The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-01-24

.tUoes Grace know Of the contents OF that
paper" asked the widow, nervously partak-
ing of II pinch Of snuff.
"Notyet. Icxpect to read it to her at
once"
"Your manner of proceeding seems TO me
extraordinary asserted Mrs. Penroy. Il
shall not submit to be disinherlted by a
forged will"
MADAM, have a care" uttered Mr
Gripes. warninglv.
1T is q forgery, and l can prove It, re't-
Grated the faded lady with nervous en-
phasis.
MADAM, won advise you to proceed
in a sensible manner So far as | am con-
cerned | have no personal interest III this
matter. but drew up this document in
legal manner, and witnessed the signature
of Morgan Vandible 1t can not be broken on
any such ground as you imagine. or course
YOU are able TO make trouble and much
cost, without result to yourself. 1t was
well understood that the old gentleman
meant to leave all his property to his
granddaughter, this is susceptible OF
proof
81 know that paper is a forgery" inter-
rupted Mrs. Penroy. becoming excited and
warm 81 will not submit to be robbed by
CAPTAIN Starbright and an avarlcious law
yer"
Then she f1ounced up and began to pace
the room.
The small, keen eye OF Mr.. Gripes re-
garded her sharply. Knowing as he did
that the will was forged he realized the
strength of Mrs. Penroy's case. At that
moment the willy fellow was strongly
tempted to assume her side OF the case and
leave the Infamous Captain in the lurch.
rhe dishonorable part OF the TRANSACTION
was only secondary consideration with
1iln, it was lucre that influence d his soul
entirely.
mo, sir!" cried the excited woman, paus-
Ing at length in front of the lawyer, and
shaking her bony hand within an inch OF
his hooked nose. Il will not submit 1
being robbed of my Inheritance by you AM
the Captain. THIS property is mine, and
will fight for my rights to the death. Don't
you dare attempt to probate that will! L
can prove that the name OF Vandlble was
forged to it, and that will ruin you and the
Captain both"
Such proof would indeed ruin them.
Seekmore Gripes made no further at
tempt to concillate the angry woman, but
rose and said
This paper will be advertised for pro-
bate to morrow. and hope you will see the
folly of attempting to break it, before the
three weeks publ" notice is up"
Then he went from. the room to meet Cap
tain Starbright. who was waiting his COM
ing most anxiously. The lawyer related how
Mrs Penroy had received his well meant
advice.
Can it possible that she knows whereof
she asserts" quered the Captain, uneasily.
81 think not. 1t is barely possible, how
ever, that the young lady made discovery
when she rushed in on us that fatal night
so unexpectedly, as you of course remem-
ber''
s. Ho w could that be!'
We'll, some people have sharper eyes
than we credit them with" proceeded the
lawyer Miss Peuroy entered the SICK
chamber just as her grandfather expired.
and at that time, you will remember, the
will was unsigned"
Il had forgotten, but now that you speaa
of it do remember that such was the fact
yet do not believe Grace knew that the
old man was dead, or that the will was I'M
signed,' declared Captain Starbright.
4" Possibly not"
g Do you imagine so?''
Il dc" with a wise shake of the head
Depend on it, Captain, you have both
mother and daughter to fight, and should
they be successful your character would be
ruined, and am afraid that should not be
able to keep you out of the penitentiary."
" But there is no chance for their success
Grace would be fool to throw away fort
une ~
"Perhaps''
The two men left the house together, the
Captain abOring under intense excitement
The Penroys, mother and daughter seemed
10 be in league against HIM, and among the
unknown quantities were Austin Went
word, the hunter Fingal and that witch
Lura Joyce, who, as the Captain now real
lied. was alive and working to thwart hi
schemes.
DR.. Faxon gave assurance that Grace
!7ould speedily recover, and he came to
Lone Hollow less frequently as the days
passed
When the wounded girl asked after her
over, Lura gave evasive answers The
young man still langushed in Stonefeld
jail, awaiting the outcome of the shot, and
Lura feared to make known the fact, since a
shock now might terminate the life of
Grace.
In the meantime Captain Starbright al
ternated between Stonefield and Lone Hol-
low. He was pleasant, and even friendly
20 Lura and Mrs. Penroy. The latter did
not attempt to prevent his visits, for she
had grown to fear the evil mans power
more and more since the will had been
found.