Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-03-08
/" No doubt.n

L
of March, 1852"
That is the will in question. 1t W
found in Mr.. Delpratt's desk.'
You found none of later date? \
will or codicil?'
"No, though 1 made careful scare
Some rough memoranda as to the dispos
OF his property did find, but these we
e unsigned-mere notes of an inform
character. Nothing in the nature of
!, will. You know Of none?"
So know Of none.''
There was pause.
Mr.. Dellpratt died rather suddenly
that is to say, he had been suffering, as a
his household well knew, from disease {
tne heart Of long standing. Still non
looked for his illness terminating fatal
, at so early a date. His medical attendap
visited him frequently of late. He wa
not present, however, when the sad even
occurred. He is fully satisfied, however
as to the cause of death. He attribute,
1t to aneurismal hypertrophy of the heart
L am not doctor enough to understan,
precisely his meaning"
The young man dabbed his white fac
with his handkerchief. He was mucl
moved, and his voice trembled as be con
tinued.
81 need hardly saw tba
my cousins death has been ,
heavy blow to me. As you know, Mr.
Merdock, in times past there were many
differences between us-due to my folly
10 my misconduct, l am now prepared
fully to admit. But we had been recon
elled. We were on intimate and affec-
tlonate terms. l regarded him as nv
beenefactor, and was deeply grateful for
ately was absent from the house at the
time of his death"
Mr.. MerdOck was silent, but he now
seemed from under his beetling brows to
eye his visitor with a new curiosity. His
attention was attracted perhaps by the
restlessness that marked the young mans
manner. He moved uneasily in his chair.
shifting his position constantly, and twist
ing his handkerchief into a string by the
unconscious cOntOrtions of his hands.
had left the house early in the MORN
Ing to attend the meet at some few miles
distance from Lupton. 1t was late when
l returned. My cousin had then been
dead some hours. Coming up to London.
TO transact some business that could not
be postponed, resolved to call upon you.
Mr.. Merdock. In the first place, have
to request that you will attend the funeral.
which is fixed for the 9th, at noon, and
in the next place to beg that you will act
on my behalf, as my legal adviser, in the
new position that devolves upon me un-
der the terms of Mr.. Delpratt's will"
~ shall attend the funeral, of course"
said the lawyer. 81 have sincere respect
for the memory of my late friend. shall
attend, II you please, In my character as
professional adviser, during many years,
of the deceased"
"a carriage shall meet the early train
from town at Andover-the nearest sta
ton to Lupton Manor"
ANY business arrangements in regard
to your own future pOsilon it NAV be
well, perhaps, to defer until after the fil-
neral"
:" As you think best. Good morning,
Mr.. Merdock. 1 will only add a hone
that you will dismiss any prejudice YOU
may have formed against me In relation
to my life in the past. 1 do assure You
that am different man. am not now
as you once knew.me. Good morning.n
Later in the day the lawyers room was
abruptly entered by Mr.. Pixley, the sec
retary of the Albatross Insurance Com |
pany, OF which institution Mr.. Merdock |
had been for many years the solicitor.
II was passing, Merdock, so l thought |
I'd look in," said Mr.. Pixley, an active, |
Dustling gentleman, who always declined |
chair, finding that he could talk with |
greater ease if permitted an erect posture,
with space for free movement and gesticu-
alton. Were in for heavy claim. The
matters not ripe for discussion, but it's |
worth mentioning. l don't say that it's |
suspicious as yet; but it's odd, and SOON
n or later, take it, you'll have to look
nto it for US. Yet the parties are of great
they always are, 1 notice,
n cases of an unpleasant complexion.
And it's odd, as l said. The life only
iropped four days ago. Yet already it's |.
'een thought advisable to notify the fact
o us, and the party most interested has
allied in person at the Office. Now con-
ider that rather sharp work. What can
'e the reason oft? It's a policy of long
heavy risk-we divided IL. Of
curse, with other offices, but still we
tand to lose a large amount. The sum
insured, with accumulated bonuses,
he question"
That's the name of the gentleman
Vho called upon you," said Mr.. Merdock.
nd he handed the secretary MIR. Ernest
)elpratt's card.
The very man! You've seen him
$50! Upon my word he doesn't let the
rass grow under his feet.''
He didn't come here about the insur-
nee: but happen to know q good deal
bout the case. The late Mr.. Delpratt
'as client of mine. It was through me
ne insurance was effected. He was the
atural son of old Joshua Delpratt, who
equeathed to him absolutely the Lupton
Lanor estate-a property of considerable
alue In Hampshire. Joshua Delpratt
as never married. His presumptive [
cir was his nephew, Delamere Delpratt,
he father of Ernest. Delamere Delpratt |
as scoundrel, and Joshua proclaimed {
Is intention to Eustace, rather than to {
IS nephew, Delamere, who had brought 1
sgrace upon the family. To assist Del
mere Eustace borrowed large sum of I
oney. This was In Joshua's lifetime,
ind. Eustace. could not of course [
large the estates, which he was only to
'9uire under the viii of q man who q
as still living. and who might at any !
me change his mind as to the dispo- |
i of his property. The only security
ustace could offer was his reversionarv !
terest in sum in the funds invested for !