The Golden Argosy: Tom Gale's Ride — page 11: what you’re looking at

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7 & Mb alee sess at Cis a . ‘ ; % alive? JULY 23, 1887. THE GOLDEN ARGOSY. 539 — —-—<— -— He made no comment upon the instructions he received, but rapidly wrote the will in ac- eordance with Elias Simmons's directions. Then he rang the bell, and secured the pres- ence and signatures of three of his neighbors as attesting witnesses. Then Mr. Simmons came to the real object of his visit. ‘Has my aunt been here lately?” he asked. ‘* Not for some weeks. I will, however, take advantage of your presence, to put some uestions to you relative to some relations of Miss Simmons, whom she is anxious to find.” This was precisely what Mr. Simmons wished to speak about, and he answered briskly. ‘Tam glad you mentioned this, Mr. Hol- brook,” he sai ps | my aunt’s anxiety on the subjeet, and indeed I am working as her agent in the matter.” “The persons are, as I understand, Mrs. Newton, the widow of Richard Newton, the actor, and her son.” Te8. Gir... * The lady was a niece of my client.” * Yes, sir, her niece, and my cousin.” “She was, I believe, opposed to the mar- e “Yes, sir, and for a time discarded the niece, and eut her off from all favor.” “So she has told me. Now, ean you give me any information touching her, or throw any light upon tne probability of her being still _“T have been able to obtain no positive in- formation, but am strongly disposed to think that both the mother and son are dead.” * We should want something stronger than that. My client will not be satisfied without ositive proof. I may say that she herself ;a conviction that both are still living.” ias Simmons shrugged his shoulders, * Aunt Eunice was always very decided in her opinion,” he said. “She has told me the same thing.” gs ‘In the absenee of any positive proof one whe f or the other, she perhaps has as much right to her view as you to the opposite.” . “You are quite right, sir.. I may, however, sugmest that. were Mrs. Newtun alive she would probably before this have sought out and communicated with her aunt.” “That may or may not be. She did, after r marriage, make overtures towards a “Yes. did she not?” “ And they were decidedly rejected?” “Yes; that is true.” “Su sing now that she was a proudor ‘sensitive woman, it would deter her from a nthatis not eonclusive. Do I under- i that you have been trying to obtain in- ormation on the subject? ” : “That certainly woul How soon do you think you ean inform me upon this point?” “In a few days, I hope.” . *“T shall be glad to have you wait upon me at that time then, or, if ioconvenient, I will enll at your store.” “I wouldn’t think of putting you to that trouble. I will call here.” “Thank you.” After Elias Simmons left the office, the lawyer said to himself thoughtf ally, *" I don’t know how itis, but that man doesn’t impress me favorably. He looks to me insincere and unreliable. As to his fp on the subject of Mrs. Newton being stillalive, it must not. forgotten that, setting her and her son aside, he is sole legal heir to_the large fortune now in possession of Miss Eunice Simmons. Itis vainly against his interest for her to come to lite, since it might cost him over a handred thousand dollars, supposing the fortune to be _ divided equally between the two.” At this moment, an old acquaintance, a broker named Hiram Ford, entered the office. He was an old school-mate of the lawyer and on intimate terms with him. “How are you, Holbrook?” he said, in an off-hand manner. ‘Very well. Take a seat.” “I met Elias Simmons, the furnishing |] goods dealer, on the stairs. “ Yes, I was doing a litile business for him.” - “TT wonder if he consulted you as to the best | way of settling his bills.” “Has he any trouble of that kind?” asked the lawyer with interest. “Yes; he is alwaysin ecuniary difficulty.” “ You surprise me, y doesn’t he sell out : his stocks and bonds, and raise money in that ord laughed. " ause he hasn’t got any,” he replied. viaeee you sure of that?” “Yes; the man’s paper is in very bad re- pute. I used to handle some of it, that being e, but now I won’t touch it.” olbrook made no comment. In the ated by Elias Simmons he hed made ‘ifle bequests of at least forty thousand ollars in stocks and bonds. hat was his object?” the lawyer asked ‘He wishes to deceive me with ref- erence to the amountof his property. I think I can guess the reason why. CHAPTER XLVIII. NED MEETS MR, SIMMONS. KE next morning it occurred to Mr. /Y Simmons that he would eall upon his auntand ascertain, if possible, whether she herself had obtained any informa- tion about the Newtons. He was in a state of feverish anxiety lest this should be the ease. If Miss Simmons discovered Ned and his mother, she would be li ay to learn that he nee long xiGwn Vd per existence, even employed the son, a his aunt kept back Ane knowledge. He knew Me is aunt well enough to understand that in er ae er she would probably disinherit him altogether. He began even to wish that he ‘ bats -_ + Clit eetae — Ts = Sie SS tegen Sigs + 4, poe Fes be very important, had himself broughtabout a meeting between Mrs. Newton and Miss Simmons. In that ease, he would at all events have made sure of one half of his aunt’s property, as he eould nae done nothing better calculated to please ier. Mr. Simmons rang the bell at his aunt’s door. His ring was answered Be Jane Barclay. The faithful companion looked very much agitated, and the dark rims around her eyes showed that she had been deprived of sleep. ““Can I see my aunt, Miss Barclay ?” asked Elias politely. “Oh, Mr. Simmons, she is very sick,” an- swered Jane Barelay. “You don’t tell me so!” said Elias, assum- ing a decorous anxiety. ‘‘ What is the matter with her?” “It’s pneumonia, the doctor says.” “That is indeed serious.” - “ Yes, poor dear, at her age.” “What does the doctor think of her chances of recovery?” asked Elias Simmons eagerly. ; Jane Barelay shook her head and burst into ears. ‘I am afraid she is going to die, Mr. Sim- mons.” * Don’t be tov anxious, Jane!” said the merchant. ‘I will see that you are provided for if the worst happens.” _ As if Iwas thinking of myself!” said Jane, LAG) GAGE Uy, “T was only anxious about er.’ “Of course, of course!” said Elias, seeing that he had made a mistake. “But I was ‘thinking of your faithful serviee to my poor aunt. Can I see her?” Jane Barclay shook her head. “No,” she said; “I am under strict orders from the doctor not to let any one disturb er. “*T don’t think I should disturb her, Jane. bay Secale that I am her only living rela- ive. . _ “I don’t know about that. Miss Simmons is convinced that Hester is still alive.” ‘“T wish she were,” said Elias, sympatheti- cally; “ but I am obliged to say that I think there is very little chance of it.” ‘*Miss Simmons has dreamed three times that Hester was alive, and the nef too. and nothing will convince her that she is dead.” Elias Simmons shrugged his shoulders. — “You are too sensible a woman to put any faith in dreams, Jane,” he said. ‘* Does that mean that your aunt is not sen- sible? ” demanded Jane, etry A “Certainly not, Jane,” replied Elias, hasti- ly; “but aunt Eunice is an‘old lady now, and more credulous in such matters than she used to ne. Then I can’t go up?” ‘No; the doctor won’t allowit. But here comes the doctor now.” _ “Then I will step in an seat aa very an sai * OI iit Bak A *. 3 8 = A he has concluded hi: ious Jane.” ‘Lil SLUSCL ‘How is my aunt?” he aske iety, though it is to be feare - th | at this anx-| iety was rather that his aunt should die with- out the knowledge that his cousin were still ving. “She is in a very critical condition, sir. She may live, or she may die. To-morrow will probably settle the matter.” ‘*But what is your opinion, doetor?” “T shall express none. While there is life le is hope,” said the physician, senten- iously. “That means that she will probably die,” seg ag PS Elias. He left the house with his mind divided be- tween anxiety and excitement. “Tf she only dies ignorant of Hester’s ex- istence,” he said to himself, “‘the whole property will come to me. What a glorious end that would make to all my anxieties!” prrived at Fulton Ferry, Mr. Simmons had a fright. Standing near the gate was Ned Newton, who, having an hour at noon, had crossed the ferry to see for himself whether Madge were selling matches at that point. “ What can the boy be here for?” Elias Sim- mons asked himselfin alarm. ‘ Has he any fee that his mother’s aunt livesin Brook- yn ” Mr. Simmons felt so nervous, as_ this thought presented itself, that he walked up to Ned and asked him abruptly: “ What brings you here?” ; Ned resented this question, es the man who asked it he felt ha serious injustice, “Thave as much nh to ask why you are here!” he retorted, coldly. “ Don’t be impudent, boy!” “ How bave I been impudent? Iam not in your employ, Mr. Simmons, and I am not ac- countable to you for my actions.” “ Did I hear that you have a new place?” “If you did, you heard correctly.” “Where is it?” “Mr. Simmons, I do not consider you as a friend of mine, and I do not care to tell you.” “ What are you afraid of?” “You might try to get my new employer to discharge me.” “I don’t wonder you fear this, knowin under what circumstances you left my store. “There were no circumstances that I have reason to be ashamed of,” “Perhaps not, but most boys would be ashamed of being charged with theft.” | “The boy that made the false charge—a charge shown to be false—has reason to be ashamed. I understand that you have taken oh back. “If I have, that is my business.” “Quite correct. As I have found a better place, I shall not complain.” “You seem to be neglecting your duty now. Sp r op sig has an office on the other side of the ferry. “This is. my noon hour, and I shall be back in time. I say this, though I owe you no ex- planation.” “You won’t stay long in your place, I ven- ture to predict.” | cially as done him | “Do know, _T have | about his being the right one to *“Why have you such a prejudice against me, Mr. Simmons?” ‘You don’t need to be told,” “There’s a reason why you should feel a friendly interest in me.” “What do you mean? ” asked the merchant nervously. “You don’t need to be told,” said Ned, sig- nificantly. “Does he know that we are related?” Elias Simmons asked himselfin alarm. “ He has never before intimated as much. Some- thing must be done! He is getting danger- ous.” . “TI don’t care to hold any further communi- eation with you,” he said-abruptly, and hur- ried to the boat. _ Ned noticed his manner and drew his own conclusions. ‘He knows of the relationship,” he said to es “Why should that make him my enemy ?” : Had Ned suspected the existence of a rich relative, as near to his mother as to Mr. Simmons, he would have been sharp enough to understand. But his mother had never said much about Aunt Eunice. She had felt wounded by the cold and harsh manner in which she had been treated by her aunt, and had no hope, even if her aunt were living, that she would ever be forgiven. She did not make allowance for the softening influence of a lonely age. As to any pecuniary benefit to be derived from her wealthy relative, she had never onee thought of it. Ned looked anxiously about, but found no trace of Madge. ‘ Later in the day he saw Dennis Sullivan. “T was at the South Ferry and Fulton Ferry,” said Dennis, “ and did not find Madge at either place.” “Well, Dennis, try again to-morrow. I won't give up till I have found her.” CHAPTER XLIX. A CONVENIENT WITNESS. THE next morning there was a favorable change in the condition of Miss Sim- mons. When the doctor called he 3 d much relieved. i i thinkthe crisis is past.,” he said. patient has a strong constitution, and I no doubt that she 1 pull through. “ Has any one ealled to see me, Jane?” in- quired Miss Simmons, “Yes, Miss Eunice, Your nephew called yesterday.” ‘ “No doubt he ‘was very mace eved to ar of my danger,” said the old lady, ironic- . oe That is what he said,” answered Jane, ia F tadorstand Elias Simmons very well,” continued the old lady. ‘ Hecares for no one He thinks he is my sole heir, tur “se My have me. ' set a Joe, free “Thave no doubts at all, Miss Eunice, would be sorry to find her, in my opinion.” The old lacy, sick as she was, nodded with em Ss. “te doesn't blind me,” she said. “I see through him. He is acting against his own interests, though he doesn’t know it. If, through his means, I should find Hester and her son, I should give him more than I pro- pose to do if she is not discovered.” “T think youare right, Miss Eunice. Would it do to ron a hint to that effect?” **No; I will let him take the consequences of his selfishness.” A ring at the door summoned Jane, who found the subject of discussion waiting anx- iously for tidings of his aunt. “Is my aunt still alive?” he asked. “Yes,” answered Jane, watching his ex- pression closely. “Does the doctor think she will live?” in- quired Elias further. “He says the danger is past, and that she will recover.” The countenance of Elias Simmons fell—he eould not help it, for he was disappointed— and Jane saw and interpreted the expression rigbtly “TY feel very thankful,” he said in a voice | tai which belied his words, “ I feared the worst.” “Yes, no doubt,” responded Jane in an uivocal tone. : *Do you think I might see her? ” “*T don’t know, I will ask.” Jane went to the sick room, but returned with the answer that Miss Simmons didn't feel equal to the exertion. “T could not stand his ede show of grief, Jane,” she said. “Iknow very well he 8 waiting ey for his share of my property. and it would excite me to see him. lester was not like that.” **No, Miss Eunice, she was not.” “Twasa stupid and wrong-headed woman. to treat her as I did. I believe she was really attached to me.” “IT believe so too—I am sure of it.” “Yes, Jane, I know you always took her part. It made me angry once, but now I like ey the better for it. It’s a terrible thing to as old as Iam, and to feel that the one who is nearest to you in blood wishes you out of the way. “It would be still worse if that person was one to whom you were attached.’ “True, Jane; I never did like Elias. I always distrusted him. If I thought Hester felt that way, I should take it much harder, When Elias Simmons left the house, his face was pcomy. Zs “The old woman is going to live after all he muttered. “As longasshe lives I am in danger of losing all by the chance of her dis- eovering those Newtons. If I could only get them out of the way!” . This did not seem easy, however, Ned had secured a good place, and was likely to retain it. If he were out of employ nent it would be much easier to devise means for getting him and his mother outof theeity. Butif a wicked ally very much interested in eth me ly + | ereat to be deed is contemplated there is_usually found some war of compassing it. Elias Simmons set his ingenuity to work to devise some scheme that would suit him. Meanwhile he prepared to convince the lawyer that Mrs. Newton and her son were both dead. Thisintelligenee, he knew, would be communicated to his aunt, and he theught she would be more likely to credit it if it came through her lawyer. One morning Mr. Holbrook, while sitting in his office, received the card of Elias Simmons, with a request for an interview. He direeted that he should be shown into the office. . Mr. Simmons was not alone. With him was aman of about his own age, bronzed by ex- ppavte to the weather, and bearing about a the unmistakable signs of a seafaring a, The lawyer regarded him with an inquiring glance. “ Mr. Holbrook,” said Elias Simmons, ina deferential tone, “let me introduce Captain John Roberts, a merchant captain.” “Tam glad to see Captain Roberts. Take seats, gentlemen, and let me know what I car do for you.” “You remember, Mr. Holbrook, that on my last call I told you I had a clew_to some in- formation respecting my cousin Hester.” “Captain Roberts has*given me tidings which make it clear that both she and her son are dead.” Paul Holbrook eyed Captain Roberts sharp- ly. He did not like his looks. 1t was not easy to define why the man seemed to him untrust- worthy, but that was the conviction which forced itself upon him. Of course he did not allow this «onfavorable impression to be seen. “I shall be glad to hear what Captain Rob- erts has to say,” he answered. It was five years since,” the captain com- menced, “that I found myself in command of a ship bound for California around , Horn. We took a limited number of passen- gers. tg these passengers was a pleas- ant looking lady, who gave her name as Mrs. Hester Newton. With her was a boy of about ten gg’ of age, her son Edward. He wasa bright, manly looking boy, full of life and merriment.” “One question, Captain Roberts, How did it happen that Mrs. Newton took a trip to California?” . ‘She had been thrown upon her own re- sources by the death, or supposed death, of her husband, Richard Newton, the actor. She had found it difficult to make a living for herself and her son in the Enst. Fortunately, as she thought, she was offered a place as housekeeper in the family of a merehant in San Franciseo, who had never seen her, but as her solely on account of his respect fer the talents of her late husband. He of- fered her a liberal salary, and permitted her to keep her boy with her, ‘The offer was sd, espegially as this m . put out te ble ve them, for they were without means. Well, to make a long story short, the fever grew worse instead of better, and in less than three weeks from the time we left Rio, both mother | . were consigned to the eep.” a tt wes a sad tragedy!” said Elias Sim- mon, pulling ~ gees face, “How long since was this, Captain Roberts ?” inquired the lawyer. ‘* Five years.” “I must trouble you to remain while I com- mit your narrative to writing. I will then read it to you, and, if correct, I will ask you to sign it.’ “Certainly, sir, I will do so with pleasure.” Now,” said the lawyer, after this was done, “let me have your address, as I may wish to see you again.” “Mr. Simmcns will always be able to tell you where I am.” “ Very well; that is satisfactory.” The two men left the office. “How did I doit, Simmons?” asked the cap- ane son died, an n. “Splendidly. You told the story so glibly oo you almost persuaded me that it was rue.’ “I flatter myself it was all ship-shape Now Ili trouble you for what you promised me.” Elias Simmons counted out a hundred dollars in bills, and the two separated. “Come to my store to-morrow, and we'll attend to the other matter,” said Simmons. Ned would have been surprised had he been informed that his mother and himself had been dead five years, according to the sworn testimony & Captain Ro : (To be continued.) oo, HOME MADE GYPSIES, Ture ARGOsy has already during the sum- mer noted two novel methods of taking an “outing,” namely on horseback and aboard araft, and now we have to announce a third idea of this unique order. A contemporary informs its readers thata party of Philadelphia people will spend most of the summerin what they call a “ gipsyir trip.” They expect to start early in July, wit a coach, several buckboards, a number of piding horses and some half dozen bicycles, verything necessary for comfort and .con- venience will be carried along. In a pleasant gipsy fashion the party will travel through the most charming parts of the different States, taking steamers to cross rivers only when necessary, and stopping at country inns or wherever they can over night. They will make Mount Desert their destina- tion. Several of the gentlemen will on bicycles and some of the ladies on horse COMIC boo yr ve HS oe a hoe