Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-02-19
HOLLOW;
Or, The Peril Of the PenrOyS.
A Thrilling and Romantic ste-~

The two men consulted for short time OF
the verarda.
"Mrs. Penroy has not yet attempted tt
carry out her threat" proceeded the Cap
tain, after n short consultation. "Would
not be best for you to show her the will ant
explain the situationa 1t may save consid
cradle trouble in the future"
"You are right, Captain" agreed thu
lawyer. ~ will see Mrs. Penroy. Let US
hope that she may be sensible. In any
event she can only cause delay and trouble
without affecting the result. lam satisfied
now that she had nothing to do with stealing
the will. 1t was simply the act of a common
thief for the hope of reward"
This was o keen relief to Captain Star
bright, who had no idea that the woman
who had returned the will to Lawyer GRIPPE
was Mother Cabera, who he supposed many
miles away by this time.
Mrs. Penroy had just taken a sniff from
her gold snuff-box when Seekmore Gripes
was announced.
81 am come, madam" he said, in his
keen, buslness-like voice, "to seek an ad
justment of the affairs of your late la
mented father. The will that l had the
honor of drawing before Mr.. Vandible died,
and which was left in my care, has not
been yet read to the heirs at law. The delay
has been unavoidable, but l am sure you
will overlook it, since l find the business
dldlTS O1 LLS GeCCtlSSu III SOuICWn AIIAASO
condition"
He caressed his knee with the back of hi.
hand, and regarded a distant object
fixedly, his bald head moving up and dowr
as he talked. When he paused she made
no reply, and then he drew forth large
envelope and proceeded to unfold its con-
tents.
"This is the last will and testament Of
your lamented father"
rrhf hn 1nfk nrsyill Dawn r
interrupted at this point. at seems little
strange that so many weeks have passed
without it's being produced"
81 can explain that satisfactorily" pro-
ceeded Mr.. Gripes. "You will please
listen to the reading of the will.''
She made no objection, and so he read the
document which left the Vandible million
to Grace Penroy, provided that she married
Clinton Starbright, and lived to reach her
majority. In case of her death before com
ing of age, or her refusal to become Mrs
Starbright, then the property reverted to
the Captain.
It will be remembered that the dying old
millionaire was not aware of the clause re.
garding Graces marriage.
Although Mrs. Penroy was not one of the
brightest women in the world, this clause
in the will at once aroused her suspicious.
She believed she saw a chance to break the
will, even should she fail to prove that the
signature was forgery. She was COM
pletely out with Captain Starbright now,
and determined on securing the wealth left
by her father for herself.
"Does Grace know of the contents of that
paper" asked the widow, nervously partak
ing of pinch of snuff.
mot yet Iexpect to read it to her at
once"
"Your manner of proceeding seems to me
extraordinary" assorted Mrs. Penroy. 'I
shall not submit to be disinherlted by q
forged will.''
''Madam, have a care" uttered Mr.
Gripes, warningly.
sit is q forgery, and can prove it," reft-
Grated the faded lady with nervous EN-.
phasis.
MADAM, would advise you to proceed
in sensible manner. So far as am con-
cerned have no personal interest in this
matter, but drew up this document in a
legal manner, and witnessed the signature
of Morgan Vandible. 1t can not be broken on
any such ground as you imagine. OF 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"
"I know that paper is a forgery" inter-
rupted Mrs. Penroy, becoming excited and
warm. II will not submit to be robbed by
Captain Starbright and an avarlcious law
YER"
Then she flounced 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
The dishonerable part of the transaction
was only o secondary consideration with
him, it was lucre that influence d his soul
entirely.
"No, STRIP 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. II will not submit to
being robbed of my inheritance by you and
the Captain. This property is mine, and 1
will fight for my rights to the death. Don't
you dare attempt to probate that will I
can prove that the name of Vandible 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 tomorrow, and hope you will see the
| folly of attempting to break it, before the
three weeks public 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 whereo
she assertsr' queried the Captain, uneasily
81 think not. 1t is barely possible, how
ever, that the young lady made discover.
when she rushed in on us that fatal nigh
so unexpectedly, as you Of course remem
ber."
Ho W could that be?"
"Well, some people have sharper eyes
than we credit them WITH" proceeded tn
lawyer. "Miss Penroy entered the sic
chamber just as her grandfather expired
and at that time, you will remember, tn
will was unsigned"
~ had forgotten, but now that you spea
of it do remember that such was the fac