Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-02-15

The
RiverSham
Heir
. He Stood Between a Title
and a Rascal
By ETHEL HOLMES

house. Ralph married late in life a
woman near his own age, and it vas
not supposed his wife would bear him
an heir. But, contrary to expectation,
q son was born to her several years
after her marriage.
Martin Riversham, who had expected
to come in for the entailed estate at
his brothers death, was greatly disap-
pointed at the birth of an heir to it.
There vas still one hope for him-.the
child was delicate, and there was a
chance that he would not grow to man.
hood. If he died there was but slight
chances Of Lady Riversham having an
other.
-Four years passed, and little Richard
Riversham still lived, though he was
very delicate. He was kept indoors by
his parents, and Martin. who was much
seldom caught sight Of him, for when
ever he was taken out it was In a close
carriage.
Martin Riyersham was a family black
sheep, and after many efforts to get
him to leave the dissolute life he led
his brother felt constrained to forbid
him his house. Martin had seldom oc-
cupied the house left him on the prop
erty adjoining the estate Of his brother,
but after little Richards birth he went
there in order to watch the child who
alone would stand between him and
the title and estate in case of the
earls death. From a window in his
house Martin could see the family
mansion something like half a mile
away, and with q strong glass he could
get a pretty fair view Of what was
going on there.
One day he was walking on the road
when he saw a carriage coming which
he recognized as belonging t his broth
cr. When it passed him he saw tlat it
contained Lady Riversham, her son
Richard and q dog, the dog being n pet
of Richard, to whom he was devoted.
Lady Riversham Shuddered as she
passed her brother-in-law, but he did
not notice her, his eyes being fixed on
the boy, who, he noticed, was very pale
and thin.
4 few days after this Martin, while
watching the manor house. saw evil
denCeS Of q cOmlnotiou on the part of
its occupants. Servants We're running
about. and there was every evidence
that something dreadful had happened.
Martin took it all in till quiet came
again; then, laying aside his glass, he
said To himself:
Il believe the boy is dead
That night he noticed lights in the
manor house later than usual. Think
Ing. under cover Of the darkness. to
learn something by a nearer view, he
left his house and, entering his broth
er's grounds, stole near enough TO the
house to see anything that could be
seen from the outside.
Suddenly a rear door vas opened,
and by the light within Martin saw a
servant, bearing an oblong box, issue
from the house, followed by the earl
and another servant, the latter carry.
ing a spade and a lantern. The trio
made their way to a little patch of
ground a short distance from the man.
or house set apart for a family GENE,
terry. Martin followed as near as be
could without being detected and saw
the lackey with the spade dig a grave
and he al about TO place the box il
it when suddenly Lady Riversham ali
peared on the scene.
There was some conversation be
tween her and the earl. but before
Martin could steal close enough 4
hear what was said the party returned
to the house, taking the box with them
Martin returned to his home, con
graduating himself that lie had beer
: in the nick of time for what he hat
seen. An explanation Of this nigh
scene was as plain to him as the SUI
: in the heavens. Little Richard ha'
: died, and his father, III order to COZ
): ceal his death, had taken his body t
the family cemetery when no Il wa
about to see the interment. A liv
child was to be substituted for til
dead one.
But there was one unfortunate o.
tuIIclCc cUilllGCitu WIFI llc duall.
the body had been inferred in til
cemetery Martin could have had it e.
humed, and it would have been yer
easy for him to expose this fraudule1
attempt to deprive him Of his inhe
itance. Lady Riversham's followin
the burial party and the change
plan We're easily explained. 1t had o
Toured to her that the body shou:
not be inferred where Martin coul
reach it. But he did not believe th'
this would avail, since he could comp
them by law to produce what thu
had buried. -..~-
Nevertheless Martin was at a 10
just what to do in the premises. Eve
il Richard was dead the earl would
in possession Of the estate and tit
so long as he lived. But if a boy we
substituted for the legitimate be
Martin should get possession of t
required proof Of Richards dea
when 1t was obtainable. The couI
were not likely to serve him until
Npoton1od hair 1afH claim m fhQ 4