The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-02-29

DuJ could n3r0ly SllluldUe VcAdUlOH Oll
learning that that gentleman had been
called away to an important consulta-
ton, and would not be home under two
days.
Physicians were to be had in abund-
ance, however, and they came but they
came too late to do anything for Mr..
Ovington. The silver cord was loosed, /,
and his pitcher was unterly shattered
at the fountain of life.
Great was the CONSERVATION of poor
Alice Ovington, and it was great help to
her that her brother George came home
next day, in the midst of the funeral
preparations. Still, both George and
Alice found themselves of small account
in the house of their grandfather, for
John Grapley had taken all matters in
charge at once, and issued his orders
with the air and manner of a we'll
assured proprietor At first they did
not mind it much, though George
Ovington, more selfish than his sister,
remarked to himself that it augured
little of good for their future prospects
Poor Martin had not seemed to COM
prehend the terrible change in the house
hold affairs, and perhaps his instincts of
self preservation taught him to do his
allowance of discontcnted cawing at q
safe distance from the spirited hands of
John Grapley.
The succeeding day had been set for
the funeral and the coffin lay in
the old, deep-windowed drawing
room, which was, perforce, all thrown
open for the circulation of the warm
summer air, and the entrance of the un-
sympathizing sunlight.
| More than an hour before the time
fixed for the funeral, DR.. Prindlc drove
up to the gate, threw his reins on his
horse, and strobe into the house. He
gave George Ovington a hasty grasp of
the hand, spoke to Alice few kindly
words, and then went on into the par
| lor.
Here he was standing in sorrowful
silence, his usually firm features work.
ing slowly as he gazed down upon the
face of his old friend, when he heard a
step beside him, and the voice of John
Grapley said:
"Ah, doctor, am so serry you were
not here 1 fear you could have done
nothing for him; but just before he was
taken he was wishing to see you"
"To see me? What for 2"
Something about new will. He
said he had made one, but destroyed it,
and wanted your help in framing
another. II led me to believe that he
intended making some liberal provision
for George and Alice"
"That, indeed he did," replied the doc
tor, but somehow he did not feel called
upon to say any more.
"C-a-a-w," added coarse, complain
ing voice at the window; but the flap of
departing wings told that Martins
policy was still one of dobbt and pru-
dence.
"Here," said John, is an envelope
addressed to yourself, which have taken
the liberty to open, as it is unsealcd, and
as have long known it contained my
step-father's will
"You know its contents, them"
90, yes, of course. They are in ac-
cordance with his repeated assurances to
my sainted mother and myself. As it is
in your own handwriting, can tell you
nothing, except that I shall take pleas
ure in carrying out what 1 believe to
have been Mr.. Ovington's intentions to-
ward the children of his disinheited son.
They shall always have Il home and good
provision while | live"
"Aye-yes, indeed, hope So" ab-
stractedly returned the doctor. care
you sure there is no other will! Z"
"Quite sure. l have searched every
where" replied John.
"Well, as l am named an executor
under this instrument, shall deem it
my duty to take look on my own ac-
count" half curtly rejoined the doctor
Il might have something to say as to
what is done in my own house." replied
lection. Let us go to the study"
John Grapley might well have waived
all objection, for his search had been
most thorough, and he was altogether
sure that no subsequent searching would
reveal more. He had been haunted by
| fear that the doctor himself could ac-
count for the paper whose absence had
so excited Mr.. Ovington, but the dread
| had now vanished.
Straight to the secretary went the
doctor, and John Grapley showed him
where he had found the will.
Il knew it would be just there" said
the doctor " but there is something"
"Ca-a-a-caw croaked Martin, from
the window-sill.
"That rascally bird !" exclaimed John
Grapley but, if he had any present no.
ton of doing harm, he was defeated by
the birds quick, tapping dash for his
citadel on the top of the high book
case.
81 think there will be no use in seek
ing further" said John, especially in
view of what Mr.. 0vington said to me
just before he was seized with this sad
attack of apoplexy."
81 fear not" muttered the doctor, as
he bent his eyes for a moment, musingly,
on the floor. Slowly he raised them,
still evidently in deep thought; but,
as he did so, they flashed with sudden
light.
"That rascally bird! What is that he
has got in his beak!"
"Ca-a-a-caw ~ vigorously croaked
Martin, and as his thieving mouth OPEN
ed, long yellow envelope fell at the
doctors feet.
John Grapley gave couvulsive start,
and essayed to pick it up, but the doctor
was too quick for him.
at is addressed to me-" he said "and,
as for its contents, l put.them in myself,
in Mr.. Ovington's presence, the day be-
fore he died. This, John Graplcy, is
your step-father's last will and testa-
ment, and Martin has proved himself a
good witness to it. 1 am more than
half inclined to think that he has been
l