Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1896-01-08
MFFINTOWN JUNIATA JANUARY se

woras conrerring the Eift The bon
and key once In his possession, Van
dellar dismissed the awed witnesses
to their customary duties.
DR.. vandellar rapidly removed his
apparatus to the surgery; and then.
having returned to Sir Michaers room.
he again summoned MallinRer and in
formed her that the poor old gentleman
had suddenly passed away.
At this juncture, and before Van
dellar had an opportunity Of opening
the box and gloating over its contents,
two unexpected visitors were stimuli
taneously announced. One was Har-
old Trefusis; the other was Moses
Marx. vandellar decided to be at
home to both, but he saw Marx first
"well," he inquired. impatiently
what brought you back 80 soon?"
IT Just called to see II you were
Keeping cool. Doctor-I mean. I hope
you amt going to do anything so wick
cd a. to commit suicide. Think what
a dreadful thing 1t is-and remember
that suicide invalidates your life in
~urance, my friendr'
vandellar laughed. Then he hastily
explained the circumstances, though
not the modus operandi of the gift Of
the box.
"Now," he said, "as the bonds and
jewelry will be deposited at my bank
as soon as the doors open in the morn.
ing, suppose you will take my check
In exchange for the bill?"
Marx was anxious to get rid Of the
oil, and he knew that the Doctors
check. though 1t might not be met.
would be a safer thing to sue upon than
a bill he admitted he knew to be forged
when he cashed 1t, SO he made but lit
tie demur, merely asking. ''as a matter
Of bithness," IL the bonds were really
In the box.
II saw them there yesterday" said
vandellar, truthfully. els that good
enough for your"
Marx thought 1t was. and handed the
for the latter's check. The Doctor then
tore the discriminating paper into frag.
ments, which he threw into the fire.
"Now, come along, Marx" he cried,
"and support me in my interview with
the despoiled heir"'
The pair proceeded to the library,
where they found Harold Trefusis i'm
patiently waiting.
II am told that my Uncle Michael Is
dead" said Harold. ITS a surprise
to me, as he seemed rather better this
relative, should like to see the poor
old gentleman, and to take formal pos
session Of his effects"
81 shall be very glad II you will do
So" said Vandellar, smiling blandly,
"though I must make an exception of
the iron bcx in which, as you know,
your lamented uncle kept all his bonds
payable to bearer and his Indian jew
els. That box and its contents. Sir
Michael gave to me, in the presence of
witnesses, about an hour before his
DEATH"
"Whatr' exclaimed the young man.
MY uncle give you that box and its
contents? why"
pray be calm." interrupted vandel-
lar. "Of course. If your uncle left no
will you, as heir-at-law, inherit all his
property, and the loss of the bonds and
Jewels Is naturally Irritating. Still
"Still," echoed Harold. Il can't I'M
derstand my uncle giving you the box.
Are you sure he was In his right mind
when he did so?"
"Your uncle. sir. was as sane as You
or l." said Vandellar, with admirably
assumed dignity. 'as the witnesses in
whose presence the gift was made will
readily testify"
"Then," said Harold, decisively, 'Tl
| Uncle Michael was sane l am mad. for
| this afternoon he handed me the whole
| Of the contents Of the box, ordering me
to deposit them at his bankers. lie
nearly left 1t too late, for though
dashed out Of this house and hurried to
the bank only reached it as the doors
| were about to be closed"
vandellar and Marx stared blankly
| at each other. The Doctor sent for the
box. 1t was opened and its total empti
ness proved beyond a doubt that Har
old Trefusis was perfectly sane.
|
Mr. Marx, despite the plea Of poverty
has still money to lend on Favorable
TERMS" but DR.. vandellar's condition
proves that the wicked do not always
flourish like a green bay tree.-Tid
Bits.