Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-06-21

on Mr.. Paddock's judgment and execu-
tive ability than on Mr.. Peckham's
Had she possessed the services of such
a man as the former doubtless her af
fairs would not have got into such a
distressing condition.
The correspondence had resulted so
favorably that Miss Lamond began to
think of meeting between herself and
her correspondent She tried to think
Of meeting repulsive old man, but
pictured an elderly gentleman who
greeted her with kindly smile.
Thinking he might not consider that
their correspondence had sufficiently
prepared her for the meeting, she de-
termined to inform him that so favor
able had been the impression created
that she was now positively DESTROYS
Of seeing him.
A reply came to this that he was now
suffering from an indisposition, but
that as soon as he was in a condition
to go out he would call upon Miss La
mond, but with great trepidation lest
upon seeing him she would not be able
to confirm her part Of the contract for
which they had been preparing.
So great was the change In Miss La
monds sentiments from what they had
been when Mr.. Peckham announced
the matrimonial plan that she was en-.
abled to write him a letter In which
she expressed considerable solicitude
for his health and begged that he
would keep her advised Of his condl
ton. She wrote this letter In the even
ing and in the morning was preparing
to carry It to the post when, taking up
the daily paper, she glanced first over
the advertisements Of special sales,
then ran her eye down the death and |
marriage columns. She started.
Died.-Paddock. John. at his residence |
after u protracted illness. Friends will |
kindly omit flowers. Funeral private
Miss Lamond could not believe her
eyes; but, turning them to n column
OF obituary notices, she read that John
Paddock was the wealthy manufacturer
who had made q large fortune. The
notice was very short, and no encomi |
ums were passed upon the deceased
She remarked especially that be had |
been helpless for several weeks be
fore his death.
Here was a mystery. She had been
receiving letters with view to a matrI-
monlal arrangement from a man who
was not able to wrlte--in fact. was dy |
Ing Had she not received one from |
him the evening before announcing an |
"indsposition2" There was something |
uncanny about the matter. 1t made
her flesh creep. Rushing to the tele
phone, she called up the Office Of Peck
ham, 1'uttle & Hill, attorneys. Mr. |
Peckham was out Of town. and no one |
else Of the firm knew anything about |
the Lamond estates business.
Miss Lamond could think of no other |
way OF getting information as TO the
mystery and was obliged to walt The
day after the funeral she received a
call from man on whose card was
the name Of John Paddock Traver
She looked at 1t wonderingly; then.
catching an Idea that the mystery OF
her aged lover was about TO be solved
she hurried downstairs.
A young man was standing In the
dra wing room who advanced toward
her with very singular expression gu
bis face. II was amusement mingled
with embarrassment and O unge OF
guilt
miss Lamond. ! believer
II am"
II have come to enlighten you upon
a matter which | fancy you may wish
to hear explained You know Of the
death OF John Paddock. suppose"
II do"
The young man looked hard ut q
chair, and Miss Lamond mechanically
asked him to be seated
my uncle. Mr.. Paddock. whose sec
rotary and man OF all work have
been. some time ago told me that he
and your attorney. Mr.. Peckham. had
arranged marriage between himself
and you for the purpose Of settling out
Of court the suit between the two es.
tates Being an old man not fitted to
conduct cOurtship with young wo-
man, he desired me to write you In bis
name. continued 10 conduct tho cor
respondence. writing the letters you
received from him and informing him
OF the progress of his suit for your
hand TIL few weeks ago, when be
sank 80 low In health that no worldly
matters Interested him"
Mr.. Traver paused. and Miss La
mond continued TO stare at him Pres
emily he continued:
IL am my uncles sole heir, and 1
have come to tell you that the suit
against you will be dropped. The will
was opened only this morning, and at
tho earliest possible moment / will
meet your attorney, Mr.. Peckham, with |
view TO coming 10 an arrangement |
that will leave you In the full posses
sion OF your inheritance"
Mr. Traver paused again. Miss La.
mond continued her stare. but present
ly the corners Of her mouth began to
quirk up and her whole face broke into
smile.
When Mr.. Peckbam returned no |
called on his client and said: "rhe |
matter WINS n put up job between Mr.
Paddock and myself He knew TINT |
be had but short time to live and had
made his nephew his heir His and
your estate are inextricably mingled.
He and formed plan to bring about
a marriage between you and John Ira.
yer. You are to marry the nephew In.
stead NJ the uncle"
But this Mr. Trnyer What
"Ob ne can take care Of that him.
self Hen doubtless speak TO you at
nm cufi0 date