Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1895-03-02
AVENGED AT LAST;
Or, a Worldwide Chase.
A STORY OF RETRIBUTIoN.
ny "wABASH."
looPyRioHr. ispo.l
CHAPTER XIV.


veyed to the Now England village whore
he had expressed desire to be buried.
Mrs Dollar, and Armida accompanied
the body, rs also did Mr.. Blodger, and
rs the last rites were administered that
soft-hearted old gentleman wiped away
big tears from his eyes with haring
red silk handkerchief He could hardly
think 1t true that the close friend Of his
early days had been carried of so sud-
denly and 1t was with sad heart that
he turned his back on the grave There
was no ostentatious display; every thing
was simple as the honest old million
aires life had been. He had but few
friends during life whom he could call
friends and three OF them wept at his
grave.
Hearing OF his death large number
Of his relations had presented them
selves at his house in New York and
commenced interferences which were
boldly and dccisivcly checked by Mrs.
Dclaro and the lawyers. Many OF them
were persons who treated the dead mill.
ionaire very badly before he migrated
TO California, but they had often en-
deavorcd to become more intimate with
him In later years. These he had sue
cessfully kept at arms length; nevcrthe-
less they rallied like carrion crows,
filled with the fond hope that no had
not forgotten his relations In his last
hours, and all expected that their names
would be found in the will in conncc-
ton with fat lcgacies. Had they boon
mindful of tho old proverb how much
less severe would have been their dis
appointment
In most cases they were ignored al
together and only q few OF their
names were mentioned in the will
which was few weeks later
admitted to probate. To the astoa:sh-
ment OF all, and more especially to the
New England relatives, the bulk OF
Joel Wilcox's wealth including mining
and railroad stocks representing cnorm-
Gus sums he bequea.hed to Percy Lowell.
To Mrs. Dclaro he left nearly all his
California estates and among them was
the Posada vineyard which was now
once more the property " the Delaros.
TO Armida he gave his beautiful
mansion and grounds IN the Sonoma
valley, AMI the go.t OF his few
requests consisted Of various sums left
to charitable institutions and those OF
his relatives for whom he had still re-
tanned some regard. This, briefly, was
tho last will and testament Of Joel
Wilcox.
1t was not until his body was laid to
rest that Mrs. Delaro thoroughly COM
pretended how true AMI staunch
friend she had lost, ald she now felt
very much alone in the world. True,
her daughter remained; but the stout
hearts who had passed their word to
assist her in every way to accomplish
the purpose Of hor life had left her side
and she had grave fears that her
Efforts might now fall short OF her one
cherished desire.
Tho house in which Mr.. Wilcox had
died soon became too drcary place for
Armida to be confined in and her mother
noticed 1t. 1t would never do to see
the healthy color leave those checks
change must be sought, and that very
soon. Yet something ought TO DO
learned of Percy Lowell, thought Mrs.
Delaro. What was to be learned came
soon to hand, but 1t was cminently un.
satisfactory.
Tho letter from tho American Consul
at Ducnos Ayrcs merely stated that
gentleman travelling rs Mr.. byron
lluntly had appeared in that city, but
his stay had b,an only brief one. lilo
had taken trip into tho interior, ho
said, and nothing had been heard from
him since. but as such occurrences
were not infFcqucnt 1t had caused no So
rious Investigations to bo made, though
should any other news come to hand the
Consul promised to advise Mr.. Wilcox.
This letter did not arrive until after
Mr.. Wilcox's death, AMI 1t troubled
Mrs. Dclaro not little. Sho had heard
that Mr. limerick was again in Now
York. and she had advised Mrs. Bregy
Of the fact, but had not seen that good
woman since.
Some few weeks later another letter
arrived from Buenos Ayres conveying
tho sad intelligence that the body OF
man. dressed exactly rs thu supposed
Mr.. lluntly was known to have dressed,
had been taken from tho river few miles
below San Nicholas, the last place from
whence tidings OF the traveller had been
received.
This communication was great blow
to Mrs. Oelaro. What should she de
now that she had no adviser left? And
how should she complete tho only pur-
pose she acknowledged in her life?
Then there was all that idle wealth OF
Pcrcy's, loft him by Mr.. Wilcox-what
woull becom, Of that? She finally felt
that the thought OF ell that had hap
pcned within the past few months would
be too much for her among such close
associations and constant reminders Of
1t, so sho resolved to 60 away and sock
in change Of scenes ut least little re-
pose. She would leave every thing In
tho lawyers hands and 70 to Europe.
While these thoughts wero passing
through her mind Armida walked into
buo IOon WucFS ucE uObucK was bAbbluS
and said that Mr.. Dlodger had just made
o hurried visit and had boon speaking
OF Mrs Drcyy. lie had told her that 1t
was almost impossible to get tho
Frenchwoman to leave New York. now
that she knew that Mr.. limerick. whom
she still persisted In abiding to as her
husband, was in town. She had avowed
her intention Of seeing him face TO
face, though her efforts up to the pres
emit had proved unsuccessful To-day
shc had learned that he was down at his
oilcc very often far into the night and
she was determined to approach him and
demand m interview that very evening.
But fearing that some harm might betall
her, Mr. Blodyer had gone down to Mt.
Emerfclr's Office TO try and induce tho