The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-01-29
oUTWlTTEo.

from my seat and turning up the gasje
on the table, turned, and surveyed m,
interloentor, who proved to be none 9th
er than well-dressed, rather good-look
ing man Of forty or thereabouts, Of mid
die stature, and possessed of small
piercing pair Of eyes, which returned IN,
gaze unfinchingly
am Mr.. Avery, the junior parinei
Of the firm, as you might have seen haC
you taken the trouble to read the sigr
upon the door," replied, shortly for
was in no wise pleased with his iniru
sion upon my reyeries.
True" ne answered, courteously
but the door was open and the hall un
lighted. require your services a shor
time" he resumed, seating himself
provided that you are disengsged fol
tonight"
a Professionally. am at your dispose
for the evening" l answered.
Ah, your remark reminds me of the
ordinary perquisite,7 he said, laughingIy
taking out his pocketbook and laying 1
bill Of large denomination down on the
table.
But | waved my hand impatiently, in,
forming him that no payment was nee
essary until after consultation, and re.
quested him 10 proceed at once 10 busi.
ness.
The business to which referred. " be
continued, replacing the money and fix.
ing his keen black ewes upon my face
will require your services until late in
the night, If not until tomorrow morn.
ing My niece, who resides some miles
from the city, is dangerously i'll, and her
recovery being extremely doubtful, she
desires to make her will. For this pur.
pose have applied 10 you'll promising
ycu, in case you accede TO my request
you will receive any fee you may de-
mand."
l eommuned with myself for few mo.
ments, eyed the man suspiciously, then
asked the distance to the. young lady's
residence, and the mode of conveyance
thither.
About five or ten miles be respond
ed, handing me his card, Martin Jack
son, Harlem, Illinois,
1t is short distance from Harlem,
and as train does not leave Chicago for
some hours yet, ! have provided car
riage and driver, which await on the
street. May consider your services as
engaged ?"
responded that he might, and a
few moments sGfficed to find US en-
sconsed in a close carriage, which
took westerly direction at a moderate
speed.
The more populous portion of the city
was soon passed, my companion, mean
time enlightening me with en- account
of his niece's sickness and previous his
tory and, an hour after leaving the
place Of starting, We found ourselves a
mile from Chicago, nearing the wooded
ridges which skirt Its extreme limits. /
was young man, and my nervousness
aud suspicious Of the man beside me may
be excused, when his evident anxiety in
employing myself, an inexperienced law
yer, are considered. His story, too, did
not sound consistent in all respects, for
he spoke Of his niece, Miss Blanche Pick
ering, as being. at times, subject to short
fits of insanity. ], therefore, was prepar-
ed 10 End something mysterious on nv
arrival at our desiination-which occur
red shortly-in thick grove of sturdy
oak trees, some four miles from the city
limits.
When the carriage stopped it was in
front OF large, dark-looking building of
stone, standing a short distance back
from the road, and surrounded by tall
poplars. A feeble light fickered in a
single window at the side Of the house,
and few dim rays shone through the
lower story window
One thing struck me as rather curious,
as / passed up the gravel walk to the
mansion, and tended TO arouse my suspi-
cions once more. The man, Jackson,
dismissed lhe carriuge afier paving the
driver, with few whispered words, the
import Of which | was unable to sscer-
tain. and the hack turned sharply, as if
to retrace the road to Chicago. said
nothing however, bat shifting ray reyol-
yer into more convenient position in
my inner vest pocket, entered the house
with my companion, who unlocked the
door with 8 latcbkey, and was ushered
into the parlor, which was poorly lighted
by hanging lamp.
Having seen me seated by a table on
which were spread refreshments, jackson
leff me for short time, and, returning
shortly with large, we'll built man,
whom he introduced as Mr.. Cooper, his
cousin. took seat beside me his COM
panion followed his example, and pour
ing out some wine requested me TO join
them, which ! courteously refused, on
the plea Of being teetotaller. After a
few moments of conversation was again
left alone, and lighting cigar, awaited
patiently my summons to actual busi-
ness.
The door was opened short time af-
ter, and by request OF Cooper followed
him up the staircase into the gloomy
hall above them and into a room, where
was seated my first applicant by the side
of q bed, apparently in conversation with
some one reclining there.
The room was a luxurious one, and
appeared more 80 for the great contrast
IT presented to what other portions Of
the house | had seen. The rich carving,
the heavy tapestry, and general appear
ance Of the surroundings. bespoke the
wealth Of the possessor, whoever that
person might be. Seating myself at a
small table drawn up near the bed, with
Jackson seated in his former position,
and Cooper Withdrawn TO the other end
Of the apartment, reclining on lounge
and apparently Indifferent to all that
was to transpire, ! awaited further de-
velopments. taking one look at thei face
of the occupant Of the bed.
II was no wonder ! gazed long and
earnestly at the countenance OF the wo-
man who recIined there A more perfect