El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-04-29
The Herald's Daily
Short Stsry

forward, blocking out the witnesses
view.
Poor old fellow he sighed Per
haps he'd rather leave IL till the doc
tor comes All. brave-wen done"
He bent down over the bed, and
when he stood Up he held the writing
pad and he pen in his hands.
sign here. Mr.. Harrington" he di-
rected, still screening the sick man
from view.
Nickel signed. Jem touched his arm.
As he left the room he heard the in
valid's vOice-vary hollow, very feeble:
Thank you. s!r-thank you"
At the foot of the stairs Jem handed
Don't forget-9:45-it's Just 10 now
he said, with a strange insistence. If
We advertise for you, don't fail to an
swer. You viii be well paid for your
trouble.
I'll not forget" promised Nickel,
Iasling for the door.
He SUNK out through the dripping
garden and reached the road.
"fumIuy- he calculated, biting the
sovereign, and then went on his way.
The OnslOw will case occupied the
probate court and the interest of Lon
don for many days about three months
afterwards Old Onslow had been
recluse and miser When he had fallen
III two nephews had appeared, Jem and
William, who took up their abode at
Widehanger cottage. Their uncle. it
appeared, made no secret Of his dis
like OF them, cOnfiding in DR.. Pelham,
who attended him, his intention of
leaving his fortune 10 a sister whom
he had not seen for nearly 20 rears.
The two brothers produced a viii
dated the very day Of their uncle's
death. under which the older. Jem, in
herited all Mr.. OnslOw's wealth It took
the old mans lawyer by surprise; it
made the viii in favor Of Miss OnsloW
waste paper. Undue influence was sus-
pected- Dr. Pelham averred that Mr..
OnsloW was perfectly rational, per-
fecly clear up to the very moment OF
his death, which had taken place at
1915 p. n. precisely in the presence
of the medical man.
II was the first time Nickel had read
a newspaper for some weeks TIL that
moment, then. he missed the brothers
advertisements for him he saw one
now in the Agony column
VIII the tramp who attested the
old genueman's will on the night Of
March IS, al Widehanger cottage, COM
municate with Messys- --.-
Nickel dropped the paper on his
knees and stared out Of the window.
Probate court No. 1 was thronged.
Nickel was in the box giving evi-
dence. Yes. ne had happened to be
passing when the gent asked him TO
witness a document. He had a pound
for mis- trouble. Yes. he was sure OF
the time.
Nine forty-five il was" he began,
then suddenly stopped.
His lower jaw fell. With CLASSY eyes
he stood, swaying in the box, staring
into the well OF the court. Everyone
else became a blur. He could see one
face only. A bald head. rubicund. shin
ing cheeks. bottle nose. fiery red mus
taChe the top of blue tuntc. A pO-
liCeman sat there glariug at Nickel,
dawning recognition in his eyes.
al faa IN . ~aH -a4d
silent. The constable leaned forward.
He spoke swiftly, eagerly, to a tall
coated young man who sat Immediately
behind Miss OnslOw's counsel
Nickel pulled himself together EX-
aiming counsel sat down. he wit
ness braCed himself for Mr. COIllnS-
hams cross examination
A few unimportant questions, then
suddenly, like a bOmbShen-
You were arrested at peanleigh on
the 18th Of March for theft
Il was" mUmbled Nickel
Taken to Winchester by trainE
Nickel despera tely shook his head.
stand up, officer observed the bar
rister. "D'yOu -recOg nize the consta-
ble?"
Nickel nodded. The game was up.
From the station you escaped
Yes sir" admitted Nickel sourIy.
"D'you happen TO know the time the
train arrived at Winchester
Ten twenty" said Nickel quickly
an we was 10 minutes late
Then perhaps yOuH tell me how II
was you came to witness a will al 10
o'clock at a house situated two miles
away2" demanded counsel. with smile /
OF intense satisfaction at the jury
Nickel could not His knowledge OF
the time was limited by Jem OnsloW
he acknowledged Realizing
necessity drove. he burst into a de-
tailed history of the nights dolngs
You didn't see Mr.. OnsloWs race,
You didn't see him sign, you can't be
sure that 1t was he who spoke
The truth dawned on judge, jury.
crowded court, and on Nickel last OF all
that he had been tricked- MI Onslow
died at 1915 p. m, and the dead do not
sign wills.
Had Nickel Harrington, not escaped
from justice, had he been the tramp
they thought him. the brothers plot
might well have succeeded As things
were, while Jem and Bill are stilI IN
prison, Nickel has become gardner
with only moderate success, fear
to the wealthy Miss OnslOw. she trusts
he Will run straighter than he plants
his seeds.