The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-04

younger man left the office with more per feet assurance that the girl he loved would be freed.
 The funeral of Dr. Sclden was held at 8 o'clock The two attorneys went to pay their last tribute of respect to the dead, while the daughter was compelled to wit ness through veil of tears and the bars of a confortless cell the passing of the fu- neral cortege.
 Miss Wrightson was the most affected of all. She looked like one who had buried her last hope of earthly and eternal happi- ness.
 In the midst of the ceremony at the grave-side queer, uncouth figure, bent ot back and with strangely contorted features, dropped beside the casket weeping bitterly and sobbing out inarticulate words. It was the strange, half -witted nephew of the housekeeper. His presence seemed almost like blight. It sent shudder of repul- sion through the assemblage. Bristow never forgot the feeling of wonderment and dis gust that permeated his being-a feeling soon to be recalled to his mind with fresh and fearful significance.
 "There is work-the hardest kind of work-mapped out for us, my boy," said the colonel when the lawyers were back in the office. "But-do not attempt an expla nation. q know you love the girl and that she is innocent. I mean to remain with you to the end. Davis believes her to be guilty, but we have downed him before, son, and we will do it again!'
 Bristow looked his gratitude. His heart was too full for words.
 Again they went over the evidence link by link, testing each connecting point until they felt sure of their position.
 "There is one thing in Nerissa's favor," Bristow finally said with relief. "She has wealth enough to employ the best talent money can buy, if we cannot go ahead un- assisted"
 The colonel started, looked grave and was silent for moment.
 "You are mistaken" he then said sadly, an odd hesitancy in his voice. "She has not souv'
 What do you mean?" demanded Bris- tow, staggered by the statement.
 Simply this: Her father willed his all to the Wrightson woman!
 CHAPTER ID RISTOW could hardly credit his ears! D Could it be possible that Dr. Selden had disinherited his daughter? As if to end all doubts he heard
 ''Dr. Selden willed his all to Anna Wrightson!"
 Colonel Bainbridge repeated the state ment as Bristow sat staring at him, too dazed to reply.
 Then the doctor kept his threat to dis own and disinherit Nerissa if she dsobeyed his command and went to her grandfather in Cincinnati?"
 ''So it might appear at first flush," par ried the colonel. "At any rate, she was cut off with the customary dollar. No other provision was made for her in the will or m any other manner, as far as have been able to determine"
 we can break that will in any court in the land" exclaimed Bristow heatedlv Its palpable injustice to an only child can. not be allowed to stand in any enlightened community
 We shall have about all we can handle Tn the courts ion some time to come," con- mented the colonel. eff we free Nerissa oeiden Of the charge of murder we shall have accomplished almost miracle"
 She shall be freedw declared the younger lawyer stoutly. "Penniless though she IS, still have a few thousands in hank Every cent own will gladly spend to save herw
 Colonel Bainbridge held out his hand. h;s