The Argosy — page 118: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

-—- — a= —_-: rs 106 The Master of Greylands. When I presented myself to my Uncle james yesterday, he seemed. much to resent the fact that I should put in any claim to the estate ; he told me I had noright to do so; he said it was his.” “Well?” said the banker ; for the young man had paused. ‘Uncle Peter, I am not unreasonable. I come home to find my Uncle James in possession of the estate, and quite ready, as I gather, to oppose my claim to it; or, I would better say, to treat me and my claim with contempt. Now I do not forget that my grandfather might have left it to Uncle James; that he had the power to do so ” ‘Most undoubtedly he had,” again interrupted the banker. ‘ And I can tell you, that he never, to the very last, allowed anybody to interfere with his wish and will.” ‘Well, I say I am not unreasonable, Uncle Peter. I should not attempt to present myself here and lay claim to the estate in the teeth of facts. Itold Uncle James so. Once let me be convinced that the estate was really and fairly bequeathed to him, and I would not, for the world, wish to disturb him in its possession. I am not a rogue.” ‘‘But he is in possession, Anthony ; and it appears that you do wish to disturb him,” remonstrated Mr. Peter Castlemaine. “T beg your pardon; I think you have not quite caught my meaning. What I want is to be assured that Greylands’ Rest was left away from my father. If Uncle James came into it by will, or by legal deed of any kind, let him just show me the deed or the will, and that will suffice.” “You doubt his word, then ?” Young Anthony hesitated, before replying ; and then spoke out with ingenuous candour. “The fact is, Uncle Peter, I deem it righ¢ to assure myself by proof of how the matter stands ; for my father warned me that there might be treachery ” “Treachery !” came the quick, echoing interposition of the banker ; his dark eyes flashing fire. ‘“‘ My father thought it possible,” quietly continued the young man ; “he feared that, even though Greylands’ Rest was legally mine, my claim to it might be opposed. That is one reason why I press for proof. Another reason is, that I find that doubts were already existing abroad as to how Mr. James Castlemaine came into the estate, and whether it was lawfully his.” ‘‘ Doubts existing abroad! Doubts where ?” ‘“‘ Amid the neighbours, the people of Greylands. I have heard one and another talk of it.” ‘Oh, indeed!” was the cold rejoinder. ‘Pray where are you staying?” “At the Dolphin Inn, Uncle Peter. When I descended at it, and saw the flaming dolphin on the sign-board, splashing up the water, I could not help smiling; for my father had described (it to, me. so accurately, that it seemed like an old acquaintance.” ECoOMmicloooks (C(O) in —_)