The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-02-09

his wife, her mothers sister, and with
her mothers friend, Mrs. Meredith.
If her stepfather and stepbrother did
not like it, that was not the time for
them TO say so, or TO employ author
ity.
The house was regained and was re-
entered by the family party, and no.
body else seemed to notice that Judge
Wickham went in last, and that, as he
did so, he took the key out of the door
and put it in his pocket.
"Wickham," seid Mr. Lapham, as
the old lawyer joined the rest in the
parlor, "come in here a moment. /
can't open the safe. Nobody else
knows the combination, but it won't
open. Her will is there"
"Try it again, Jacob--try it again,
said the judge, placidly. you've
been too agitated, too nervous"
"We'll have to have it blown open"
said Mr.. Lapham; "but just to show
how it is"
And he did try it, with ostentatious
precision, in full confidence that the
lock would continue its obstinacy, but
when he remarked, "Therel" and gave
a hard pull, open flew the door of the
safe and its contents were ON public
exhibition.
''I declared" exclaimed Mr.. Lap
ham, springing to his feet. Remark
abler'
"There's the will, " said Judge Wick
ham, calmly, as he sent long arm in
and pulled out paper lying in full
view.
The eyes Of Jacob Lapham were
frantically searohing the interior of
the big iron 8; for something which
they did not seem to find.
"That is all. All correct, continued
Judge Wickham. deacon Morris
and are executors. Everything goes
to Madeleinel I'll take possession at
once. That is, I'll leave her in full
possession.
"Give me that paperl" roared Jacob
Lapham. "It isn't the will"
Eyes, it is!' replied the judge. 81
know the signatures. I saw it put
there. 1 was here. It's all right,
Jacob"
''There's another will! The safe
has been robbedl Money missing!
Papers missing! I'm robbed"
'It isn't your safe, Jacob; it is Miss
Lanes safe. If there is another will,
produce it"
"Leave the housel I'm in control
herel Get outl Tn in possession!
'I think not" answered Judge
Wickham. "Your authority has
ceased. Miss Lane is in possession.
She is absolute, unquestionable owner.
You and Steve must go!'
1t was of little use to storm, but OF
course there was storm, and it was
all the worse because of the bewilder-
ing conduct of that safe. 1t con-
tanned no other will, and when Judge
Wickham shut it up it almost seemed
to wink at him. The Judge did not
storm, but he was firm, and so was
Madeleine, and she, too, was calm,
although she remarked:
! "If Stephen were gentleman he
would not wish to remain, knowing,
rs he does, how utterly / detest him.
After what you have said and done,
Mr.. Lapham, you must go at once.
All that belongs to you has been put
into your own room.
"Come upstairs" Steve" said his
father; and as soon as they were in
Steve's room, he added: "Wickham
is going ont to fiLd Morris. As soon
as he is gone we will search that safe. !"
"Well clean it out, too" said
Steve.
Hardly had they left the library,
however, before Jefferson Meredith
came in from the dining-room, where
he had passed most of his time during
the funeral services, and once more
he worried the lock of the safe little.
"Is it all right, Jeff?" asked Judge
Wickham. Gam not 1 to know the
new combination? Can't you explain
it to me?"
Simplest thing in the world" said
JEFF ''Lots of people remember their
safe combinations that way. The rid
die was no riddle at all. "
Independence. Fourth of July,
and the days of the week? How was
it? / must say it's a riddle to me"
"Why," said JEFF, "don't you see it?
The year, 1776. The days, 7. d.
vide so-17-7-76. TO get your three
numbers. Twist the knob the usual
way. That did it,"
Chow is it now?" asked the lawyer.
"All independence and freedom, 4"
said JEFF. ut is 17-2l-76, and
that's what'll puzzle old Jacob when
he comes down stairs. But it's good
thing to know how to set and reset a
lock.
JEFF was in another part of the house
when the Laphams were puzzled, but
he knew how it was. Even the lock
seemed to enjoy it as they tried TO
make it once more remember its old
numbers.
cts an awful riddle, Steve, ="
groaned old Jacob; "but we can't get
in.
That, alas for them, meant that
their plot had failed and that they
must get out.
Only a few weeks later Jefferson
Meredith was slowly, thoughtfully
turning a plain gold ring upon one Of
Mrs. Madeleine Merelith's fingers.
II feel so safe now, she said; "and
it is what mother would have wished.
Madeleine" he answered her,
"there are some combinations Of
which only God knows the secret.