Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-03-08

: my friend. don't forget that. Husf
, We've arrived. Remember you're m
: clerk"
The funeral was of simple kind.
was chiefly remarkable, perhaps, fl
its paucity Of mourners. But, as M
Merdock had explained, the late Mr.. De
pratt had, legally speaking, no relative.
No Unbeatable blood" to use the cor
veyancers' term, had flowed in his veins
and ne had died childless.
Ernest Delpratt was the chief mournel
keep close to me, Pixley," Mr.. MeI
dock whispered to his friend, after the flu
neral ceremony was concluded, and tn
mourners had returned to the manor
house. Then he added aloud, al wish i
10 be fully known that / have ATTENDED
here to-day as the friend of many wear
and the professional adviser, of the lat,
Eustace We're Delpratt."
| That is quite understood. - said Er
nest Delpratt, rather impatiently, "It /,
now proposed that in that character vol
SHOULD read the will of the deceased, HI
placed upon the table q small packet the
seals OF which had been broken.
g You wish me to do so ?"
Certainly. wish all the usual forms
to be observed on this melancholy occa-
sion.''
=" Be 1t so, then. And you produce this
document as the last will of the late Mr..
Eustace We're Delpratt T'
MIR. Merdock took bib seat at the head
OF the table. He placid beside him a
small black leather bag.
1.-The will you produce, I" he said, with
grave, business-like air, turning toward
Ernest 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. Bv this
will the whole Of Eustace Delpratt's es-
tate, both real and personal, is bequeathed
to you, and you are appointed his sole ex-
ecutor. 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 or codicil, -
said Ernest, in low, faint voice.
1.-The deceased had, however, it seems,
some little time since, contemplated max
ing new disposition of his property.
lie had drawn up few notes and men,
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 60 into that. Mr.. Eustace We're Del
pratt did not survive to make a new will.
ard these brief writings Of his are with,
out legal value"
Mr.. Merdock paused, and took a pinch
of snuff.
have now to state" he continued.
raising his voice somewhat, " that practi-
cally, this document Notwithstanding the
ate Eustace We're Delpratt died intes-
There was murmur of surprise. Ern-
est Delpratt rose from his seat, and raised
MS 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.
"No. By the adoption of another
.iage."
It's lie" Ernest Delpratt screamed, |
"The late Mr.. Delpratt,, the LAWYER
proceeded, calmly, was married in jan |
iary, 1852, at the chapel of the embassy,
II Paris, to Hortense Leroux, French |
lctress. Legal proof of that marriage |
lave with me. Into the details Of the
natter l need hardly enter. may state. !
lowover, that in early life Mr.. Delpratt
lad met with severe disappointment. He
had contemplated an alliance with a
'oung lady, member of one of the most
!iAnguished families of this country.
70 that unien the stain upon his birth was
leemed by the lady's friends an insupera-
,ie objection. The engagement, II such
may De called, was therefore abruptly
MIR. Delpratt was deeply af-
!icted. He determined never to marry.
'ome time afterwards he made this will,
his entire property to the
My surviving legitimate member of his
amily-Mr: Ernest Delpratt. But he had
easOn at later date to be much offended
{ the conduct of the man his generosity
would have enriched. To the peculiar cir
of the case / will not further
uude. Mr.. Ernest Delpratt left Eng
and, and was for nearly ten years absent
D Australia. In the interval nv late
riend and client again turned his thoughts
owards marriage. He resolved to find
7ife among a class little likely to be af-
ected by the circumstances of his origin.
nance threw him In the way of this Hor-
ense Leroux- She is now dead; I bring
o charge against her, therefore. 1 II
MI only say that she was
, every way unworthy of her hus-
and, and that the marriage was a most
nhappy one. The newiy-wedded pair
eparated forever within few weeks of
heir union. She was amply provided for
ut survived only few years, meeting her
cath under very painful circumstances. I,
Ter dress accidentally caught fire, and she
as burnt to death upon the stage of the [
yons theater. Mr.. Delpratt's marriage [
as kept strict secret. It had been SOL
nnized privately, and was known to
cry few. He never alluded to it. It was
distressing incident in his life, which he
esired to forget. He placed the proofs
the marriage In my hands some years
nee. OF its validity there can be no {
nestion whatever" ,
'It's trumped-up story" cried Ern- I
It, with livid face. "I'll 90 to law, IN
tabllsh the will. It's monstrous to sup- ,
ose that it could be revoked by such a
arriage."
A servant entered and handed note to
r.. Merdock.
The company rose, and prepared to quit !
scene that had become strangely pain
i.
sand the property p one asked.
SMr naIDroff Iv;c, ;-x..x-x- -.