The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-17

y
Sunday clothes"
Mr.. John Barnett, solicitor. cut open the
envelope carefully, as was his habit, took out
She Enclosure, and read:
MoRFDUN HOUSE,,
EIDERGATE, Friday, 6 a. m.
DEAR SIR: an, Ia great trouble. Mr.. Monston
Nas found dead IN the library last night about =
o'clock The cause Of death was heart disease.
Could you come down here to-day and remain iill
sftcr The funeral and advise with regard 10 the
funeral arrangements aud other things2 IL Is a
great deal 10 ask know; but YOU sec have no
right Interfere in these matters, rs am no rcla-
tive Of Mr. Momkton's. and do not know what TO
90. You were always las chief friend as wei as
his legal adviser. am afraid OF hs brother coming
here when he hears Of the death. inclose notices
which VIII thank you 10 get inserted in the various
newspapers send this letter 10y our gardener,
who viii bring back your reply Yours truly.
KATHERINE ASHLEY.
Mr. Barnett appeared very much affected on
reading this letter Mr. Monkton is dead,
Jenkins" he said. Found dead in his library
last night How very sudden! he IVES here
only two days ago looking as well as ever saw
him. This letter is from Miss Ashley. She
wishes me 10 go 10 Eldergate to-day, but Mr..
Morgan is coming here in short time, and L
have 10 20 out with him relative 10 some bust
ness. which will detain me- expect, till late in
the afternoon. / viii not be able to get to
EldeTgate till the o'clock train. i have
nothing particularly pressing for the next few
days. have II"
:. No. Sir: don't think So"
Then l viii be able TO wait over at Elder
gate Till after the funeral, as Miss Ashley
wishes. j will give you note 10 the man. i
don't know when got such a shock"
The note dispatched. Air. Barnett sat down 10
think over matters Mr. MonktOn and he had
been friends of many years duration, and
having been often al Moredun House, Mr.. Bar
nett was well acquainted with Miss Ashley,
az Ia faf -
Mr.. Monkton bad no family Of his own, and
Miss Ashley had lived al M0redun house for
the past 10 years. Her aunt Mrs. Monkton,
had died a few years before. BY the terms
OF Mr. Mouktun's will, which Mr.. Barnett him
sell bad drawn, the latter knew that he, along
with Sir Andrew Dawson, wealthy nelghboT
OF Mr.. Monkton's, was appointed an executor,
snd joint guardian Of Miss Ashley until she
should attain the age Of q. This she would
not reach for nearly three years yet aud IN the
interval some arrangement must be come TO
with reference TO her.
" ] hope that brother Of Monkton's doesn't
come upon the scene, for he is a thorough
scoundrel, If ever there was ONE be said 10
himself He viii give as some trouble if he
can. However, be need not try to dispute the
viii, although / believe he would do il in a
minute IL he Thought he had the ghost Of a
chance"
Here Mr.. Barnett's meditations were inter
rupted by the entrance OF his client, Mr.. Nor
gan, who had come 10 keep his appointment
aud in a short time both left the Office together.
It was after in the afternoon when Mr.. Bar
nCti returned.
"ConiJuad Morganl :" be said 10 Jenkins,
who was his head clerk. and who had waited
behind tie others IN case OF anything being re-
quired. ] could not get away earlier. twill
be sfter 10 before / get 10 Mr.. Monkton's
house, for ] will have 10 wait till the o'clock
tram nov. ] must 20 home first. ] shall not
be back az the Office till "Wednesday; bat II
there should be anything particularly pressing
j might take run up. You can let me know
how things 90 on, Jenkins"
AL right sir" answered jenkins; and
then 8F. Barnett departed.
he left Eust0n Station at o'clock, en- route
for Eldergate, which was distant from the me
tropOlis about two hours journey by rail. Mr..
honktOns carriage was IA waiting at the sta
tion, aud be was soon being driven up the ave-
nue 70 The house.
A footman, who appeared TO be the only one
awake IN the house, opened the door 10 him.
But as lie entered al Old lady, whom Mr.. Bar
nett recognized as g distant cousin Of Mr..
EoDkton's, met him in the hall. She was q
sturdy OLD Scotchw0mHn, hale and hearty,
fhOuEh upward o. 90 years Of age.
4sre very late. / vas thinking We
mightna be here the night now, and ] advised
Miss Ashley 70 gang ava 10 her bed, and
WOalc look after ye u ye came. Yell be ready
Tor some supper, I'm thinking Come This way
aut0 tle dining -r0DIn."'
Mr. Barnett followed the loauacious old LADY
into the room where supper was Immediately
brought IN. " an surprised TO see you, Mrs
Crawford" be said. " ! did not know you were
here. Miss Ashley did not mention you IN hel
letter this morning"
Because zbe dsGua ken was coming. I'm
staying 10 London va my son Peter now, and
j came down here this morning on a visit by
chance ] f0gBd everything at skies aud sew.
ems, AID that puir iassie greeting Ike 10 break
her heart; 30 ! just staid Oh til &c would
come"
You were quite right ] would have been
here earlier a. ! told Miss Ashley in my letter
bat ] was detained. But / need not keep vol
ouL Of y0ar bed, Mrs. Crawford; ] can attend
- myseE ] know tie way 70 my room.
have been often here before, you know"
Oh, I'm ID no hurry" said Mrs. Crawford
Enc had dismissed the servant, and had hefsc!
waited 70 attend 70 Mr. BaEnctt's wants II,
haa scarcely begun 70 do justice 70 the supper
however, when Size suddenly bent forward anC
Whispered almost ia lis car: 4" Hes here"
+" Who il heref Whom do you mean
asked the solicitor, almost dropping his knit,
and fork IN his surprise
" HON should ! mean but Henry Mon kton
Of course? Came here IN tie middle o tn
afternoon, and intends waiting I'LL after Ia,
funeral, he says. But be may spare hImscl
tie trouble, lor onythiBg he'll get hope"
Bat how dad he come % hear Of his broth
ers death 80 epoedily2 il viii not be IN tn
newspapers I'll to-iaoIr0w. Miss Ashley suTci,
dad not seLd him HOt!cel"
10, she diuua- Shes over frichted for hin
10 do the Ike D that. She's kecpit her room
ever since he came, or else she would hae bee
waiting here 70 sec ye. Bat yen sec her 4
the morning right enough. lie met Blake "a
gardener, b accident at the London Station
tuIs lOreL00n, and got the news frae him II
has FAGC stock y Impotence 10 come here q
tie present time. when be keus brawly b
oaurla hae showed hig nose lad his brotbe
been living Daa4, dear. glc change AS hi
death Will max III this house, What's 10 B,
come . that la1zief Surely, lac would min
her IN hls Will"
Was be supposed n have been long dea
before Ac was touadf Who was the first
discover himE Was i Miss AshlcyFV
"Ayi size Uas lhc first. Ie had game into I'll
library ~ seven, aud Miss Ashley. WHO Ia
been oct - her tea a. S.T Andrew Dawson
came home about o'clock Wien she WEI
into Tic room be was sitting dead ut lis desk
What had He been dOlQg Reading,
Whatl"
lie had apparently been looking over con
papers aHd lellgrs. Tor there were q lot lyir
Ebyat the desk. The doctor believe. lac hadl
lang been dead when be was discovered"
" Well, We'll. ] must see after things ia q
morning. IL is a little awkward Henry Mon
Ton being here. WHO has charge Of W. be