Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-09-12

replied Mr.. Ford.
rs John Williams alive?" asked
Mr.. Surge in low voice.
He is dead" said Lord Beau
mont.
WILLIAMS is dead" said Mr.. Ford;
but Slime, the other witness, is, as
you know. alive"
Il hope SO" said Cyril, gravely
Philip Dyce looked up with pas
sionate exclamation.
why does this fellow interfere
in this matter?" he demanded.
You forget, Mr.. Dyce," said
Cyril, Il am speaking on behalf
of Miss Dale, whose property is in
jeopardy. l have her authority to
confer with Mr. Ford, who is her
solicitor, not yours; You are The in
truder here at present, for notwith-
standing the discovery of the docu-
ment, Lorme Abbey is still Miss
Dale's, and she is mistress here!"
Philip Dyce bit his lips.
''Sline then, is the only witness,
said Cyril; Mr.. Surge here is a
lawyer; of course you gentlemen will
say whether one witness is suf-
ficient."
quite" said Mr.. Surge, gravely
at would be better to examine Slime"
Mr.. Ford pressed his hand to his
brow.
4 have done that" he said; 4
did it last night; not on Mr.. Philip
Dyce's behalf, but on Miss Dale's
was anxious to get at the truth"
And Shines testimony" said
Cyril
Was as straightforward as such
a mans could be. said Mr.. Ford.
Il am bound to admit that. Then
suddenly the old man burst forth,
exciIedly: But this shall go no
further at present. AS Miss Dale's
legal adviser, 1 refuse to recognize
this will, or to answer any more
questions. l impound it, and beg
to inform Mr.. Dyce that I am ready
to receive notice from his solicitor;
and the lawyer folded the parch-
ment, and placed it in his pocket.
Leola rose, trembling.
Let ne go" she said; let me
leave the place, l cannot stay an
other ho1r!"
rs that Miss Dale's resolution? '
said Philip Dyce. Let me ask her
to consider It. Lorme Abbey is still
hers, if she VIII keep the solemn
promise she gave me. l am will
ing, I am anxious to bury the past"
Leola Interrupted him with a look
of infinite scorn, and turned to Cyril.
'Tgill you take me away?" she
said, with touching dignity, as if
asking him to protect her from the
insults Of such a proposal.
Philip Dyce's face turned pale.
so be it," he said. Then l rest
my claim upon this document, which
1 leave in Mr. Ford's honorable
hands"
And he took up his hat
Then" said Mr.. Surg, Il all
sorry for you, Mr.. Dyce; for such
disappointment as you are about to
suffer will be very bitter. You rest
your claim upon a docu uent not
worth the paper it is written uDon.
inform you that, on behalf OF my
client here, and he waved his hand
towards Cyril, "and I may as well,
Mr.. Ford, place the notice in your
hands"
And he stepped up 10 the table
and placed a paper upon it.
What is this?" demanded Mr..
Ford.
Simply a notice Of claim to Lorme
Abbey, on behalf of my client, Sir
Cyril Lorme, a copy of whose GER
tificate of birth ana other evidence of
identity, is inclosed."
"Sir Cyril Lorme," echoed Mr..
Ford, in amazement, lis this a jest,
MIR. Sturge?"
"a very sober earnest, sir" re
piled Mr.. Surge; this gentleman is
the only son and heir of Sir God
frey's elder brother, and consequent
", Sir Cyril Lorme, of Lorme Alb
hey"
Everyone rose to his feet and
stared at Cyril as if he were a ghost;
but he seemed to have no eyes or
thoughts for anyone or anything but
Leola, who, with an inarIiculate cry,
chung to Mrs. Wetherell.
The evidence does not allow of
shadow of d doubt; every certificate
is clearly authenticated and proven;
the identity has been established be
yond ven legal question:" said Mr..
Surge, rubbing his hands with solemn
satisfaction. you must forgive
us, my dear sir, he continued, turn.
ing to Mr.. Ford, who sat like thing
of stock and stone; you ought to
have received notice some months
ago, but Sir Cyril held our hands.
and positively forbade US moving in
the matter. sentiment.
my dear sir" he whispered behind his
hand, wanted To make love, like one
of the kings of old, in disguise.
And the lawyer laughed
'But--but-and this is really
Lormel" said old Mr. Ford, with
tears in his eyes. odd fool thar
was, / might have guessed it, Let
me go to HIM"
And he went and shook hands
with Cyril, who was on his knee
beside Leola, while Lord Beaumont
famed her.
Suddenly there was a loud crash of
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