Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-27

to confront him with witness, so that be
couldn't face me down, and ="
"And the messenger returned, having de
| Gvered the summons, but Oscar didn't show
up, and you haven't seen him since, and ar
| not likely to.
'There is no 'on.' That is all and NOR,
than enough am terrified to deathl Their,
is some plot, and this villain will surel,
kill me. It's a wonder that am still alive
Ny will is gone. Under this false one, o.
my intesracy, he would inherit, and ht
knows it, and"
81 think you have been in imminent
danger" said Abel Burgess, gravelY. "Bu
calm yourself Oscar is no fool. He has
fed; and he appreciates that you will do at
once what you now desire to do, presume
protect yourself and your property"
That's it, that's it. Fix it so that in
any event, whether I'm alive or dead, that
rascal shsn't have picayuner'
Whom did you name as executor in
your will?"
''My agent James Mason, who manages
all my affairs.
"Huml An honest man. You trust him
Implicitly"
Implicitly. If he could only act as ex.
ecutor now, would live and die content. %
''ThBt is Just what was about to suggest
to you. Make deed of trust conveying
everything to him to manage as he now
does during your life, and at your death to
divide as therein specified. Such deed is
irrevocable, and by removing the tempta-
tion removes all peril of violence.
''That's Just what 1 want Just what ]
want, exclsimed the old man, rubbing his
hands together gleefully. 81 will send my
papers and instructions to you before night
fall. have got you now, oh, mine
enemyp'
SIS there anything further?"
Indeed, yes something that care even
more about. My son has fed. He will be
sufficiently punished by poverty. He will
starye, he,will die, he will rot in q ditch.
I foresee it. believe it But he had an
accomplice. He had neither the brains nor
skill to originate and carry out such a
scheme. That accomplice must be detected.
l will spend half my fortune to apprehend
him. And then, oh, then; he shall feel the
weight of the law, promise you. He shall
suffer as I have suffered. You must take
charge Of this for me- You have been
prosecuting Attorney. You are wise and
cunning, and"
''Tut-tut How do you know it's a 'he'?
Who have been your son s >associates?"
81 know little of his habits except that
they are bad. James Mason told me this
morning that he had lately been seen in the
metropolis in company with very pretty
young woman. The huzzyI'
AHA! What did l suspect. Cherchez
la femme" (The attorney anglicized the
vowels and gave 'femme" two syIlables,
but he comprehended the phrase notwith.
standing.)
'Thst reminds me-" began Mr.. Battin.
"That reminds you of the second strange
thing which you noticed when you made
your discovery"
Exactly. How quickly you take mel
AS 1 united the string a long, fine hair
twined around my fnger-a woman's hair. %
"a hair that may hold the sword of Damo-
cles! Tell me in whose handwriting was the
body of your will?"
II don't know; but would recognize it.
often admired it, it was so firm, elegant
and legible. Some clerks of Marston &
Wilson, presume. Why do you ask?"
"That will do, Mr.. Battin. I won't detain
you any longer. The sooner you send your
papers to me the better. Call at this hour
tomorrow and the deed will be ready for
execution. AS for the other matter, will
think it over. Good-day, SIR" And the
lawyer swung around in his chair and be-
came absorbed in his books
The following day the deed of trust was
duly executed, and old Mr.. Battin breathed
easier. Perhaps this freedom from dread
gave strength to his desire for vengeance,
for 1t became the impulse of his life. Day
after day he haunted the lawyers ONCE
with inquiries and suggestions, and Abel
Burgess soon found that it was unnecessary
TOR him TO carry the memorandum ''the
matter OF Battin" from one page to another
OF his diary. Indeed, without this persis-