The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-06-25

proach. He might have come earlier; he
almost wished he had. Yet underlying his
regret was O vague relief OF which he was
ashamed; for he had lost faith In himself
on the way down, things had occurred to
him that he had loaf sight of before. and he
had begun to doubt whether it was for him
to forgive or TO- ask forgiveness. SO strong
ly did this feeling grow upon him that IL
snatched aside the mask OF self-decelS
which had so long hidden his own FOLLY
and meanness from himself. and his sense
OF shame and humiliation almost held hum
back from going TO her at all. 1t held MIN
back now. and he had not the heart to- 90
into the darkened room and look upon her
dead face.
During the next few days. while he was
staying in the town. be somewhat recOv-
cred his self-satisfaction. de made CON-
promise with himself and owned that there
had been faults on both sides. but told
himself that If his aunt had only treated
him differently there would have been no
faults at all Oh his SIDE, or on hers either:
he had no cause to love or regret Der. ana
in the course of u couple of days had got
over the shock of her death, and was able
to think of other matters.
One thing he must arrange before he
went back home. and that was as TO Aunt
Pettifer's money. He was her only rela-
tive, and unless she had left Will leaving
it TO some one else. it would oil come to
him. She might have left it all TO Mr..
Dadley; probably she had; he had been
schemIng for il. and had great control
over her. Anyway. he would see about
that before be went back.
1t was bright. supshinY afternoon when
he followed poor old Aunt Pettifer to her
grave; u lonely grave. standing qnite apart
against the low wall of the churchyard
rites were over, Mr.. Dadley came after him
and walked with him back towards the
town.
II am sorry to speak of business matters
A
w,ll be returning TO London. and no doubt
you would like TO dispose of any questions
concerning your aunts estate before you
Co."
We'll. yes" said George. II think 1t
would be better. Did she leave any Wilt"
Yes
''In whose favor!"
"Well." besitated Mr.. Daddy. $50 far as it
goes suppose IL is IN NINE"
81 thought as much" answered George.
Mr. Dadley flushed up holly. but Te-.
strained himself
"If you will call at my house this even.
ing, will show you everything. IL will
be more satisfactory" he said. and turned
away without waiting for reply.
George went back to hts hotel in no hap
been tricked Mr.. Dadley had tricked him.
He had taken advantage of Miss PettifeI's
weak. dopsndent position TO defraud her
only relative of his rights. The more he
U
more indignant he became; and. at last.
when he set out Just after dark for Mr.. Dad
ley's house, he had fully made mp his mind
to let that gentleman understand what he
thought of him.
He was ushered into the comfortable.
well-lighted study, where Mr.. Dadley was
waiting for him.
perhaps, sir" he said, as he seated him.
self. you will tell me. shortly. how my
aunt has left her affairs"
hare a VI DanlaVs
you will SEQ by that she appoints me sole
executor. and leaves every thing to me,
with request that will pay her debts
oDd funeral expeDs6e.
George took the document which was
very brief. and read II. and founo it WAC to
the effect Mr.. Dadely had stated. He flung
it back across the table.
VERY good. sir!." he cried anarily. II
shall contest that document She would
never have signed that except under undue
influence. l am her only relative; you
know that?"
Yes" said Mr.. Dadiey quietly; but
when tell You that she has not even left
enough to pay her few debts and funeral
expenses-n
Then. sir" George holly interrupted. II
should like to know where 1t has gone, and
who has got it'll have my suspicious. and
will have this matter inquired into and
exposed"
Sir" said Mr.. Dadley sternly, rising to
his feet and speaking with great dignity.
that book will tell you all you want to
know. She wished me to look at il ana
IT. But i think 1t right you should see IT,
What she did was done without my knOwl-
edge and against my counsel"
George took the book from his hand; it
was q bank pass book; and opening the
leaves he glanced over them at random.
You will find" continued Mr.. Dadley
that the book covers o period Of ten years
or so: her banking transactions were not
woman, and you will find she has entered
against each item to whom lt was paid,
and for what purpose. And-for-what-
purpose"
But George was scarcely listening. Look
ing down one side of the pages. he traced
tho regular entry Of the yearly dividends
she received IRON some Investments, and
the final of rather more than
$4,000 dated few months ago.
and representing, as pencil
received on the sale of her investmen ts
and her little house in the town. How had
all that money gone In so short timef
He turned back to the beginning OF the
on the other side.
There were many entries of small sums
with the pencil note Household" against
them. Among the early entries was one
rather large amount marked For George 9
trouble ct school," ana close after is tho
last payment OF his school expenses.
He turned over and there was a
payment or GOO entered. The date
against 1t was one he had reason to
remember for he was at that time
in prison under a charge of forgery. The
pencil note against this was simply, For
George" He could not look MP: he dared
not trust himself TO speak; he knew what il
meant. LIZ was she who had forgiven him.
not Mr. Grellin. He bent his head lower
and turned over the pages till another en-
try caughf his attention. IL was for n pay
ment of fl60. and the pencil note against IL
was, My wedding present To GEORGE"
| There was a mist before his eyes, great,
| choking sensation rising in his throat, and
| his heart Was throbbing painfully; but he