Litchfield enquirer., 1873-03-06

The funeral was of 8 simple kind. It was chiefly remarkable, perhaps, for its paucity of mourners. But, as NIT. Mer- dock had explained, the late Mir. Del pratt had, legally speaking, no relatives. No ssinheritable blood" to use the con- veyancers' 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 Mir. Delpratt, and whose hocks had received aid from his benevolence; the doctor, and, of course, Mir. 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 Man. or, who were moved to pay last tribute of respect to its departed proprietor. He had been to them invariably kind and generous-had never been known to act harshly, or to speak urgently. They re- gretted his loss deeply and sincerely, 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 Del pratt's position none entertained any doubt. It was thoroughly understood that to him the late Eustace Delpratt had bequeathed his entire possessions abso- lutelv.
 ''Keep close to me, Pixley," Mir. Mer- dock whispered to his friend, after the funeral ceremony was concluded, and the mourners had returned to the manor house. Then he added alond, t'I wish it to be fully known that I have attended 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 Er- nest Delpratt, rather impatiently. ''It 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. 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 Mir. Eustace We're DeIpratt ?"
 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. Murdock took his seat at the head of the table. He placed beside him Q black leather bag.
 ''The will you produce" he said with grave, business-like air, turning towards Ernest Delpratt, ''bears date the 18th of March, 1859. It was drawn by me, and my name appeaes as that of one of the attesting the due execution of the document by the testator. By this this will the whole of MT. Eustace Del. pratt's estate, both real and personal, is bequeathed to you, and you are appoint ed his sole executor. You produce this as his last will and testament? You know of no other will or codicil executed by the decesed ?" .....'.
 "He executed no other will or codicil," said Ernest, in low, faint voice.
 ''The deceased had, however, it seems some little time since contemplated mak- ing new disposition of his property. He had drawn up few notes and memo randa. He designed to make handsome provision for MT. Earnest Delpratt, but the residue of his estate he proposed to apply in different way. But need not go into. that. MT. Eustace We're Delpratt d1d not survive to make new will, and these brief writings of his are without le- gal value."
 MT. Merdock paused, and took pinch of snuff. An intense qu1et prevailed in the room. The quick breathing of Ern- est was plainly audible. He brushed his hair from his glistening, deadly-white face. Then, as though preceiving how much his hand trembled, he withdrew it hurriedly, and thrust it out of sight un- der the table. The other persons present, though we'll aware that they were like ly to benefit in no way by the deceased's of his estate, seemed yet, in spite of themselves, curiously interested in the proceedings. They were impress ed. perhaps, by the gravity and delibera- tion of Mir. Merdock's manner.
 ''I have now to state" he. continued, raising his voice somewhat, 'this document notwithstanding, the late Eustace We're Delpratt died intestate."
 There was murmer of surprise. Ern- est Delpratt rose from his seat, and raised his hand. He tried to speak, but his
 
 Three years after it's execution, this will was revoked" ?
 ''By deed 3" some one asked.
 "No. By the adoption of another course, not less decisive. In fact, by marriage" s. ..5
 ''It's lie!" Ernest Delpratt screamed, loarsely.
 ''The late Mir. Delpratt," the lawyer calmly, "was married in Jan nary, 1862. at the chapel of the embassy, n Paris, to Hortense Leroux, Q French actress. Legal proof of that marriage I nave with me. Into the details of the matter need hardly enter. I may state, however, that in early life MT. Delpratt nad met with severe disappointment. He had contemplated an alliance with young lady, member of one of the most distin- guished families of this country. To that union the stain upon his birth was deemed by the ladys friends an insuperable objec- 5ion. She engagement, if such it may be called, was therefore abruptly terminated. Mir. Delpratt was deeply afflicted. He determined never to marry. Sometime af- rewards he made this will, bequeathing his entire property to the only surviving legitimate member of his family MT. Ernest DeIpratt. But he had reason at a later date to be much offended at the con- duct of the man his generosity would have enriched. To the peculiar circumstances of the case will not further allude. MT. 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 mar- riage. He resolved to find wife among B class little likely to be affected by the of his origin. Chance threw him in the way of this Hortense Leroux She is now dead; I will bring no charge against her, therefore. I will only say that she was in every way un- worthy of her husband, and that the mar riage was most unhappy one. The new ly welded pair separated forever within a few weeks of their union. She was amp ly provided for, but survived only few years, meeting her death under very pain full circumstances. Her drsss accidentally caught fire, and she was burnt to death upon the stage of Lyons Theatre. Mir. Delpratt's marriage was kept strict se- cret. It had been solemnized privately, an1 1vac Hvamx &r ryorvxy Ha ~,oror