Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-24

Iawyer naQ every reason to think we'll "a man, in short, of some station in the country-desired to make Francis on annual allowance of f5oo. The cap 1tal was to be placed under the control Of the lawyers firm and two trustees, who must also remain anonymous. There were conditions annexed to this liberality, but he was of opinion that his new client would find nothing ei- ther excessive or dishonorable in the terms. and he repeated these two words with emphasis, as though he de- sired to commit himself to nothing more.
 Francis asked their nature.
 "The conditions,' said the writer to the signet, "are, as I have twice re- marked, neither dishonorable nor ex- cessive. At the same time I cannot conceal from you that they are most unusual. Indeed the whole case is very much out of our way, and 1 should cer- tainly. have refused it had it not been for the reputation of the gentleman who intrusted it to my care and, let me add, MT. .Scrymgeour, the interest I have been led to take in yourself by many complimentary and, have no doubt, well deserved reports"
 Francis entreated him to be more specific. s-.4
 You cannot picture my uneasiness as to these conditions" he said.
 "They are two," replied the lawyer, 'only two, and the sum, as you will re- member, is E5O0 a year, and unbur- dened, forgot to add, unburdened.'
 And the lawyer raised his eyebrows at him with solemn gusto.
 "The first" he resumed, lis of re- markable simplicity. You must be in Paris by the afternoon of Sunday, the 18th. There you will find. at the box office of the Comedie Francaise, tick ct for admission taken in your name and waiting you. You are requested to sit out the Whole performance in the seat provided, and that is all"
 T should certainly have preferred a weekday" replied Francis. "But, aft CT all, once in a way
 ''And in Paris, my dear sir" added the lawyer soothingly. ''I believe am something of a precisian myself, but upon such consideration, and in Par is, should not hesitate an instant"
 And the pair laughed pleasantly to- gether.
 "The other is of more importance" continued the writer to the signet. Tt regards your marriage. My client, talk ing deep interest in your welfare, de sires to advise you absolutely in the choice of wife-absolutely you under stand" he repeated.
 "Let us be more explicit, if you please,'' returned Francis. Am I to marry any one, maid or widow, black or white, whom this invisible person chooses to propose? ?"
 T was to assure you that suitability of age and position should be a princt- pie with your benefactor," replied the lawyer. "As to race, confess the diff ficulty had not occurred to me- and failed to inquire, but, if you like, will make a note of it at once and advise you on the earliest opportunity"
 "Sir," said Francis, it remains to be seen whether this whole affair is not 8 most unworthy fraud. The circum stances are inexplicable-I had almost said incredible-and until see little more daylight and some plausible mo tive confess should be very sorry tc put a hand to the transa ction. I ap peal to you in this difficulty for infor nation. I must learn what is at the bottom of it all. If you do not know cannot guess or are not at liberty tt tell me, shall take my hat and go bacl to my bank as I came"
 "I do not know" answered the law. yer, 'but I have an excellent guess Your father, and no one else, is at the l root of this apparently unnatural bust ness"
 My fatherv' cried Francis in ex treme disdain. Worthy man, know every thought of his mind, every penny l of his fortune"
 You misinterpret my words" said | the lawyer. II do not refer to MT Scrymgeour, Sr.. for he Is not youl ! father. When he and his wife came tt l Edinburgh, you were already nearly one year old, and you had not yet beer l three months in their care. The secret has been well kept, but such is tht l fact. Your father is unknown, and | say again that believe him to be the original of the offers I am at present charged to transmit to ycu.'
 1t would be impossible to exaggerate the astonishment of Francis Scrym geour at this unexpected information He pleaded this confusion to the law yer.
 "Sir,' said he, "after piece of news so startling you must grant me some hours for thought. You shall know this evening what conclusion I have 1 reached
 The lawyer commended his prudence and Francis, excusing himself upor some pretext at the bank, took long walk into the country and fully consid cred the different steps and aspects O the case. A pleasant sense of his ow1 importance rendered him the more de liberate, but the issue was from tn l first not 1a1IhffJI1 TUhnln oorna