The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-03-26
OVERSIGHT
THE MARK
BY EDWARD TOMLINSON

couple, being childless adopted niece
of Mrs. Partridge, Susanna kenton.
Susanna was q good girl and, being
an orphan, gave her whole heart to
her foster parents. When Suzanna
was eighteen years old a sister of Mr..
Partridge died, leaving destitute q
daughter about the same age. His
uncle felt it his duty to take his niece
into his home and give her a living.
His wife did not relish this new adj
dition to the household, but since her
husband had consented to her receiv.
ing her own relative she could not re-
fuse her consent to his taking in his
niece.
Blandina Crofts, Mr.. Pnrtridge's
niece, was very different person
from Susanna. She was very, very
plausible, very INSCRIPTIONS and in
ordinately selfish. What property the
old couple possessed belonged TO Mr..
Partridge, and it had been understood
that Susanna would inherit it. It did
not take long for Blandina to argue
ont case in Der own behalf. She,
being the niece of the owner Of the
property should be the heir. But
since she would he at a great dlsad-
vantage if she tried to persuade her
uncle to Leave his property to her in
stead Of Susanna, she determined to
20 about the matter In a roundabout
way.
She began by feigning strong love
for her victim. Then she turned
away from her, but would give no rea-
son for doing So Mrs. Partridge ask.
ef her why she had changed, but she
would not tell Finally Mr.. Partridge
missed sum of money. Blandlna,
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
he kept from Mr.. Partridge, and he
insisted that Susanna leave the house.
Both Susanna and her aunt with wo-
mans instinct, believed that Blandlna
bad 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
Rlandina, she had a mania for possess
ing fine things, such as clothes, jewel.
ny and the like. After the old people
had gone to bed she would steal out
who would call for her, waiting out
side till she appeared and later bring
her home, lea wing her at the door. But
one night she invited him in. Mrs.
Partridge, hearing muffied sounds be. !
low, tiptoed downstairs and caught the I
couple there. Since o'clock in the I
morning was not a proper hour for
young woman who was supposed to be
in bed to entertain young man in the
drawing room, the matter looked sus
picious. She knew her aunt distrusted
her, and she feared the consequences.
The matter was reported to Mr.. Par
fridge, and Bandina, seeing that her
innocence would not be believed by
him, excused herself on the ground
that she was her visitors wife. This
helped the matter In one way, but not
in another Her uncle did not Mt all
like her having married clandestinely
However, she was his sisters child
and he forgaye her. especially as she
gave as a reason for concealing her
marriage that her husband, John At
wood. was unable to support her. Her
uncle decided that she should remain
in his home till Atwood bettered his
circumstances.
Shortly after this Mrs. Partridge sick,
ened and died. Mr. Partridge was now
very dependent upon his niece and was
in no hurry for her to leave him TO as
Atwood's wife. Atwood seldom came
20 see her aud finally drifted away
from her altogether. Her uncle en-.
couraged her to let him 90, assuring
her that if she lived with him to the
end of his life she should have his
property.
Several years passed during which
Blaudina pretended that she had lost
interest in her husband and would
probably In time secure divorce.
Then her uncle died When his will
was read what was her consterna-
tion to find that the estate-a fine one
ind been left to her as Mrs Blandina
.
She hurried to lawyer. confided to
him that she had never been married
and her legal name was simply Blan-
sinn Crofts.
Then said the attorney. you can
not inherit that estate under that will"
This was a crushing blow to Blan-
lima. The lawyer told her that I'M
less there was another will the estate
must go to her uncle's heirs. who were
and her share would be a
bagatelle. Blandina left him and the
next day returned with a will she had
found dated five years before, leaving
the property TO Susanna Kenton. After
begging the attorney TO find some way
by which she could on furnishing the
will force Susanna to divide with her,
md being peremptorily refused. she
rase up the struggle and consented TO