The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-08-06
OLD KILBoRNE's WILL.

lOuB dgO ECmONcu INC dVeuueS, leuV-
ing the perverse millionaire to hold
his own among the growing business
| Of the once aristocratic thoroughfare.
A bunch of black Grape still hung on
the bell knob, four days after the fune-
raj, when a bent, willy looking man
pulled it. Being admitted, he was
shown into dingy room which Mr..
Kilborne had in his life used as an
Office. This bent willy looking man
was Lawyer Whittemore.
Good morning" said the lawyer,
as Robert, grandchild Of the dead
millionaire, young man who showed
plainly the marks of rough social us
age, entered and extended his hand
rather listlessly.
Good morning" was the reply.
"Well~
"Well?" echoed the lawyer.
"You got my note?"
Asking me to meet you here ?
Yes what do you want?"
"You drew my grandfather's will ?"
81 did, two days before he died"
"What were its contents ?"
81 have no right to tell YOU" and
Mr.. Whittemore tried to look severe.
ut is with the surrogate now, and you
will know its contents on Thursday.
when it will be officially opened. /
couldn't think of violating my official
| -"
"Not unless you are paid for it,"
interrupted the young man. II un-
derstand that perfectly well, and will
be plain and brief with you. As you
are aware, myself and my cousin Ny
ra are the only living relatives of my
grandfather. We have been brought
up here in this house together, and
each hates the other as much as posi-
bic. Now, I've no idea how the prop
erty is left, and want to know. l am
willing to pay for the knowledge in
advance of the opening of the will,
and you have it to SELL"
The lawyer assented with n cool nod
of his head.
"Then name your price," continued
Robert.
"One thousand dollars"
81 haven't so much"
"a note for month will do"
The document was quickly written
out, signed by the young man, and
transposed to the lawyers pocket.
"The will" then said Mr.. Witte-
more, sis a strange one-as strange as
the man who made it-but he would
listen to no advice, and had nothing
10 do but carry out his wishes. He
leaves all his property to Myra Xii,
borne" ehsF Ht
oh him." hissed Robert.
"Hold," said the lawyer, "until you
hear the conditions. He leaves all
his property to Myra, as | said before,
on condition that she shall immediate
ly sign an agreement to, within a year,
become your wife. If she shall decline
to fulfill this condition, the property be-
longs to you. The only other point is
that in case Myra marries any body
before the will is opened, she gets the
property the same as if she marries
you. But that provision, of course, is
of no consequence, as she is not likely
to marry before day after tomorrow,
which will be the Thursday on which
the document is to be opened"
Here the lawyer stopped and looked
into his companions face as if expect
ing an expression Of displeasure. He
was disappointed, however, for Robert
seemed rather satisfied than otherwise.
ut pleases me we'll enough" he
said, "for l half expected to be cut of
Internationally. You see, I've been
rather fast, and the old man disliked
it, while Myra's gentle ways and at
tentlon to his wants won his regard.
She is completely bound up in her
lover, Harry Perton, who is hundreds
of miles away just now, and l don't
believe she would give him up for the
fortune a dozen times over. Even if
she should consent to marry me,
wouldn't be so badly off with the prop
erty almost under my control"
The lawyer here arose, bade his un-
scrupulous patron good day, and went
out. But as he did so, had his ears
been younger, he might have caught
tho sound of rustling skirts enveloping
the pretty form for Myra Kilborne,
who heard every word Of the interview
by listening at the door.
$50, so" she Unused when she had
reached her own room and thrown her.
self into the chair, Pm to buy the
fortune by selling myself. won't Dc
it. l would not give up Harry for
fifty times a million. Robert can
take the money, and much good may
it do him."
Yet, Notwithstanding her conclusive
decision, nyra could not relinquish
| without q nnnm the inrfnnn 10 nhicL