CONCLUSION
The news was that Mr. Manning and Mark had just arrived at the Cedars.
They had come by the last evening train. Why they had come back so
unexpectedly no one knew, but the servant had heard that Mark was in
poor health. This was true.
Mark, in Europe, had proved uncontrollable. He had given way to his
natural love of drink, had kept late hours, and had seriously injured
his constitution. In consequence of these excesses, he had contracted a
fever, which alarmed him father and induced him to take the first
steamer home.
"We won't call upon your stepfather this evening, Frank," said Col.
Vincent; "but early Monday morning we will bring matters to a crisis."
Mr. Manning did not hear of Frank's presence in the village. He was
fatigued with his rapid travel and kept at home. Besides, Mark was
prostrated by his journey and didn't wish to be left alone.
It was, therefore, a surprise to Mr. Manning when on Monday morning,
Col. Vincent was ushered into his presence, accompanied by Frank.
"Really, colonel," he said, recovering his composure, "you are very kind
to call so soon. I hope you are well, Frank? Are you staying with the
colonel? You must come back to your old home."
"Thank you, Mr. Manning, but I am living in New York. I am only passing
a day or two with the colonel."
"It is very friendly in you to call, Col. Vincent."
"Mr. Manning," said Col. Vincent, gravely, "I am not willing to receive
undeserved credit. Let me say, therefore, that this is a business, not a
friendly, call."
"Indeed," said Manning, uneasily.
"The business is connected with my young friend Frank."
"I am ready to listen," said Mr. Manning. "If Frank wants a larger
allowance, I am ready to give it."
"I venture to say for him that he will not be satisfied with that. Let
me come to the point at once, Mr. Manning. Mrs. Manning's will has been
found."
Mr. Manning started perceptibly, and his glance involuntarily wandered
to that part of the wall behind which the will was discovered, for they
were sitting in the very apartment where Mrs. Noonan had stumbled upon
it.
"What do you mean, sir?"
"A will has been found, leaving the bulk of the property to Frank."
"Indeed! I am surprised. Is it a later will than the one which
bequeathed the estate to me?" asked Mr. Manning, pointedly.
"It is Mrs. Manning's latest genuine will," said Col. Vincent,
emphatically.
Mr. Manning started to his feet. He could not help understanding the
colonel's meaning. It would have been idle to pretend it.
"What do you mean, Col. Vincent?" he asked, in a tone which he tried to
make one of dignified resentment.
"I mean that Mrs. Manning made but one will, and that this bequeaths the
property to Frank."
"How, then, do you account for the later will which was admitted to
probate?"
"In this way. It was not what it purported to be."
Mr. Manning's sallow face flushed.
"What do you mean to insinuate?" he asked.
"That the last will was forged!" said Col. Vincent, bluntly.
"This is a very serious charge," said Mr. Manning, unable to repress his
agitation. "You must allow me to say that I shall pay no attention to
it. When you furnish proof of what you assert, it will be time enough to
meet it. And now, gentlemen, if you have nothing further to say, I will
bid you good-morning."
"I think you will find it best not to be in a hurry, Mr. Manning," said
Col. Vincent. "The charge must be met here and now. I charge you with
instigating and being cognizant of the fraud that has been perpetrated!"
"On what grounds, sir? Do you know I can sue you for libel?"
"You are welcome to do so, Mr. Manning. I have a witness who will clear
me."
"Who is he?"
"Jonas Barton!"
If a bombshell had exploded in the room, Mr. Manning could not have
looked paler or more thoroughly dismayed. Yet he tried to keep up a
little longer.
"I don't know any man of that name," he answered, faintly.
"Your looks show that you do. I may as well tell you, Mr. Manning, that
resistance is useless. We can overwhelm you with proof if we take the
matter before the courts. But we do not care to do so. We have something
to propose."
"What is it?" said Mr. Manning, faintly.
"The genuine will must be substituted for the fraudulent one. By it you
will receive ten thousand dollars, and Frank will consent that you shall
receive it. He will not ask you to account for the sums you have
wrongfully spent during the last year, and will promise not to prosecute
you, provided you leave this neighborhood and never return to it, or in
any way interfere with him. To insure this, we shall have Jonas Barton's
written confession, attested before a justice of the peace, ready for
use, if needful. Do you accept?"
"I must," said Mr. Manning, despondently. "But I shall be a poor man."
"No man who has health and the use of his facilities is poor with ten
thousand dollars," answered the colonel.
"Mark alone will spend more than the interest of this sum."
"Then you must prevent him. He will be better off if he has to earn his
living, as Frank has done for the last year."
In less than a week the transfer was made, and Frank recovered his
patrimony.
Mr. Manning and Mark went to Chicago, and perhaps further West; but
nothing has been heard from them for years.
Frank didn't return to the Cedars. The place was let until he should
wish to return to it.
By the advice of Col. Vincent, he resumed his preparation for college,
and, graduating in due time, commenced the study of law.
Though rich enough to do without a profession, he felt that he should
not be content to lead an aimless life.
He obtained for his school friend, Herbert Grant, the post of private
secretary to Mr. Percival, and Herbert became nearly as great a favorite
as himself.
Through Mr. Percival's kindness, Herbert was enabled, while still living
at his house and attending to his duties as secretary, to enter Columbia
College, and complete his course there, graduating with honor.
Herbert selected the medical profession, and, when he has completed his
studies, will go abroad for a year with Frank, at the latter's expense,
and, returning, open an office in New York.
While he is waiting for the patients and Frank for clients, the two
will live together, and their common expenses will be defrayed by Frank.
"If I didn't like you so well, Frank," said Herbert, "I would not accept
this great favor at your hands--"
"But since we are dear friends," interrupts Frank, with a smile.
"I know that you enjoy giving even more than I do the receiving."
"Enough, Herbert. We understand each other. I have no brother, Herbert,
and if I had, I could not care more for him than I do for you. Without
you, I should feel alone in the world."
Frank does not regret the year in which he was thrown upon his own
resources. It gave him strength and self-reliance; and however long he
may live, he will not cease to remember with pleasure the year in which
he was "Making His Way."
THE END