The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-17

er killed him or rendered him hopeless
lyiutbeclfe. Fortunately for him, these
dreadful Contingencies we're hverted By
the sudden death Of the old lady who
expired IN her sleep without having
given the tllghteat indication OF her ap-
preaching end.
The sad event had much the same
effect upon the bereaved husband as q
summer shower has upon q parched
garden II revived him instantly, and
called forth all former energy and We
tally. Ills frst step was to make a
minute end careful examination OF the
deceased lady'S effects, without, as he
had anticipated, finding trace OF q
Will. The precaution was hardly neceE-
snry, for he was certain she had not
made one.l but the search satisfied hlg
mind, and he lost no time In venting his
revengefnl feelings against Mr. Numb.
He nursed his resentment Entil the
day OF the funeral. but Immediately up
on his return from following his wife to
the Grave he summoned the butler to
his presence. The man ahuttied Into the
room With hang-d0g look, as though
he anticipated his fate. but Mr.. Flint
shire remarked that his expression was
lnsolent and defiant.
Numb said his m0Sted. sharply.
you viii be good enough to leave this
house within an hour. I won't stnnd
anF more lnsOlence, and 1t was only out
OF consideration for the poor lady who
has gone that have borne with you 10
long ] Will pay you q months wages,
and warn you not to attempt to make
of with Any OF my property"
Two can play at that game" snarled
the butler, fumbling In his pocket, and
producing a document Suppose this
house andieverythlng In It was my pro-
pertT, and was TO ask you to clear
out: what would you soy them"
ut Is perfectly idle proposition"
said Mr.. Flintshlrc, loftily What Is
that paper?"
ut Is COPY OF the old lady's viii. My
lawyer has the original"
rs It dated since my marriage?" in
Qulred Mr.. FlIntshlre, with a shade OF
anxiety.
"oh, no!-long before" said the but
.er. with grin.
"Then It Is not worth the paper It Is
written on. said Mr.. F'lintshire. waving
aside the document. II don't want to
ace H. II is of no consequence what
ever"
II shouldn't he too sure II I was YOU"
returned Numb. malicIously. ~ fancy
you Will iouGh on the other side Of your
mouth before the day Is out"
Get out OF my sight this Instant"
cried Mr.. Fllntshlre. losing his temper.
"If you have not left the house within
en- hour / shall send for the police"
The butler appeared quite unmoved
BY this threat and disappeared with
perfect self-possesslon. His confident air
troubled Mr.. FlIntshire little, though
he hardly knew why. 1t was obvious
that the man did not believe that the
will he spoke OF was void, but that was
only his ignorance. Nevertheless. Mn
| Fiintshire resolved to cnii Immediately
upon the firm OF solicitors who had
been in the habit Of acting as his witc's
| legal advisers. and accordingly he hall
| ed a passing hanson, and drove 70 Lin
coins Inn.
Are you Mr.. Fllntshlre?" inquired
| tie senior member of the firm-"the
gentleman who recently married our
| late client. Mrs.-Mrs. Mumblewood?"
Yes" answered Mr.. Flintshlre struck
/ with uneaslness at something strange
In the lawyers tone and manner "Pos-
| sibly you were unaware Of our mar
rlage."
II never heard OF It till to-day. re-
/ gret to say have TO make most ex-
traord!nary and painful Communication
to you" said the lawyer, speaking as
though he could hardly realize what he
! was abou. to sag. II have had Mr..
Numb here this morning, and It was
from him heard OF your-your mar
.Iage"
Good heavens. what Is the matter?'
/ uaspcd Mr.. FlIntshire. beside himself
| with nervous apprehension.
II really hardly like to break the
news 10 you, but the fac. is our client
was secretly married 10 Nir. Numb some
years ago. had no idea OF It It'll this
morning. 1t is the most extraordinary
state OF things ever heard OF In my
life," said the lawyer, leaning back in
his chair.
ITS a LEA base. Infamous conspir-
acy!" cried Mr.. Flintshlre, foaming at
| the mouth.
( "Prn afraid II Is true! In fact. since
seeing Mr.. Numb have inspected the
marriage registry at Somerset House"
/