, 1873-02-23

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terested in tho proceedings. They we're in
pressed, perhaps, by tho gravity and delibera-
! ton Of Mr.. Merdock's manner.
"I have now to state," be continued, raisine
his voice somewhat, =; :. that, practically, this
| We're Delpratt died intest.te."
! There was s murmur Of. surprise, Ernest
! Delpratt rose from his seat, and raised Ria
hand. He tried to speak, but his voice appeared
! to fau him.
Three years after its execution, this will
was revoked"
"B7 deed ?" some one asked
s;No. By the adoption OF another course, not
less decisive. In fact BY marriage"
Its lie!" Ernest Delpratt screamed, hoarse-
"The late Mr.. Delpratt." the 1awyez pro-
ceede1, calmly "waa married in Jaau-
MY, 1861 at the Chapel Of tho En-
bassy, in Paris. to Hortense Leroux, .
French actress. Legal proof Of that marriage 7
need hardly enter. I may state, however, tina.
in early life Mr.. Delpratt had met with seyere
disappointment. Flo had contemplated m allizs
ance with young lady, . member Of one Of the
most distinguished families Of this county. To
that union the stain upon his birth Was deemed
by the lady's friends an insuperable objection.
The engagement. II such it may be called, was
therefore abruptly Terminated. AIr. Delpratt was
deeply afflicted. He determined never to marr7,
Some time afterwards lie made this will. be-
ing legitimate member OF his family y-Mr. Ernest
Delpratt. But he had reason at T. later date to
be much offended at the conduct Of the man his
generosity would hare enriched To the pecu-
alIude. Mr.. Ernest Delpratt left England. md
was for nearly tan years absent in Austrslia' n
the interval nv late friend aud client again
turned his thoughts towards marriage. "a re-
enlGed to find wife among class little likely
to bo affected by the circumstances Of his origin
Chance threw him in the vay Of this Hortange
Leroux. She is now dead I will bring M
charge against her, therefore, will only esv
that She was in every way unworthy OF her hus-
band, aud that the marriage was = most unhappy
one. The newly-wedded pair separated forever
within fev weeks Of their union. she was
nmplv provided for. but gur7iyed only a few
years. meeting her death under Yery painful rir-
cumstances. Her dress accidentally caught ire.
and sho was burnt to death upon the stage Of
tho LYONS Theatre. AIr, Deipratt's marriage
was kept strict secret It had been solennized
privately. and was known to yerT few. He neYer
alluded to it. It WAS distressing incident in
his LIE. which he desired to forget. He placed
the proofs of tie marriage in nv h.nds some
yecrs since, OF it's ralidit7 there can be- no DUES
ton Whatever"
''It's trumped-up story" cried Ernest, with
q ivid face. '7Ill go to Law. I'll establish the
will. It's monatrous to suppose that it could be
revoked by such marriage"
~ will simply refer 5ou to the act OF tho first
Victoria, CHARTER 26. Section 49," said the Iag-
yer. "But Won will. of course. proceed az yon
are advised. onIy you viii distinctly under
am not, and that never viii. accept he posi-.
ton Of yonr legal adsiser. / attended hare! I isl
before stated, solely in my character OF SOLICITOR
to my lato friend, Sit. Dclpratt. Gentlemen. +
do not think I need trouble you With any further
observations. This will is waste-paper. It was
revoked by 11r. Delp-att's marriage. He was
well aware of its revocation. He intanded to
revoke it, He had grave fault to find with aIr.
Ernest Dalpratt's conduct, and did not design to
bequeath him Lupton Manor and his other pos
sessions. subsequently ho was disposed, how
ever. to make come provision for tho young man,
But his intentions III that respect we're prevented
by his death.''
A servant entered and handed note to Mrs
Mcrdock
The COMPANY roso. and prepared to emit .
scene that had become strangely painful
And the property ?" one asked.
Mr.. Delpratt dying intestate, and without
legal heirs, his property goes to the Crown"
s It can't bet shan't be-" Ernest cried.
wildly. " ri not be swindled in this ahaneir1
way. I'll enforce my rights. I'll cstablish The
viii. At least tho amount Of the insurances
shall DO mine. heponcies are in my possession.
They wero legally assigned to me. can provo
t. It has always been understood that they
liberty to state that, acting on nv sdyice, the
Of the Mbatross Office viii refuse pa7-
nent of the claim"
The lawyer looked tho young man gery stead
" in the face
What next ? What arc you going to charge
no with next ? Refuse ppTmont How dais
on? Whv-do you think poisoned the man7H
ave know YOU did /" said Mr., Merdock
uickly. in low tone, as he struck his clenched
and sharply upon tho table, and handed thenots
. had just received to Ernost Delpratt.
He clutched it tre.nblinsly: resd it with rag
ag eyes. Then It fell from his shaking fingers,
I'd tlutterod on to the floor. He gave strange,
iteous moan ; raised his hands. and pressed
hem aeuinst his head. az though to still soma
srribly acute pain.
I'm iii" be mu,mured. faint1v. sLet ma
ct some fresh air. shall be- better presently
I ehalr'--and ho staggered from the room.
Mr.. Merdock found 6imgeH left alone With
II. Pi1ley,
~ told YOU should spring 3 nina upon tha.
oupr man. said the layyer. 9nie.1y. II thinE
yo been IS good as nv word.
What was that note Won handed him 2''
"Read it.'
Mr.. Pixlev took the paper from the floor and
,ad: "E. D. bought arsenic Of Gibbons. Chem
t. Catherine street SALISBURY. on the I7th and
@th October. and tie 20th Noyember.n