Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-05-11
CHAPTER y.-coSr1srxn.

CHAPTER v.-CoNTINCxD
This resolution probably was not
taken on the loftiest of moral grounds;
but Allan North was not ia a position
| just then to view the case from any
| elevated moral or ethical standpoint.
If he had blamed his brother more
severely he might possibly have been
less inclined to shield him; but for
! some reason he had a distinct feeling
that Ollin was moro to he pitied than
blamed. All his righteous indignation
was visited upon the beautiful woman
whom he believed to have been the
cause of his brothers temptation and
stumbling.
'And now" he reflected, having
definitely determined upon his course,
lean / so perfectly assume the charac-
ter of my brother that not even his in
innate friends and daily associates shall
suspect the deception? My success thus
far has been very encouraging; the
only thing that staggers me is my
utter ignorance of his private affairs
here in X, his social, political and
professional connections. Then there
is the uncertainty about how long Noll
will remain away. If he should return
before have succeeded in gaining any
evidence from Mrs. Maynard, my labor
will be wasted. But, by Jove!-No, no,
that is wild superstition! Noll would
never do anything so cowardly as to
run away when he discovered that he
was suspected. And yet, his leaving so
suddenly as he did after receiving that
message from Hopkins and Shepherd
has a rather significant look. must
bear that in mind. Well, / shall have to
trust largely to fortune, and make the
most of the time that have for devel-
oping and accomplishing my purpose.
In the meantime, of course, must not
forget my mission for Hunter and
Ketchum. / will write them q line
now to report PROFESSOR lack of it
and then give myself up to careful
consideration of this other, still more
important matter"
The letter to Hunter and Ketchum
was hastily written and sealed; then,
as he laid his pen aside, North's eye
fell upon the envelope that Mrs. May
nard had given him.
''Ah," he thought, taking it in his
hand, ''this is the letter that Noll had
urged her to find, as he fancied that it
might be of value as evidence. 1t must
have some more or less direct bearing,
then, upon this will case. think 1 can
soon judge of its value"
He drew from the envelope sheet of
thin blue paper. When he had unfold
ed it, the old-fashioncd chirography Of
Mrs. Dunhirk met his eye.
The ink was pale, anG the writing
obliged to brighten the gas and study
the document carefully before he sue
ceeded in deciphering it as follows:
'NEw YORK, May -, 49,
"DEAR NINA: Yours Of the 18th is at hand
am sorry to hear of your ifficult;cs, but am in
no position TO advise you. Mr. Maynard used
his own discretion in the matter, and his right
TO do one can dispute. That you are dis
appointed Is Of course natural; but why you
should feel so Respondent in regard to your
future cannot understand You were always
overload of money. 1 have learned from my
own experience that 1t brings 20 its posSessor
great responsibilities as we'll as WEAKNESS and
vexation of spirit. and it is fruitful source of
enyying and strife. Beyond modest CON-
petence, such as you viii possess, it is not de-
sirabie, especially for woman who has only
lawyers to look out for her interests.
II wealth would beStow upon you
any happiness, I should like to crafty you in
control of my fortune After am gone. what !
matter to me who has it. am anxious only to |
wrong no one in what do. A few years ago |
believed that had q niece liviug-my only sur |
viving relative Hamilton's daughter-who |
ought to be my heir The most diligent search |
has failed, however, to discover her, and have |
at last most reluctantly given up this belief. |
There Is no one who has q greater claim upon |
me than yourself This claim feel inclined at |
present to recognize. Charitable requests do |
not favor. have given freely to public AID |
private charities during my lifetime, and have I
received but neager thanks. During the five
years that you were with me before your
you were like q daughter to me-
This have always remembered kindly.
"My health is slowly improving with the re-
turn of warmer weather. The bleak spring
lime is an enemy to my constitution. find
Tenner faithful attendant in my declining
7ears. My regards to Mr.. Maynard and family
"Yours ahectionately.
JANE DUNKIRK."