LITERATURE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5551, 24 February 1886, Page 1

LITERATURE.

A LIFE ASSUBANCE MYSTERY. [Br thh Author op " Caoing an Heirkbs."] Chapter I.— (Continued.) The policy was is3ued, the draft of the mortgage deed was sent to Mr Skingle and approved by him, subject to one or two alterations, which wore agreed to. On the day appointed for the settlement Mr Dancey arrived at Mr Manferry's office some minutes before the appointed hour. "How are yon, Mr Dance/? Did you go to Brighton ? " " I went yesterday, as I told you I intended doing, but Skingle was not there. I suppose he came to town the day before. But I got on very well without him. I had a fair feed and some whist afterwards. That is my idea of a blow at the seaside." "I knew you had not Been Mr Skingle. He iB in Paris." "In Paris! What, is there to be a delay ? That is scandalous." "There will be no delay. I have had a letter from Mr Skingle informing me that he has instructed Mr Pence, a solicitor, to attend on Ms behalf." " That will do. "What can have taken Skingle to Paris?" " 1 think he knowß your bride-elect." "Old Nepicar introduced me to him. Skingle has known Elsie for years, and it is on the cards that he may handsomely remember her in his will. You see he is separated from Mrs Skinglo, and there are no young Skingles." Mr Manferry recollected what Mr Skicgle had said to him about Miss Nepicar, and though ,it was a delicate Bubject he resolved to give Mb client a hint. " Good. Mr Skingltit spoke enthusiastically about MiHS Nepicar. Perhaps, if he had not a Mra Skingle, he might have been » rival Buitor. " No, Mr Manferry, for he iB too old and too ugly. He is fond of Elsie and Elsie is fond of Mm, but she only carea for Mm as a sort of extra-Fa." An extra-Pa! Mr Manferry put his glass in Mb eye, stared at Mr Dancey, and at that moment Mr Fence came in. " I have been concerned for Mr Skingle in a small matter," said that gentleman, " but I know nothing of this business, and my instructions are to hand over a cheque and to receive some papers." After the usual signing and witnessing, Mr Fence gave Mr Dancey a cheque for £10,000 and received the papers from Mr Skingle. By request Mr Manferry had prepared his bill of coats which Mr Dancey paid with notes. " I shall be travelling about for a few weeks, but I will call on you when I return. I am going to keep on my chambers at Westminster. They will be handy when my wife and I are in London until we decide where we shall live. Old Nepicar may want to see us in America." " Where do you propose to honeymoon ? " "It is not fixed. Skingle proposes Italy, and if we p o there he will meet us. Elsie longs to see Borne." When Mr Dancey went away Mr Manferry shrugged his shoulders and said — "He is infatuated and blind. I gave him a broad hint, but in vain. It is impossible to save a fool from being foolish. It is a caae of M. and M. Perhaps before he is many months older he would give much of Ilia money to be quit of his marriage. But the wife may avoid divorce, and death is usually slow to oblige an unhappy husband."