Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-02-21

his foundation securely and very broad, indeed. "Thus much by way of pre- amble; and now to business!'
 He deXterously slipped Mrs. Jane Dunkirlz's letter from its envelope as he sp'Ilc, and proceeded to unfold it.
 'NOh, to be sure, that tletter-I had for gotten 1t! You have read it, presume, MT. North?" inquired Mrs. Maynard, with faint degree of interest in her manner; then as North, without reply ing, glanced up at her with an air of re- proof, lifting his eyebrows inquiringly, she at once checked herself.
 "I perceive" she said, submissively, 'I am not to ask any questions at all; that is your prerogative. Very well; will try to remember this hereafter"
 ''No, no, Mrs. Maynard, you shall share all my prcrogatives!'' cried North, in another ingenious outburst of gal lantry; then faint color crept sus- piciously over the fairness of cheek and brow as he continued in a more business-lilze tone:
 At least, I will answer the question that you have already asked. I have | read this letter, and 1 intend to make it the starting point for all my questions this morning. l wish, you see, to ana- lyze it very much as it would be ana lyzed in court if we should submit 1t for any purpose whatever, and to ascertain just what construction it will best bear. First of all, then, we will consider the date; since, to be of any practical use to us, the letter must be proven to have been written while that genuine will in your favor was in existence. The one, you know, corroborates the other. This letter hints at what the will fulfills; and we must construe it according to that intent. What we wish to establish by it is the intention of Mrs. DunlxirlS toward yourself. All of this, you un- derstand, would be of no advantage to us if Annie Dupont should be discov- cred; but if she is not brought forward within reasonable time, we may as sume that it will fairly make our case. Now, this date, no doubt, is accurate. Do you recollect when you received the letter?''
 ''Oh! very distinctly. We had re- turned from Europe the previous week, and 1 had written her immediately up- on our arrival ill X-."
 "Yes. Now will read aloud her rea ply. The first sentence is immaterial. Next: T am sorry to hear of your diff culties, but I am in no position to ad- I the nature of those difficulties, Mrs. Maynard? Were they not, as infeE 1 from the context, of peculiar -X . meanD
 "Not entirely, but principally" in terposed Mrs. Maynard. with 9 reheottvs air, "connected with money matters" , North slowly read on:
 "'NIr. Maynard used his discretion in I I,o n1 -irrht t0 AN 5 one can dispute. That you are disap- you should feel so Respondent in regard : to your own future cannot under 3 stand To what, if I may inqu1Ie, do t these two sentences refer?' ; "Why, to MT. Maynard's will" "Ah-to MT. Naynard's will" repeat cd North, absent1y, while he was think must try to ascertain"
 T told her about 1t in my letter." re- sumed Mrs. Maynard, and, believe, | complained rather bitterly of 1t as un' l just to me and not at all what had 6 right to expect-'
 Had you then discovered for the first . time that he had made this wi1l?" ''Oh. mol I knew his intention ip re T gard to the matter long before this
 MT. Maynard told me plainly what he
 intended to do, and I was present wher i the will was drawn. There was no SC
 cret made of it, assure you. The ma
 for was only too anxious for mo to know } what had been determined upon, thaa ;, he might triumph in my discontinue.
 Her dark eyes flashed as she spoke D and tiny spot of scarlet giowed in be- Il . A H ' an instant from t1ledr cool sweetness nor her manner from its gracious TO n pose.
 ton nt hand!' thought North, ruefully
 nevertheless he did not swerve one de gree from his perilous investigations. o "It may not be considered important or directly bearing on our case," he ob :. served in a mcditative way as he glance. V up at Mrs. Maynard over his notes F ''still, if the inquiry were carried on il n court, apprehend that all these collat
 eral questions would be raised. and a may be as well for me to be thorough, & informed on this point. Will you pleas |. state briefly what were the condition I of that will? I will note them down a II you proceed"
 
 and to tho point. With the exceptio to of certain income to be paid annual S, to me so long as remained wido,
 and continued to reside under this roc d. two distinctly tyrannical condition II which must be complied with, both an is severally, otherwise so far as MT. May d nard's wealth was concerned, shoul t, be left penniless-witht the exception ( Id this conditionally granted income, 1 Id consideration of which my right ( h. dover was set aside, all of Mir. May Is nard's large fortune was willed to hi l relatives Think of it, Mr. North, sue st a sweeping disregard of my rights! h. The undcrcurrent of indignation riI CT pied the calm surface now just for q ly instant as these words were warmly u h. tered.
 ,n "Preposterous!' declared North, as |