American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-03-15

but still on good terms. He'd been for
given, and made welcome to the manor
house. Poor Delpratt, take it, was try
ing to like him, and, on the whole,
the young man had behaved pretty
well of late. 1t had been different form
erly. In truth, Ernest was as bad as
Delamere had been. Dismissed from the
army before he was twenty for disgrace
full conduct-cheating at cards-then
guilty of what's called in plain terms, at
the Old Bailey, forgery. But the thing
was hushed up, and the young man was
packed off to Australia. Poor Delpratt,
always feeling acutely his own position.
and doing his best to serve the legitimate
members of the family, gave him up then
as bad job. But he probably softened
towards him of late years, believed in his
reform, and viewed him even affection
ately."
"Who was with him at the time Of his
deaths"
"No one There we're weak. He had
certainly heart disease of considerable
standing-suff1cient, perhaps, to account
for his death There's only this to add.
| He is known to have complained of the
strange taste of his medicines, and of the
great internal pain and burning thirst they
provoked"
"After all, as you said yourself, Mer-
dock, just now, it's but a poor case"
81 repeat it-a poor case"
81 don't see that we've any grounds for
resisting payment of the policy"
perhaps not, as yet. But never rush
fore us, and many things may happen.
And mind, in any case, 1 mean to spring
a mine upon. that young man such as he
little dreams of. Eustace Delpratt was
my friend. don't forget that. Hush!
We've arrived. Remember, you're my
clerk"
The funeral was of simple kind. It
was chiefly remarkable, perhaps, for its
paucity of mourners. But, as Mr.. Mer-
dock had explained, the late Mr.. Delpratt
had, legally speaking, no relatives. No
'tinheritable blood" to use the convey
ancers' term, had flowed in his veins, and
he had died childless.
Ernest Delpratt was the chief mourner.
He'was accompanied by certain members
| of his mothers family, thus indirectly
connected with the deceased. A clergy
man or two from neighboring parishes,
who had been on friendly terms with Mr..
Delpratt, and whose flocks had received
aid from his benevolence; the doctor, and,
| of course, Mr.. Merdock, were in attend
ance. The gentry of the district sent
their carriages, and round the grave were
grouped numerous tenants. farm-laborers,
and poor folk resident upon Lupton
Manor, who were moved to pay last
tribute of respect to its departed pro-
prietor. He had been to them invariably
kind and generous-had never been
known to act harshly, or to speak urgently.
They regretted his loss deeply and sim
cerely, the 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's position
none entertained any doubt. 1t was
thoroughly understood that to him the
late Eustace Delpratt had bequeathed his
entire possessions absolutely.
"Keep close to me, Pixley," Mr.. Mer-
dock whispered to his friend, after the
funeral ceremony was concluded, and the
mourners had returned to the manor
house. Then he added aloud, -" wish it
to be fully known that l have attended
here to-day as the friend for many years,
Eustace We're Delpratt."
"That is quite understood" said En-
est Delpratt, rather impatiently. =" 1t is
now. proposed that in that character you
should read the will of the deceased" He
placed upon the table small packet, the
seals of which had been broken.
"You wish me to do so?'
Certainly. I wish all the usual forms
to be observed on this melancholy occa-
sion."
Be it SO, then. And you produce this
document 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 Delpratt moved anxiously from
one to the other. He was very pale, he
spoke in low, agitated tones, and his
hands trembled exceedingly.
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
grave, business air, turning toward En-
nest Delpratt, "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 Delpratt's |
estate, both real and personal, is be- |
queathed to you, and you are appointed |
his sole executor. You produce this as
his last will and testament? You know
of no other will or codicil executed by |
the deceased!"
'He executed no other will OF codicil,"
said Ernest, in a low, faint voice.
'TLe deceased had, however. it seems, |
some little time since, contemplated max |
ing new disposition of his property. |
He had drawn up few notes and mem |
oranda. He designed to make a hand |
some provision for Mr. Ernest Delpratt.
but the residue of his estate he proposed
to apply in a different way. But need
not go into that. Mr.. Eustace We're Del
pratt did not survive to make new will, |
and these brief writings of his are with
out 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
hair from his glistening, deadly-white
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 de-
ceased's disposition of his estate, seemed |
yet, in spite of themselves, curiously in
terested in the proceedings. They were
impressed, perhaps, by the gravity and
deliberation of Mr.. Merdock's manner.
81 have now to state" he continued,
raising his voice somewhat, that practi |
cally, this document notwithstanding, |
the late Eustace We're Delpratt died in
testate"
There was murmur of surprise. En-
nest Delpratt rose from his seat, and
raised his hand. He tried to speak, but |
his voice appeared to fail him.
Three years after its execution, this
will was revoked"
''By deed?" some one asked.
mo. By the adoption of another
course, not less decisive. In fact, by
marriage"
ats liel" Ernest Delpratt screamed,
hoarsely.
1,k- hzy