The Savannah morning news., 1904-05-29
The MISSING MIN 1 INA :!!:!:! HATCH
By AAPYR. ?. HATCH.
Author of
1.-THE Bank Tragedy"

neither profit nor favor in it, and more
than one advised him to drop the mat
ter at once. Old Squire Elmwood said
TO him:
Now, take an old mans advice. Go
no further, for suits are like curses,
sometimes. They come home to roost.
The case would certainly go against
you, and the next thing you would be
indicted for PERJURY"
Mr.. ElmwOod, you did not once look
upon me as a man who would attempt
TO set up a false claim"
I never knew you, Mr.. Edes," said
the lawyer, coldly, but my advice is
good"
That night a letter reached Con-
stance at the hotel.
Dear Constance; did not
mean to address you or ask
you for help. But what can I
do? No lawyer will undertake my
case. They think me poor, without
credit, and an imposter. For your
sake. for all our sakes, l cannot give
up so. You have money. Will you risk
it in making plain the mystery which
enwraps our lives? My property is in
the hands of a villain, though my own
brother and. of course, l cannot use
it. Think of it. He Will use my money
TO fight my claims to it. Could fate
judgment in helping me. l would not
ask your aid if I could help it, for ]
know the act will be misinterpreted by
others, if not by you. Can you ad-
wise me of anything better?
Your husband.
Vane Hamilton.
Constance looked at the letter with
I alarm. > bold declaration. those last
! lines And he asked for her advice
I evidently seeing nothing out of place
i in II nor in the request ror monetary
aid
She sat long time in deep thought,
and then, with sudden resolution
! dressed herself with exceeding plain
ness and went out on to the street
walking in the direction of the office OF
| Morley & Stevens. Morley was the
| first lawyer in the county. and Stew
ems was scarcely less distinguished.
! They were the first TO whom Edes had
! applied.
Mrs. Hamilton was well known to
! them and highly esteemed. Both MEM
| bers of the firm We're. as it CHANGED
| in the Office. and both wondered, not
little. at her errand.
| She did not give them long to spec
u!ate.
Il called to see you in regard to
the rival claims of two men, each pro-
! Tossing to Re Vane Hamilton. my hus-
band" she said. with much composure
and dignity.
"4h! Strange, very strange! Edes
came to see US about this claim, but
we dismissed him.
Il am sorry that you did
Sorry, my dear Mrs. Hamilton
Yes. You perceive the case is 4
very serious one. I could wish that
it might be as ably conducted as il
would be to have you and Mr.. Stevens
upon one side and Stone & Ferguson
OH the other; for in that case should
know it would be well considered. -
You have doubts. then, l conclude
which is the real Vane Hamilton 4"
Il have. Even if these doubts were
! less slight than they are. I should
| wish for a thorough examination
| Therefore, I wish you could be in.
! duced TO alter your determination tC
act as counsel for the person known
| as Primus Edes. will even go 81
far as to pledge myself to pay thC
| costs -
Indeed, you surprise me. madam"
"Ah. but you do not understand the
wearing anxiety of my daily life.
would give much to have il over: and
| there is no way. is there, except tC
bring the matter to trial?"
That is the best way" said Mr..
| Morley. glancing at his partner.
The other claimant" continued Con-
stance. has funds at his command.
Therefore, 1 have no need to aid him.
but 1 wish TO have everything brought
to light, every circumstance weighed,
and to do this both sides must be we'll
presented"
VERY true. madam"
do I understand that you will re-
consider your refusal, Mr.. Morley?"
Undoubtedly. We will talk with the
person hitherto known as Edes, and
report to you later"
"Oh, thank you. You perceive,