The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-03-22

folk resident upon Lupton Manor who were
moved to pay Il last tribute of respect to its
departed proprietor. He had been to them
invariably kind and gcnerous-had never
been known to act harshly, or to speak I'm.
gently. They regretted his loss deeply and
sincerclythc more especially that they seemed
to view with some distrust the gentleman
who was recognized on all sides as the future
squire of Lupton Manor. OF Ernest Delpratt 5
position none entertained any doubt 1t was
thoroughly understood that to him the late
Eustacc Delpratt had bequeathed his entire
possessions absolutely.
Keep close to me, Pixley," Mr. Mcrdock
whispered to his friend, after the funeral ccre.
mony was concluded, and the mourners had
returned to the manOrhouse. Then he added
aloud, ~ wish it fully know that | have at
tended here to-day as the friend for many
years, and the professional adviser of the late
Eustace We're Delpratt"
THAT is quite understood" said Ernest Del.
pratt, rather impaticntly. 1T is now proposed
that in that character you should read the will
of the deceased. He placed upon the table
IL small packet, the seals of which had been
broken
You wish we to do OF
"Ccrtaialy. wish all the usual forms to
be observed on this melancholy occasion"
mcnt as the last will OF the late Mr. Eustace
We're Delpratt?'
only small party was assembled in the
spacious library of Lupton Manor Ernest
Depratt moved anxiously from one to the
other. He was very pale, he spoke III low,
agitated tones, and his hands trembicd eX-
cccdingly.
Mr.. Merdock took his seat at the head of
the table. He placed beside him a small black
leather bag.
The will you produce" he said, with a
grave, business air, turning towards Ernest
! Dclpratt "bears date the 18th of March, 1859
1t was drawn by me, and my name appears
as that of one of the witnesses, attesting the
due execution of the document by the testatOr
BY this will the whole of Mr.. Eustace Del
pratt's estate, real and personal, is bequeathed
| to YOU, and you are appointed his sole exec
utOr. You produce this as his last will and
testament: You know of no other will or
cOdiCil executed by the deccased:"
He executed no other will or codicil," said
Ernest, in Il low, faint voice.
The deceased had however, it seems, some
little time since, contemplated making a new
disposition of his property. He had drawn
up a few notes and memoranda. He designed
to make handsome provision for Mr.. Ernest
Delpratt, but the residue of his estate he pro-
posed to apply in different way But need
not 90 into that Mr.. EustaCe We're Delpratt
did not survive to make a new will, and these
brief writings of his are without legal value"
Mr. Merdock paused and took pinch of
snuff An intense quiet prevailed in the room.
The quick breathing of Ernest was plainly
audible. He brushed his his hair from his
gistening, deadly-whte face. Then, as though
perceiving how much his hand trembled, he
withdrew it hurriedly, and thrust it out of
sight under the table. The other persons
present, though yet well aware that they were
likely to benefit in no way by the deceascd's
disposition of his estate, seemed yet, in spite
of themselves, curiously interested in the
proceedings. They were impressed, perhaps,
by the gravity and dcliberation of Mr. Mer-
docks manner.
II have now to state" he continued, raising
his voice somewhat, that practically, this
document Notwithstanding, the late EustaCe
We're Delpratt died instestate,"
There was a murmur of surprise. Ernest
Delpratt rose from his seat, and raised his
hand He tried to speak, but his voice APP
pcared to fail him.
Three years after its execution, this will
was revoked
by decd" some one asked.
mo. BY the adoption of another course
not less decisive. In fact, by marriage"
Its lier Ernest Delpratt screamed,
hOarsely.
The late Mr. Delpratt," the lawyer pro-
ceeded, calmly, was married in January,
1862, at the chapel of the embassy, in Paris, |
to Hortense Leroux, French actress. Legal
proof of that marriage have with me. Into
the details of the matter | need hardly enter
| may state however, that in early life Mr..
Delpratt had met with severe disappointment
He had contemplated an alliance with young
lady, a member of one of the most distin-
guishcd families of this country. TO that
union the stain upon his birth was deemed
by the lady's friends an insuperable objection.
The engagement, if such it may be called,
was therefore abruptly terminated Mr.. Del
pratt was deeply afflicted. He determined
never to marry Some time afterwards he
made this will, bequeathng his entire prop
erty to the only surviving legitimate member
of his family, Mr., Ernest Dclpratt. But he
had reason at later date to be much offend
ed at the conduct of the man his generosity
would have enriched. To the peculiar cir
of the case | will not further al
lude Mr. Ernest Delpratt left England, and
was for nearly ten years absent IN Australia
In the interval my late friend and client again
turned his thoughts towards marriage. Hel
resolved to find n wife among IA class little
likely to he affected by the circumstances of
his origin. Chance threw him in the way of
this Hortense LerOuX. She is now dead; |
will bring no charge against her, therefore.
will only say that she was in every way un-
worthy of her husband, and that the marriage
was most unhappy one. The newly-wedded
pair separated forever within few weeks OF
their union. She was amply provided for,
but survived only few years, meeting her
4 nj
dress accidtntly caught fire, and she was
burnt to death upon the stage of the Lyons
Theatre. Mr. Delpratt's marriage was kept
strict secret. 1t had been sOlemnized prl-
vately, and was known to very few. lie never
alluded to it. II was distressing incident IN
his life, which he desired to forget. He placed
the proofs of the marriage in my hands some
years since. OF its validity there can be no
question whatever.
ITS a trumped up story" cried Ernest
with a livid face I'm 30 to law. I'll es-
T. N,..,t to an