The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-05-22
van was well fortified before Arthur


fords, especially Herbert, and through
a desire for gain. as we'll as a sense
Of justice. concluded to find Arthur, II
alive, and notify him that his inner
itance was about to pass to another.
He. too. sent an agent to America In
the matter of the Stronghold title and
estates.
Arthur was riding over the broad
acres of his tobacco plantation when
q man accosted him and handed him a
letter from O'Rourke notifying him OF
the death of his father and brother
and saying his cousin had laid claim to
the title and estate. Arthur at once
put his affairs in America in a posi-
ton to go to Ireland and took the next
vessel that sailed from Philadelphia.
Arriving in Dublin, he went straight
to O'Rourke. whom he had known be-
fore leaving home, and introduced
himself as Arthur Donovan. He re.
ceived his first setback in the fact that
the attorney recognized nothing in his
appearance of the youth he had seen
more than ten years before. He asked
Arthur what proof he had Of his iden-
tity. and Arthur was obliged to confess
that the life he had led as sailor
during the American.war had resulted
in the destruction of every paper he
had possessed connecting him with the
family.
O'Rourke was disheartened. He had
in
agent to America, which it now APP
peared he was likely to lose. He was
very doubtful about his client being
the real Arthur Donovan. But Arthur,
who had learned in his experience
with the colonists how to put up a
good fight, persevered and succeeded
by narrating events which had hap
pened in his family with which
O'Rourke was cOnversant in putting
sufficient confidence in the attorney
to induce him to undertake his case,
though Arthur was obliged to send to
America for means to pay the costs.
When Herbert Donovan saw the
claimant to the Stronghold title he felt
quite comforted. He had seen his
cousin frequently in years gone by
and now saw not the slightest re-
semblance between this man and Ar
thur Donovan. He had taken posses
sion of the late earl's residence and
ransacked the house, searching for any
papers or likeness that might aid in
establishing Arthur's claim. He had
found some letters and miniature
painting on ivory made when Arthur
was sixteen years of age. He had de-
stroyed the letters and kept the por
trait till he could discover whether 1t
would aid his own case or his cousins
Death and change had played havoc
with the Stronghold household. Lady
Stronghold had died before Arthur left
home. Most of the servants had gone
elsewhere, and of those who remained
many pronounced him an impostOr, the
rest being In doubt Michael Mona
han, the keeper of the hounds, was
still there. though but two or three
dogs were left Of the pack, since no
member. Of the family hc1 hunted
since his departure. Michael when he
saw Arthur was in doubt whether he
was the man he had known as a
youth or an impostor. Asking Arthur
for his hat, he put the lining up to his
nostrils and drew long breath.
"Ah, Mr.. Arthur" he exclaimed,
you're the rale hunter that went to
Ameriky! know you by the fine per-
fume of you"
Arthur at once communicated the
fact to his attorney as important proof.
But O'ROurke saw nothing in 1t, and II
there had been he said It could not be
utilized in court. If Michael had not
seen Arthur since his return to Ireland
and would pick him out by his per-
sonal odor among a number Of men II
would go far toward establishing his
claim. Was there any one else who
had not seen him who would recognize
him by this odor, which was very like
musk and agreeable rather than I'M
pleasant?
Unfortunately not person could be
found who had ever detected this per.
sonal odor. Arthur worked hard to get
other evidence, but for every bit he got
in his favor his cousin secured one
against him. His counsel took the
matter up for trial with misgivings.
but hoped for the best. Michael Mona
han made an excellent witness. and
O'Rourke told Arthur that II he could
get anything In the same line to re-
enforce 1t he believed that he could
win the case for him.
Arthur asked Michael If any Of the
dogs he left behind when he went
away were still living. Michael thought
awhile, then replied that there was one
left, old Hector, but he was half blind.
After a conference between O'ROurke
and Arthur it was decided to bring
Hector into court as last hope.
The scene when the old hunter was
led up to Donovan was long remem-
bered in those parts. Hector cast a
glance at his master and looked away.
Donovan drew nearer the dog till he
was within few inches of the ami |
mails nose. Then Hector began to
sniff, nosing about as though trying to
something. Then he gave a
low moan, which he kept repeating.
"Hec" said Donovan.