St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-01-10

u handsome allowance to leave her,
''Then what on earth does she want
to marry me fort" questioned Grimes.
Frankison smiled at his astonish-
ment, and handed him photo of
an exceedingly pretty girl. Grimes
held 1T at arms length for few
moments, without speaking.
Its no use," he said, with a sigh /;
"a young lady so good-looking as she
will have no difficulty in obtaining
lovers enough, without having to
descend to take Orwell, a gaolbird,
Out with it; I suppose you have some
| job or other on hand'
Frankison sat down and swallowed
Il stiff glass of whisky, then, after
a momentary hesitation, commenced
to unfold his scheme.
'The young lady whose photo
have just shown you is my cousin.
From child she has been of deli
cate nature, and is even now recov-
ering but slowly from the effects of
a dangerous illness. This illness, I
may tell you, was the cause of her
wedding being postponed. Now that
she is convalescent, however, her low
er insists upon the marriage taking
place at once, in order that he may
take her abroad to try and regain
her health. This wedding must not
take place."
"Why?"
Because" he continued. drawing
his chair closer and lowering his
voice, because in the event of her
dying before marriage, her property
IN accordance with her fathers will,
reverts to me. If she marries, she
is perfectly at liberty to dispose of
it as she thinks fit
"And, naturally, you intend to get
the money" returned Grimes. "But
how? I'll tell you candidly I'm no
good at murders"
"Wen, I want you,' continued
Erankison, ''to put this fellow Thomp-
son out Of the way the night before
the ceremony. You will then take
his place at the church next morn
ing, Disgusting yourself, in the man.
ner you understand so well, to pass
for him, and get married to the
young lady. Immediately after the
affair is over you will make some
excuse for retiring a few moments
and clear off. Your absence will prob
ably have the effect l require without
resorting to further measures, but
10 make assurances doubly certain
] you will take care to acQuaint her, by
letter, with the exact state of af-
fairs, laying particular stress on the
fact that you have more than pass
ing acquaintance with the inside of a
| prison. The latter portion of your
letter will make you particularly OBJ
| jectionable in her eyes, and will
doubtless make her agree to your
terms for silence. The false position
she will be placed in and the scandal
likely to accrue from the publication
of the true facts of the case
will to her mind, assume such
fearful proportions that they will, I
am certain, preclude the possibility of
any action being taken to declare the
marriage null, or of prosecuting you.
| Nevertheless, her grief and mortitica-
ton will be none the less poignant,
and eventually prey upon her mind
| to such an extent, even if she sur
wives the shock of your disclosures,
that 1 shall soon be the richer by
about 1000 year. For your part
| in the matter, propose to pay you
| the sum of 6 500"
Grimes held out his hand dramati-
cally "Shake," he said. eff I adj
mire anything, it is a man good at
his business. I've seen good many
Williams, but, man, you could give
them all points. Nevertheless" he
| continued, adopting a familiar tone,
now that Frankison had divulged his
secret, "this is matter that re-
quires thoroughly reviewing, old
| chap. You want me to engage my
ever concocted, take all the risks.
! do away with fellow (who, for any
thing 1 know, will probably cause a
lot of trouble), get married-the at
| tendant risks of which are, under the
best of circumstances, worth more
than the amount you so generously
offer-morally, if not legally, murder
girl, and leave the country-it can't
de done-for e 500"
Frankison eyed him savagely,
and paced the room in thought.
| He resented the familiarity in
the mans voice. "Six hundred" he
exclaimed, at last. Grimes shook his
head negatively.
Frankison sat down white with an
ger. Suppose / tell you little
story" he commenced; and without
waiting for an answer proceeded. "A
few years ago young swell entered
one of the principal banks in London
and cashed check for a fairly large
amount. This was, of course, dis
covered to be forgery. A few
months afterward he attempted the
same trick, but with disastrous re-
suits. He was Immediately recog-
nized, although to certain extent
disguised. and detained. He accom-
plished his escape, however, by half
killing his captoc. No doubt you
know the man." He ceased, and
smiled grim]y at the confusion plain
ly showing itself on Grimes features.
81 do not think you have been
continued. "Shall we say 600; it is
charged with that matter yet he
good price to pay for what cannot
be called other than a little decep-
ton"
Grimes swore horribly. The story
cast a reflection on his professional
capabilities that affected his mind
more than the danger he was men
aced with. Before leating the house,