The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-10-20


with Lewis AS he entered be heard the
squire say:
ST suppose, Mr. Lewis, that you will
sleep here tonight, as this house is now
yours:'
1t occurred to Burrows at once that
this was his opportunity to continue the
line of inquiry suggested by Mr.. Barnes
in his note. Therefore, without wait
ing for Lewis to reply, he said:
esquire, you say this house is now
the property of this young man. l hope
both of you will pardon my asking
whether will has been found. .
81 am not at all offended said
Lewis promptly "That is very proper
question. Squire, do you know anything
about this?''
"Why, yes! ! should have spoken to
you before. I have the will in my pock-
ct now. It was given into my keeping
by your father, some time ago. I donot,
however, know its contents, except that
am named as one of the executors, for
he had the document drawn in Boston
and gave it into my hands in sealed
envelope. Here it is, as I received it. :"
He drew forth legal looking envelope
of large proportions "Shall open lt!''
Lewis nodded, and Burrows was too
curious to know its contents to call at
tention to the fact that it might be as
we'll not to read the will until notice
could be given to other possible bene-
fciaries under its provisions. The squire
forthwith opened and read the paper. In
substance it was to the effect that the
house and all available funds should
become the unconditional property of
Virginia Lewis. There was clause IN
which an allusion was made; to the son;
but, far from making him legatee, it
was plainly explained that Lewis pere
considered that his son had forfeited all
claim upon his bounty, and therefore no
direct provision was made for his re-
ceiving any part of the estate. But there
was request that, in case the young
man should return home, Virginia
should do for him whatever his circum-
stances seemed to require.
Burrows listened with close attention
and quoted this clause with much IN
terest. Here was evidence that the
young man, then present, could not
have committed the crime with the GER
tainty of inheriting. Lewis then said:
s'Well, gentlemen, it seems that am
not the owner of this house after all,
and therefore cannot sleep here without
the permission of my cousin. But sup
pose you can arrange that much for me,
at least?" He appealed to the squire,
who replied:
81 am sure of it. Virgie would not
turn stranger from her roof, and am
confident that when she understands
that you are so near relative she will
offer you the hospitality which is due to
you. In fact, if know her character, /
doubt if she will accept the property at
all, now that you have returned. /"
"Once more, said Burrows, II hope
you will see that am speaking con-
scientiously when I remind you, Mr..
Lewis, that you have given us no proof
of your identity Of course your word
alone was sufficient this morning when
we were coming here. We expected to
find Mr.. Lewis alive, and itWould have
been his privilege to satisfy any doubt
But now, Under the peculiar circum-
stances, I tope you don't miscontrue
my motives -
.sNot in the least. - replied Lewis.
"You are investigating a murder and
are right to demand a Thorough expla-
nation of my movements ard proof OF
my identity. I am stranger to you,
and you have but my unsupported word.
I am more glad than sorry that am
disinherited by my fathers will 1 did
not deserve any consideration at his
hands anyway, and under the distress
ing circumstances, and considering my
appearance just after his violent death,
were I his heir it might seem-you un-
derstand? I might be implicated!'
Nonsense! Nonsense!" exclaimed
the squire. No one would think such a
thing" The squire's positive assertion
made Burrows feel little uncomfort-
able, for he was inwardly conscious that
he was entertaining the very idea at
that moment. Lewis continued:
GAS to my identity, fortunately !
foresaw thas the time might some day
come when I should wish to prove to
my father that am indeed his son.
Therefore I have carefully preserved the
last three letters which I received from
him, determined, should it ever be.
necessary, to produce them as proof OF
my identity, in the event Of his failing
to recall my changed face. Now he is
dead, but the evidence thus attainable
assumes, it seems. au increased value. |
have preserved the letters in my pocket
book through all these years. and FROM
frequent reading they are not i'll a very
perfect condition, though I hope suf-
fciently deoipherable for you at,least,
squire, to recognize their genuineness. "
So saying, he produced q dilapidated
wallet and took from it three letters,
apparently quite old. They were in en-