand into his poke,
end drew forth several pieces of silver. He
held these toward the woman.
She lifted her vail then and regarded the
Weaxen-faced lawyer with contemptuou.
saeer We have seen this woman before
Mother CABRERA. Of Hangman's Gulch. She
had purcaaseda new outfit, hnweveE and
seemed less filthy than when We LAST looket
qpon her parchment countenance: