Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-02-21

proven, his will can easily be set aside, when the time comes. I wonder if this has never occurred to her?'
 "Remember, have no proof of this, Mir North" Mrs. Maynard said, slowly, IS If answering his very thoughts. Nevertheless, I am convinced that he was influenced to my disadvantage. However, this is Aggression. My un- happy differences with Mir. Maynard are not at present under discussion, l believe"
 North experienced n peculiar sensa- ton as he listened to this direct allusion to the tragedy of Mrs. Maynard's do- mestic life; but he smiled as composedly as if her last remark had been the merest commonplace, and proceeded with his inquiries.
 Mrs. Dunkirk's letter, then, so far as have cited it, refers to this will, of which vou-had written her, and to your | comments on it?'
 'Yes; that is all"
 And now" continued North, i've come to this terrible arraignment, on a | charge to which many of us, fear, would have to plead guilty: You were | always over fond of money Can it be possible, Mrs. Maynard, that anything | ever occurred in the course of your long | acquaintance with Mrs. Dun1irk that would justify her in suspecting you of being the least particle mercenary in your disposition?"
 Mrs. Maynard glancing up in surprise | and encounterlng an extremely qu1z- zical expression in the keen gray eyes that were regarding her so intently | hesitated for an instant, evidently un- able to perceive the drift of North's in- quiry. Then she said, speaking slowly as If still speculating on his motives:
 '1 cannot say, Mir. North, that ever consciously did anything to warrant Mrs. Dunkirk in forming such a conclu- sion. She was rather given to nasty | judgments, and she clung to her opin- 1 ions with great tenacity. She knew, ot E course, that looked upon wealth as \ one of the good things of this life, which should be glad to possess. Is not that natural and proper wish3''
 ''Oh, entirely sol I myself sympa- thize with 1t very profoundly, as you are doubtless aware. But did you ever give Mrs. Dunlzirk any reason to sup. pose that you wished, hoped or eS' pected to be made her heir?'' M "Would not such 0 wish. hope or eX pectation be perfectly natural in view of the fact that she had actually made I her will in my favor9-ah!" she added quickly as North's eyebrows were again raised, II forgot the prerogativeS, just for the pnoment. We'll, then, yes, MT. I Noxths shs knew Thn& had some suck expecta ton. She herself intimated tc me several times that she might make mo Der heir,:
 "How far back does your persona acquaintance with Mrs. Dunkirk ex tend, Mrs. Maynard?' inquired Nortl abruptly.
 The answer came slowly after an il eAant|s silence.
 ''To the day of poor, dear mamma. funeral, when Mrs. D.unkirlk came, 1T anewer to mammals last request, tG take me to her home"
 ''PSevious to that day you had ne~el met Mrs. DunlirkT"
 Never"
 'rBut she was an intimate friend O
 pour mother'sV'
 'SSo far as have ever been able tt learn, their acquaintance, though O many years standtng, had mower beoI intimate at aIl."
 There was perplexed expression oa
 Eorth's face as he pondered this an svper in silence for 8ew moments vitl
 his eyes bent upon his notebook. Thes
 be said slowly, raising his glance t. Mrs Naynards facet
 And yet, during her last illness | your mother wrote to Mrs. Dunlzirtz- comparative stranger, as we must infe that she was-requesting her to talk you into her home and extend to you