The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-27

uncle over his shoulder. This is where I |
keep my win. You would like TO see it, |
No. indeed, sir" SAID Gascoigne hastily. |
dreading that his uncle might be disposed |
to crafty him.
Not curious enough, eh?' snarled old |
Barker. We'll. that's a good thing. You
would be disappointed. can tell you. Don't
expect anything from me-
much overwhelmed by the consciousness of
having the will in his pocket to appreciate
the humor of the situation.
Quite disinterested eh2 Mark my words,
young man, not one farthing will you get
by your profession. Do you hear?' cried
the old gentleman, cooking his eye at him.
Yes, sir, answered Gascoigne, with toll
cradle comDosure
Then you had better set about it, Not
but what you have silently of time" he
added hastily. I'm good for twenty years
yet-the doctor says So.
TIM glad to hear it." said Gascogne du-
NO, you're not All the same, it is as
well for you that you should have a few
years to work up a practice in, for. if /
We're 10 die Tomorrow, you would get
nothing
Are you going out, sir?" inquired Cas-
NAUTICAL utteranee.
Yes; I'm going to take that box to my
half of the cab fare" replied his iid uncle Gle
chqckling at this CHARACTERISTIC joke.
lie de rang m the bell and sent his man for
escorted his amiable relative, while the por-
ter carried the tin box. If his uncle had
been in an observant mood he would have
remarked that the young man submitted,
with much better grace than usual. to his
prising, for it is not difficmit to be long
suffering with an elderly relation when one
knows he has manifested his benevolence
other hand, the awkward fact that he was
carrying off. clandestinely, the old mans
Will was sufficiently disconcerting to rem
der Gascoigne a trif1e absent.
When he had deposited his uncle and his
TN box at the bank-after duly paying his
moiety of the cab fare-Gascoigne had leis-
ure to reflect upon the predicament he had
placed himself in. Needless to say that he
bitterly repented of his unpardonable cur
iosity it would be more just to dwell upon
his honest shame at what he had done.
1t seemed to him that only two courses
We're open to him; one the more honorable
was to return the document frankly to
and say nothing. The latter plan was the
one which he finally adopted, not much
from self-interested motives as because he
mans wrath. The more he thought about
the matter. the more bitterly ashamed
tune, he regarded that as absolutely and
forever forfeited, whichever course he took.
ne ne %od his fault he EnSg that his
The same thing would happen if he kept
his own counsel, for it was inevitable that
the old man must, sooner or later, miss his
will, and it would be quite natural and
easy to conjecture how it had disappeared.
of evils; and he simply elected to spare
himself the scourge Of his uncles tongue
There are natures which need the slim
illus of some unforeseen event or misfor-
tune to awake their slumbering energies.
This was the case of Gascoigne, for being
he had done would be to deprive him of
his looked-for inheritance. he applied him
of earning a livelihood. He had many
friends and some influential connections,
but, more important still, he possessed tai
ent to which he had never hitherto at
tempted to do justice. A lucky chance, the
absence of learned leader in notorious
case. afforded him an opportunity of MAX
ing name, and almost without effort-so
great lottery is success at the bar!-he
found himself in position which was en-
WED by his contemporaries.
The process occupied nearly three years,
and during this period he avoided the So
ciety of his uncle much as possible. He
was haunted by a constant dread of the
discovery of his secret. and was more than
ker, on his part grudgingly acknowledged
his success. and was disposed to be more
gracious: until at length, having invited
his nephew to dinner evening, and en-
tertGned him royalty, he said quite good
humoredly:
Il suppose you making $500 year
now?'
Yes" replied Gascoigne.
would like to know what is in it, l ex-
pect?"
Il do know, SIR" said Gascoigne impnl-
what exclaimed the old man.
YOU eco M that at dnH any hen To left 5r
tin box unlocked upon the table here? In
your absence | opened edit, it. saw saw your viii,
of reading it. You returned suddenly. be-
fore ] was able to. replace it: so I have
kept it ever since" exclaimed Gascoigne,
very pale and Shamefaced.
There painful silence for fully a
minute: the old mans evil eye seemed
positively to glare upon the offender, who
looked precisely as he felt; and then Cas-
coigne said:
1T was mean trick, but I'm heartily
ashamed of myself and l beg your par
''And that is to be end of it. eh?''
sneered the old man, slowly recovering
from his amaZement.
Il expect not said Gascoigne half de-
Your cousin ought to be much obliged
to you" said old Barker with harsh
laugh
She needs the money more than t.
said Gascogne.
What is more, it shall come to her from
your own hand roared the old man, pur-
Il don't understand said Gascoigne
quietly.
Very well, sir.
You shall take it down from my dtcta-
ton.
LAS you please. 1t is rather like signing
my own death warrant" said Gascoigne
with a nervous laugh
so it is: so much the better; serves you
right. There's a sheet of paper and a pen
over yonder. Sit you down" said the old
Poor Gascoigne obeyed silently and not
without an uncomfortable Dang. 1t was
as he had said. uncommonly like signing
his own deatn-warrant; but after all, it
was only what he had anticipated, and he
felt a certain sense of relief at having un-
b1rdened his conscience.
4 suppose you had better have the pic
lures and the things here. said the old
man grudgingly. She wouldn't appreciate
en-.
THANK you, sir" said Gascoigne meek
ly.
There may be few pounds at bank
not worth speaking Of In fact, this viii
may as well be in similar terms as the |
last with your name and MargaretS re-
versed" said old Barker: with his malev-
client old eye glistenfng.
margaret is to be residuary legatee |
in fact said Gascogne. with sinking
heart.
Yes How much do people say I'm
WORTH
..One hundred thousand pounds at least" |
answered Gascoigne, with assumed indiffer- |
ence.
s'Ah, good round sum to lose for a little |
curjesitv isn't it?" sneered old Barker.
ut cant be helped" said Gascoigne philo- |
sophically. a.,
Yes" said Gascoigne, grasDing his pen |
firmly.