Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-09-14
A THRILLING MISTAKE.

rather, having so many to leave, it is a
wonder they don't make more mistakes
than they do. CareleSsneSS in the writer
has perhaps more to do with letters being
delivered to the wrong person than eth
er of these causes.
One day letter addressed in a femi-
nine hand was left by the carrier for me.
| opened it and read it. II was very
short and to the point:
Ten D. m. Thursday at the fountain.
Violets in my hand. Hold rose in your
left hand. LAURA.
Iopened my eyes very wide and gave
a low whistle. Who could it be who
was making an appointment with me !?
Then looked at the address. Ny name
is Francis B. Marshall, and the subScrip-
ton appeared to be F. B. Marshall, but it
might have been F. B. Winchell. |
thought over every person who might
possibly desire to see me clandestinely,
but could fix upon no one. What should
| do in the matter? Should | return the
letter to the postman ? Since ! had
opened it, that would not do at all. Be-
sides, | was not sure the letter was not
for me. Should keep the appointment
and possibly risk intruding upon the Sc
crets OF others? finally decided TO
meet Laura and, if it was not the person
she desired to meet, hand her her letter,
that she might know that it had been mis-
sent.
Since there was but one fountain in
town, and that in the center Of an open
square, | was not in doubt as TO the place
designated for the meeting. 1t was a
public place, where strangers might meet
without being especially noticed. Laura
had evidently never seen me nor | Laura,
else we would not have to wear some
mark by which to be known to each 9TH
er.
When a clock in the church tower near
by the park struck 10 entered the park
carrying a rose in my hand, and, ap-
preaching the fountain, stood leaning on
the basin looking at the tiny waveletS
made by the water sprinkling down upon
it. had waited perhaps five minutes
when saw lady advancing with some
violets tucked in her belt. 1t occurred to
me that she was purposely trifle late
that she might inspect me before should
be able to inspect her, and did not doubt
that she had got a view OF me while
was standing under the lighted fountain.
AS she approached advanced to meet
her, lifting my hat at the same time. AS
we walked away together she said:
"Let me explain to you why have ar
ranged this meeting instead OF calling at
your office or asking you TO come and
see me. As youare aware, Mr.. Lathrop'S
death without will has put the estate IN
a tangle. am not so sure that he did
not leave a will in my favor. | am the
only daughter OF his favorite brother and
took care OF him during his recent illness.
He said to me on several occasions: Ma
rion, have made a will leaving every
thing to you. You will find il in the tin
box in which keep all my papers in the
closet of my bedroom When opened
the box after the funeral twas not there. "
This revealed to me that the letter sent
me had not been intended for me. But
though am not a professional detective,
| think have a detectives instinct, for
in this case as far as the girl had impaired
it to me thought smeled raScality, and
its uncovering interested ME. | permit
ted her TO 60 on.
al saw your personal stating that you
had a knowledge of such will and
would like to see me regarding the mat
ter. My cousin, Edgar Bangs, who will
inherit with me under the law concerning
estates where there is no will, is a very
bad man. Mr.. Lathrop lent him money
till Edgar showed that he was dishonest;
then his uncle turned him off. Edgar
may have stolen the will in order that |
shall have to divide the estate with him
and others. II would not give him very
much, but little will be better than Moth
ing, and Edgar is in desperate straits"
at is your duty" | said, "as we'll as
your interest, TO do all you can to prevent
your uncle'S estate from going where it
was not intended, especially to such a
person as you describe"
edgar has a suspicion that | am on
the track of the lost will and is watching
me like a cat; therefore | did not dare
communicate withyou except clandestne-
Iy. Now that have explained every
thing to you am ready to hear whatyou
have to say, Mr.. Winchell."
The last word-the name-enabled me
to get more OF the story in case chose
to do so without giving away the factthat
| was an outsider. concluded to do so.
"Have you any means, askeo' dl
your disposal to pay for information that
will lead TO the recovery ofthe lost, prob
ably stolen, will 2"
"Not cent"
The lady had by this time removed her
veil. and had caught glimpse OF her
face as we passed under street lamps.
She appeared TO be about twenty years
old and was decidedly comely. Under
an impulse decided to take up the case
for her, find out if she were about TO fall
into the hands of swindlers and, if she
were, protect her.
"Permit me to assure you" SAID,
"that in me you have a friend"
al do not doubt il"
"Why not ?"