New Britain herald., 1924-11-11


 self = the signed will"
 'All right, then know who has. Now. see here. Cannon - what do you know of Douglas Raynor's past? If you'll come across with that, I'll let up on the will busi- ness - for the present"
 What do you mean = his past? He never did anything wrong"
 "Oh, didn't he? Well, say he did. And, furthermore, I say you know all about it - and you 'used this, knowledge for"
 Don't say it." Cannon put up his hand as if to ward off blow. Don't say that word = it in't true!"
 Wise saw at once the old man was afraid of being accused of blackmail. - " < He believed that Cannon had been persuaded to steal the will by stronger nature than his own Lionel Raynor's of course - and that Cannon even now regretted 1t.
 But it had to be proved, and Wise set to work to verify his opinions. ., | ',s
 By the dint of careful and adroit questioning. by judicious hints of the law" and by means of some help here and there from Zizi, Wise finally drew from him the dis graceful story of Raynor's life in so far as it affected the dead mans widow. .s l.. .'s-- .,.,
 "Yes," old Cannon recapitulated, T knew he lied to, Miss Kent, as she was then. I knew he made up that yarn about her father being a. criminal forger -- knew he made her marry him because if. she didn't he'd split on her father, and she'd be disgraced and her tather'd be put in jail, and her brother'd die of shame--and, well, Raynor put it to that girl in such a way. that she couldn't get out of marrying him unless she brought her whole family down to the dregs of disgrace. And it wasn't true - it wasn't true!" The old man waxed furious now. T know the truth! Douglas Raynor com mitted that forgery himself! ] know 1t! I've always known it, and Raynor knew l knew it! That's why he gave me this house - gave me money - let me have my own way! That's why he was afraid of me! He used to beg me not to tell ] his wife Of his fraud on her."
 "Did you threaten to do so?"
 "Yes, I did! To see him cringe and crawl and beg for mercy. Oh, I had no intention of telling her - but. I loved to scare him."
 The old man shook with hysteri- cal emotion. that was between laughter and anger. Then he sober ed down, suddenly. x, @., ..'...
 But she found out" he, said, al- most in a whisper. She found out - not through me - but she over- ! heard some words we said one | night, and she gathered that. he had deceived her about her father.'
 What did she do?" Zizi asked breathlessly. -...
 She went straight to Raynor and taxed him with it. He denied 1t, oi course she couldn't prove 1t - so she could do nothing. But - after she knew -. I for one don't blame %er for killing him."
 "Hush" Wise said, sternly. "wt ] don't know that she did kill him Tell me exactly of what he accused her father" g..
 Why, he told her that her father had committed a forgery - lont ago, you know - in his young days. He said that he, Raynor, wal the only one who knew the truth that unless she married him ht would expose her fathers guilt and tat If she would marry him, il could remain hushed up forever Didn't she ask her father aboui it?" ''' "No: he was an invalid d-reall, very ill. The shock might kill hin - Raynor told her. Also, he said the disgrace would kill orillt Kent, who is of proud. sensitive nature. and delicate as we'll So, t save the bunch, she married tha devil" E T without proving his story!' cried Zizi. ,,
 How could she? Sc had no on, to ask but her own family or thi suitor." -.
 And she was in love with NIT Finley at the timer" asked. Zizi.
 That I can't say. but they wer acquainted. I know When she sai' i-yes to RaynOr. they were marrie' very soon and settled down here a Flower Acres Her father lived bu 6 short time after that and sh put up with her brute of.a husban, for nearly two years before sh discovered what he had done t her. Then - we'll I'm inclined | think she took matters into he own hands"