Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-28

myself. Colonel Parker--e entirely ut
your service and that Of these charming
ladies'"
The ladies referred to allowed their
ewes to rest with evident propossession
on the insinuating stranger. "Ah--a
soldier" said Don Vincente.
formerly" said the American light
ly-"at present lawyer--the counsel
OF Don jose"
A sudden rigor OF suspicion stiffened
the company, tho ladies withdrew their
eyes the priest and the Sepuividas ex-
changed glances.
Come" said Colonel Parker, with
apparent Inconsistencies OF the effect
of his disclosure, let us begin frankly
| You have | believe, some anxiety In re-
gard to the mental condition OF Don
! JOSE"
." We believe him TO be mad" said
Padre Felipe promptly, irresponsible,
| possessed !"
"That is your opinion-good," said
the lawyer. quietly.
"And ours, too" clamored the party,
without doubt
Good" returned the lawyer, with
perfect cheerfulness. "As his relations
YOU have no doubt had superior oppor-
tunities for observing. his condition. l
understand, also, that you may think it
necessary TO have him legally declared
non, cOBipos-a proceeding which you
are aware might result In the incarcera-
ton OF our distinguished friend in mad
! house"
"Pardon, Senor," interrupted Don
Maria proudly, "you do not comple-
bend the family. When a Sepulvida is
visited of God we do not ask the Gov
eminent to confne him like a criminal.
We protect him in his own house from
the consequences Of his frenzy"
every true" continued Colonel Par
| ker with unalterable good humor " but
I was only sbout to say that there might
be conflicting evidence of his condition.
For instance, our friend has been here
three days. In that time he has had
three interviews with three individuals
under singular circumstance. Colonel
Parker then briefly recounted the cpl
sodes of the landlord, the gambler and
Miss Jenkinson and the poetess, as they
had been related to him. "Yet," he
continued, call but one of these indi-
viduals are willing toswear that they not
only believe Don Jose perfectly sane.
but endowed with a singularly sound
! Judgment In fact, the testimony OF
Mr.. Hamlin and Miss Jenkinson Is re-
markably clear on that subject"
The company exchanged a supercili-
J Il. A 4 M ~ 4 Manor
Advocate" said Don Nincente compass
| sionately, "that this is but conspiracy
to avail themselves of our relatives
weakness OF necessity they find him
sane who benefits them.
81 have thought Of that, and am
glad to hear you say 80" returned the
lawyer still more cheerfully, "for your
prompt opinion emboldens me to be at
once perfectly frank with you. Briefly,
then, Don Jose has summoned me here
to make final disposition OF his pro-
perty. In the carrying out OF certain
theories of his-wbich it is not my pro-
vince to question-he has resolved upon
comparative poverty for himself as best
fitted for his purpose, and to employ his
wealth solely for others. In fact, OF all
his vast possessions be retains for him
self only an income suficien. for the
bare necessaries Of life"
"And you have done this? they
asked in one voice.
"Not yet, " said the lawyer.
blessed San Antonio-we have come
in time" calculated Dona Carmen.
"Another day and it would have been
too late-twas an inspiration OF the
Blessed Innocents themselves, said
Dona Maria. "Can you longer doubt
that this is not the widest madness 2"
said Father Felipe, with flashing eyes.
"Yet, returned the lawyer, caressing
his heavy beard with q meditstiye smile,
1.-The ingenious fellow actually instanced
thevows of your Ol0n order. reverend sir,
as On example in support OF his theory.
But to be brief. Conceiving, then, that
his holding of property was mere acct
dent of heritage, not admitted by him
unworthy his acceptance, and relic OF
supersttious ignorance -"
This is the very sacrilege OF satanic
prepossession," broke in the priest, In
dignantly.
He therefore" continued the lawyer
composedly, "makes over and reverts
the whole of his possessions, with the
exceptions L have stated, to his family
and the Church.