The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-01-26
The
RiverShanl
Heir
He Stood Between a Title
and a Rascal
By Ethel. HOLMES

When the Earl of Riversham died his
entailed estate fell to his Oldest son,
Ralph. He left his second son, Martin,
house with the ground on which It
stood contiguous to the family manor
house. Ralph married late In life q
woman near his own age, and 1t was
not supposed his wife would bear him
an heir. But, contrary to expectation.
son was born to her several years
after her marriage.
Martin Riversham, who had expected
10 come in for the entailed estate at
his brothers death, was greatly disap-
pointed at the birth Of an heir to It.
There was still one hope for him-the
child was delicate, and there was
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
interested to know Of his condition,
seldom caught sight of him, for when
ever he was taken out it was in a close
carriage.
Martin Riversham 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 strong glass he could
get pretty fair view Of what was
going on there.
One day he was walking on the road
when he saw carriage coming which
he recognized as belonging to his broth.
er. When 1t passed him he saw that it
contained Lady Riversham, her son
Richard and dog, the dog being 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 tim. -
A few days after this Martin. while
watching the manor house, saw evil
dences Of a commotion on the part Of
its occupants. Servants were running
about, and there was every evidence
that something dreadful had happened.
Martin took 1t all in till quiet came
again; then, laying aside his glass, he
said to himself:
~ 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 was 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 little patch Of
ground short distance from the man.
or house set apart for family ceme-
terry. Martin followed as near as he
could without being detected and saw
the lackey with the spade dig grave,
and he was about to place the box in
it when suddenly Lady Riversham ap,
peared on the scene.
There was some conversation be-
tween her and the earl. but before
hear what was said the party returned
to the house, taking the box with them.
Martin returned to his home, con-
graduating himself that he had been
in the nick Of time for what he had
seen. An explanation Of this night
scene was as plain to him as the sun
in the heavens. Little Richard had
died, and his father, in order to con-
ceal his death, had taken his body to
the family cemetery when no one was
about to see the interment. A live
child was to be substituted for the
dead One
But there was one unfortunate oc-
currence connected with the affair. If
the body had been inferred in the
cemetery Martin could have had 1t ex-
humed, and it would have been very
easy for him to expose this fraudulent
attempt to deprive him Of his inner
itance. Lady Riversham's following
the burial party and the change of
plan were easily explained. 1t had oc-
Cured to her that the body should
not be inferred where Martin could
reach it. But he did not believe that
this would avail. since he could compel
them by law to produce what they
had buried.
Nevertheless Martin was at loss
just what to do In the premises. Even
IL Richard was dead the earl would be
in possession Of the estate and title
so long as he lived. But II boy were
substituted for the legitimate heir
Martin should get possession Of the
required proof Of Richards death
when II was obtainable. The courts
were not likely to serve him until a
pretended heir laid claim to the In
heritance. and by that time 1t might