Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-05-01
THE OVERTON CLAIM.
By MARTHA MoULLOOH WILLIAMS.
[Copyright. 1894, by American Press Associa
 tion.l
CHAPTER XVII.

'Law is full of surprises, but this is about the most surprising" Mir. Hill dreth said, refolding the yellow letter that Major Overton had put into his hands. Why, major, " he went on, "it really seems that this young fellow is determined to beat you You refuse his surrender, and he at once goes to work developing a new line of evidence that 30 years ago might have won your case for you =
 "Why not now as we'll as then?' Ma jor OvCrton asked.
 Because, let me see-yes, it is 30 years since Bruce Stirling died If we had known while he lived that he had hand in the matter, we could easily have got the truth, of course paying well for it. While we may be morally cer- tain of his turpitude, I see no way in the world of proving it. No, major, shak ing his head commiseratingly though this letter explains much that has al- ways been dark it can in no way affect either side with the courts, and loath as am to say 1t we are very nearly at the end of our rope. If within the next three months we do not find at least trace of the missing pap-,rs-yOur deeds, the rec ords, one or bOth-the other side must be confirmed in possession, as they would have been 10 years back had their case been vigorously pressed. While Allen Fauntleroy was minor and out of the country it was easy enough to have the business set over from term to term. You know it waited 10 years the first time for a hearing in the higher court after hanging so long in the lower ones Then, when it came back, l know my father fought for delay. He said he knew he had the side z right and justice and kept hoping time would show it. think you know that took up the case as whole heartedly as he had done and fought it the best could, hoping, l con- fess, to wear the other side out, if l could do nothing more You have shown me that that was useless; that you will not accept victory by default Since the property has found a prospective pur- chaser, there Is such activity among our enemies that the end must come soon. l wish I could persuade you t1 compro- mise, major. This letter ought to show you that your opponents are innocent parties to the fraud against you, and surely young Fauntleroy's action -
 Don't speak of it. Major Overton said hoarsely. "Hildreth, you-you- don t tknow-everyth You can never understand just why must do as I do or how hate myself for-for finding it impossible longer to hate him.
 MT. Hildreth got up and walked twice II o4 last i'll front of his client to say:
 Major, keeping secrets from ones lawyer is nearly as suicidal as keeping them from ones doctor. But if you choose to dc it I have no word to say. Listen to this though, beg: Your grand daughter has some claim on you. Are you willing she should be left without a roof, protector? know some things, more perhaps than you imagine. Iguess others, and in face of all say it is your duty as a gentleman, a man of honor, either to agree to a settlement that shall divide the property equally betwixt the Overtons and Fauntleroys or else to the marriage of Allen Fauntleroy to your grandchild. :"
 Major Overton got up, white to the lips.
 You forget yourself, MT. Hildreth. " he said freezingly. With an Overton material considerations do not weigh against honor. I thought I had sufficient ly impressed that on your mind. Permit me to wish you a very good day"
 Poor old Spartan! He's three parts a monomaniac, '' Mr. Hildreth said com passionatly as the door closed behind him Vance looked up from his desk at the room far end to say:
 No He happens to live just 500 years too late. His is one of the souls made for crusades and jousts to the death for liege's name or lady's glove. His superb impracticality is quite out of place ill this late nineteenth century. But, do you know, whenever he passes take off my hat and stand bareheaded even to his shadow"
 Its a contest in Quixotism betwixt him and young Fauntleroy. Why, talk of the devil. There he iG now. Give you good day, young gentleman. What brings you with such a face of concern