Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-08-10

Mr.. North, how can this have happened2
We were 40 well fortified at every point,
even granting their claims concerning
the niece 10 be correct; no you have re-
peatedly assured me yourself, Mr.. North
so Hopkins and Shepherd have retter-
ated again and again"
A grim little smile crept upward from
the dropping ends Of North's mustache
and Just illuminated for an instant the
sharp glance OF his eyes. When he
spoke his tones seemed full Of mocling
sarcasm.
"Well fortified? SO we did appear TO
be. IL was a strong case until the tear
ing and rending Of our opponents be-
gan; then our really unsubstantial
fabric went TO tatters in an instant"
"Mr. North, what do you mean7" de-
manded Mrs. Maynard, while her beau
tiful eyes grew darker still with alarm
and excitement Let me know the
whole truth-the worst that there is to
tell Speak plainly, II you pleased"
81 will do so, Mrs. Maynard, II you
insist, although the plain truth is not
always an agreeable thing TO hear. In
brief, then, the will that was put for
ward In support OF your claim TO Mrs.
Dunkirk's fortune has been openly de-
clarcd, and furthermore proven TO be, a
forgeryi'
"A forgery"
Mrs. Maynard repeated these words
mechanically, as II she were unconscious
Of speaking aloud; then with sudden
vchemcnce she cried:
"Who says II is a forgery Who
darcs TO say SOP How can they prove
it?"
North was watching her closely, re-
alizing with how much Significance her
words and manner at this crisis would
be weighed; yet he was unable 10 de-
tcrmine the precise effect produced upon
her by his announcement That she
was startled and dismayed he could OF
course perceive at a glance; beyond this
he could not analyzo her emotions.
Holding himself steadily In hand and
continuing his watchfulness Of her, he
replied 10 her last excited words with a
touch OF reckless nonchalance In his
manner;
ooh, the proofs are invincible, Mrs.
Maynard. !, myself, sec clearly now
that II was very poor policy TO risk that
business"
lie spoke at random, knowing that
his first venture must be made more or
less daringly in the dark; but no sooner
were the words uttered than he congrat-
ulnted himself that his random shot had
hit the mark.
Poor policy" repeated Mrs May
nard, In pcrplcXed tones, while she
raised her eyebrows inquiringly. "And
pray, Mr.. North, who sanctioned this
poor policy?'
Precisely what | propose TO find out, "
said North to himself, with grim deter
mination. by strong implication, my
sclf-or rather Noll. However, that re-
mains 10 be established"
Then To Mrs. Maynard he added, in
his most conciliatory tones;
"Oh, we'll, Mrs. Maynard, we can
scarcely afford To discuss that point Mt
the present interesting crisis. OF course,
whatever has been done thus far has
been undertaken with the very best in
tentions and confident anticipation of
success. A few days ago our position
seemed tenablc enough; now, however,
since the case has been subjected Ia
such mercilcss examination, | see very
clearly the weak and utterly untenablc
points The fact is, Mrs. Maynard, that
forgery, as ! now perceive, was far from
slillfully contrivcd, and the best We
can say for-ah--for the perpetrators
thcreof'-he paused list for an instant
here, with methtativo little laugh
while he mentally commented: There
got over that very neatlyV'-'is, thai
II proves them To be rather ineNperi
cnccd In such work. Now, let me &,
over the whole ground, Mrs. Maynard,
he added more seriously, "and poin
out TO you the fatal discrepancies tina
ed 10 our de-dcfeat,"
lie had commenced to say "detec
tion," but Just us the word was trcm
bling ON his lips he substituted for /
the more non-committal term.
Mrs. Maynard having nssentcd silent
ly to his proposition, he proceeded Il
once to his critical review Of the forge,
will.
"ln the first place" he began, looking
at her 30 steadily and kcenly, with sucl
strunge effectiveness, that her eyes fell
she scarcely knew why, "this documcn
! purporting TO he the last will and tesla
ment of Mrs. Jane DunlSirk was repre-
scntcd tn be, and in truth did appear I
be, In tho handwriting Of James Kci
nan, Esq, now deceased, but formcrl
n prominent New York lawyer. II wa
} incvidcnce, and not disputed ut all, tina
the late MIR. Herman was for severG
, ycnrs-n period embracing the date q
this will-Mrs. DunliirlS' s attorney, an,
r naturally, the person to whom sh
= would intrust the drawing Of this docl
mont So far, very good. There is
fair degree Of FEASIBILITY for US, jus
, un the surface. But unfortunatcl
/ competent evidence was produced u
/ Hunter and Ketchum, showing that q
or about the 10th Of July, which is IL
| date Of our will, you know, and for
r certain time previous and subsequent I
: that date, the late Mr., Herman was
, Europe, and therefore he couldnot hu,
? had any active personal share in this
any other transaction Of like nntul
r that may have occurred In New Noi
= during that time. In short, they prove,
a hy the utter impossibility Of the thin
n that the late Mr. Herman did not dra
+ that will, all our representations 10 thu
effect Notwithstanding! There, yc
i perceive, Is their first point, as clear
II noouduy; It is something that we ca
o not possibly contruvcrt"
y "Can It be possiblc!' exclaimed Mr.
1t Maynard, looking up NJ him with u
y words They proved, did You say, NJ
Nurth, proved that MIR. Herman was
81 L.. l.