The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-04-26

nave come between US, AUSTIN, SAID
Brace, as she leaned confidingly against his
thoulder and glanced up into his brave,
lark eyes.
There is perfect trust now, darling"
returned the young mechanic. 81 was to
blame entirely"
She stopped his lips with soft hand.
'Not word like that, Austin. l know
shat was hasty as well. Let it pass. I
have other troubles now"
''Other troubles, dear2"
"About poor grandpa's will"
"But why should that trouble you,
Sracel He left every thing to you, under
itand.n
"Wena'' as she hesitated and dropped
her honest gaze from his face, 81 am afraid
ihe will is not genuine"
SHOT geruinea What do you mean Pm
lure I've heard your grandfather say q
tcore of times, if l have once, that you
would have all his property when he was
Zone"
81 know, and believe that such was his
Intention" said Grace, in an unsteady
toice, "but-but he did not live to sign the
will"
"Who tells you thism demanded the
Deprive you of your rights, Grace, and you
Aust not submit to it
Why was he so earnest2 Was it possible
that sordid motive influenced him after
ala Grace permitted this thought to mar
aer happiness for moment only, then she
cast it from her as an unworthy reflection
On tie character of her noble lover.
Il have seen my grandfather's will,
Austin, and l do not dou BIT but what it con-
sains his true intentions" returned the
girl, after moments reflection; "yet even
f all is right, could not live up to the con-
iitions, should prefer death sooner"
"What are the conditioner
"That become the wife of Clinton Star
bright"
''Impossibler'
ut is true'
'.Whe showed this to your
Lawyer Gripes read it, and l have no
,eason to dispute the contents of the docu-
nent.n
''Then the will is false, would be willing
% swear to that" declared the young
nan, Indignantly. 'This Starbright is at
he bottom of a tremendous scheme. / can
,ot believe that Old Mr.. Vandible could
end himself 10 such wickedness If in his
light mind.''
''Great influence must have been brought
o bear if he did agree to that" said Grace.
SIN any event l shall renounce the fort
the"
elf the will holds good, who inherits,
With your refusal to marry the CaptainT
''Nr. Starbright"
tIthought so. You may depend upon 1T
hat it is put up Job that must not be per-
nltted to succeed. do not believe Morgan
Fandible ever signed such paper as that
knowingly"
''Re did not, am sure OF that" asserted
Grace
sThen the document is forgery"
81 fear So"
Grace then related the incidents of the
hight when her grandfather died, when she
-ushed into the room, thinking she heard
lin calling, only to find that he was dead,
and the will, just drawn up for his sigma
;ure, lay before his sightless eyes IN
signed.
.Whatever had been the intention Of
grandfather he certainly did not live to
place his signature TO the WILL" concluded
Grace, in a voice husky with the intensity
Of her emotions.
alt is a clear case of the basest rascallty"
exclaimed Austin Wentword. ITO me 1t
seems evident that Captain Starbright and
us LAWYER have plotted to throw the million
eft by your grandfather into the hands OF
he former. No doubt Starbright would be
willing for you to RET use to marry him, for
hen she vast fortune would fall entirely
INTO his hands. II is barefaced scheme that
AN be easily frustrated
"Itmust be- Within two weeks the heirs
will be summoned before the probate court
20 give reasons. if any exist, why this Will
,e not admitted to probate as the honest
instrument of Morgan Vandible's hand
At that time your testimony will be OF the
utmost Importance
Eyes; family.
81 believe your evidence alone will be
sufficient to break the will, but we must
have more to corroborate yours"
SHOW can you get more" queried Grace.
Il was the only one present save the
Captain and lawyer Gripes."
sWel1, we must find more evidence" de-
clared the young mechanic. Il will consult
with our mutual friend, Louis Fingal. He Is
wise and keen; between US all believe we
shall be able to outwit Captain Starbright
and his scoundrelly lawyer. Circumstantial
evidence can be brought in The forged
signature, of course. is not likely TO be an
exact counterpart of Mr.. Nandloles chlrog-
raphy, and tina: will count for good deal
We have two weeks in which TO work, In
which time much can be done"
"Yes," agreed Grace, with sigh Il wish
Lura was back here, l an so lonely IN the
great house with only mother and the Cap
tain. may be foolish, but somehow have
a dread of both"
"You shall not be left to the mercy OF
either,'' declared Wentword. "Lura wln
come, and she is match for the Captain
the best day he ever saw"
81 have always felt safe when my COUSIN
was here said Grace. ''Iwas quite over
poyered with JOY when she returned, but
she made me promise not to reveal her
coming, as she wished to remain dead to the
world for time, the better to thwart the
plots of Captain Starbrlght, who at that
time trusted more fully than do now"
HE is a villain without one redeemlng
trait l believe that it was he who at
tempted the life of Lura- They are bitter
foes, and he feared she would stand In his
way. The two tramps who hurled her INTO
Hangman's Gulch that night handled some
of Captain Starbright's money for that
work, am fully assured"
"How terribler' uttered Grace. 1T does
not seem possible that one so apparently
kind, so elegant in manners, could be SO
deeply wicked"
perhaps you still doubtr'
81 confess to increculity to certain ex-
tent. 1 can not believe that Clinton Star
bright would stoop to murder. 1t seems
TOO horrible for belief"
sTime will TELL" answered the young
mechanic q have learned enough to
satisfy me that no crime is too vile for this
adyenturer BY breaking the will and ex-
posing the -liainy of Starbright we throw
every thing into your mothers hands, but
there seems to be no other way.n