The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-07-20

She led me up through long, lofty
passage, and into a large room, whose
deep twilight was emily relieved by a
curtain partially drawn at the window
most remote from the bed. As we en-
tered she said, in a low voice:
'sYou will excuse me for not present.
ing you to Judge Brewer formally. He
is quite often in peculiar mood, and
he is also exceedingly deaf"
The curtains around the bed were
partly put away, and saw man living
there. A pair of white, cadaverous
hands, with skeleton-l;ke fingers, Law
upon the counterpane, and the face was
turned from us to the wall. isizst.
"My husband can not bear the lieht.
You may find it difficult to do your
work"
She began to draw small table to
the one partly lighted window, and then,
going to the bedside, she said tenderly !:
The lawyer has come, my dear.n
A feeble, inarticulate moan was the
only reply.
"The lawyer is here,n - repeated Mrs.
Brewer, loudly, but still gently.
"Oh, ah-well. have but little time
left.''
The voice was peculiar, and it affect
ed me singularly. It seemed to come
from an automatOn.
"Let him begin.''
| took my pen and wrote as the voice
dictated. The terms were very brief
but comprehensive. It bequeathed a
handsome legacy to his daughter, Agnes
Brewer. The remainder of his property
was to be held in trust by his wife for
their only living son, Edwin Curtis
Brewer.
Mr.. Brewer expressed his satisfaction
with the document. The necessary wit
nesses were called ina dark, GRIM
looking man, whom the lady called
brother" and the servant. Her BROTH
er took the paper to the bedside for the
inyalid's signature, and brought it back
when he had added his own.
This done, was courteously allowed
to depart.
Iwent back to my office and thought
over the whole matter. Itinterested me
greatly. A vague apprehension seized
me. Ifeared it was not all right. What
underhand maneuvering 1 suspected I
hardly know. Probably my suspicious
did not 90 beyond the belief that undue
influence had been used upon Judge
Brewer.
There was something doubtful about
that beautiful mountaineering sinis-r
ter about her grim brother. The re-
membrance of those pale, cadaverous
hands almost made me shudder.
l could not keep the subject out of
my mind the rest of the day. Invent to
bed early, trying to convince myself
that was nervous. But in shutting my
eyes could not shut out those white.
awful hands, those skeleton fingers.
They were with me all night, in nv fe-
vered dreams and restless, waking mo-
ments; and they only disappeared with
the pleasant light of morning.
I" Sudden DEATH" said the clerk la
conically.
Whosep"
"Judge Brower's.''
My exclamation of surprise made him
start.
How was it?'' ,
" Well, he's been ailing long
Yes, yes!" said impatiently.
They thought he might live for
weeks yet; but last night he died, while
his wife sat at his bedside -
| went out on the piazza after break
fast, where one or two boarders were
still discussing the subject.
!" Ha! Here's King Solomon, now!n
exclaimed one of the gentlemen. "What
happened up at your house last night?''
For shame, Draper,n one said,
6 the creature has some feeling"
The figure indicated shuffied up the
steps.
A strange, uncouth being, with matted
hair and beard, and face like a tomb
stone. A crowd gathered for sport.
What's the news, sire?'' said one
He stared about vacantly, then burst
into a childish laugh. A transitory
CLEAN of intelligence came back into
The strange face.
"Man in black-he write-write-
write much.''
Catching my eye, he uttered series
of chuckling laughs, between which he
the word g swrite,'' looking
me steadily in the eye continually.
Suddenly he raised his hand-it was
white and CHASTITY looking, and recalled
he specter of my dreams-and waved
t. #
At this moment an individual made
lis way through the crowd, and laid
lis hand on King Solomon's shoulder.
..Beg your pardon, gentlemen" he
'aid, and walked the king quietly away.
"Who is that poor fellow?'' l in
luired Of a gentleman, as the knot of
dlers dispersed.
"A half-crazy creatare-a relative of
he Brewers. He studied law in the
same Office with the Judge, and it was