The herald., 1912-06-20
OVERSIGHT
THE MARK
sv EDWARD TOMLINSON

an o-phsn, gave her whole heart to
her foster parents. When SuZanna
YVES eighteen years old a sister of Mr..
Partridge died, leaving destitute a
daughter about the same age. His
uncle felt 1t his duty to take his niece
into his home and give her a living.
His wife did not relish this new al
dition to the household. but since her
husband had consented to her receiV-
ing her own relative she could not re-
fnse her consent 10 his taking in MS
niece.
Blandlna Crofts, Mr.. PartridGes
niece. was very different person
from Suzanna She was very, very
plausible, very INSCRIPTIONS and III
ordinately selfish. What property the
old couple possessed belonged to MT
Partridge, and it had been understood
that Susanna would inherit it. 1t dld
not take long for Blandina to argue
ont q case in her own behalf. she
be,ng the niece OF the owner or the
property, should be the heir. But
since she would be at a great disad'
vantage IL she tried to persuade her
uncle TO leave his property to her IN
stead OF Suzauna, she determined to
go about the matter in a roundabout
way.
She began by feigning a strong love
for her victim. Then she turned
sway from her, but would give no rea-
son for doing so. Mrs. Partridge ask
ed her why she had changed, but she
would not tell Finally Mr.. Partridge
missed sum of money. Blandina,
with many signs, and declarations Of
the pain she suffered in accusing her
friend, advised the lady to search her
nIece's room. She did so and found
the lost money. The matter could not
be kept from Mr.. Partridge, and he
insisted that Susanna leave the house.
Both Susanna and her aunt, with wo-
mans instinct. believed that Blandina
had laid a plan to ruin the former, but
Mr.. Partridge naturally favored his
own sisters child. Besides, Blandina
had taken pains TO tell him often how
much she loved Susanna.
Susanna supported herself as best
she could, her aunt helping her with
her own pin money. for Mr.. Partridge
was greatly incensed at Suzanna's in
gratitude. and nothing could be done
for her with his knowledge. AS fol
Blandina, she had a mania for possess
ing fine things, such as clothes, jewel
~ and the like. After the old people
had gone to bed she would steal ou
and go to dances. She had love-
who would call for her. waiting out
side till she appeared and later brint
her home, leaving her at the door. Blu
one night she invited him In. Mrs
Partridge, hearing muffied sounds be
low, tiptoed downstairs and caught thu
couple there. Since o'clock in thu
morning was not a proper hour for
young woman who was supposed to b.
in bed to entertain young man In tn
drawing room, the matter looked sus
picious. She knew her aunt distruste'
her, and she feared the consequences.
The matter was reported to Mr.. Par
fridge, and Blandina, seeing that he
innocence would not be believed b.
him, excused herself on the groun
that she was her visitors wife. Thi
helped the matter in one way, but nc
in another. Her uncle did not at a
like her having married clandestinely
However, she was his sisters child
and he forgave her, especially as sh
gave as a reason for cOncealing he
marriage that her husband, John A
wood, was unable to support her. he
uncle decided that she should renal
In his home till Atwood bettered hi
circumstances.
Shortly after this Mrs. Partridge sicI
ened and died. Mr.. Partridge was no.
very dependent upon his niece and we
in no hurry for her to leave him to Al
sumo her position before the world 9
Atwoods wife. Atwood seldom can
to see her and finally drifted ava
from her altogether. Her uncle el
couraged her to let him 60, assurin
her that II she lived with him to I'll
end of his life she should have b
property.
Several years passed during whic
Blandina pretended that she had 10:
interest In her husband and woul
probably In time secure a divorc
Then her uncle died. When his wi
was read what was her constern,
ton to find that the estate-a fine one
had been left to her as Mrs. Blandin
Atwood.
She hurried to lawyer, confided
him that she had never been marie
and her legal name was simply Blal
dina Crofts.
Then" said the attorney, you ca
inherit that estate under that will
This was a crushing blow to Blal
dina. The lawyer told her that n
less there was another will the esta
must go to her uncle's heirs. who we
numerous, and her share would be
bagatelle. Blandina left him and Il
next day returned with a will she hs
found dated FIVE years before, leavir
the property to Suzanna Kenton. Aft
begging the attorney to find some we
by which she could on furnishing Il
will force Susanna to divide with he
and being peremptorily refused, 81
gave up the struggle and consented
his notifying Susanna of her inner
lance.
Cu1oppo vnIunfoaraI "a xfva pIo,