The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-02-27
FREDERICK DEANS WILL.

you shall witness"
And the speaker, white-halred old
gentleman, laughed pleasantly, and
drew toward him an old book lying on
the table at his side. Selecting one of
the two or three blank leaves at the
back, he took up pen, and dipped 1t
into the ink.
:" / confess | was not prepared for such
promptitude, smiled one the gentle
men in reply; but we shall be only
too happy to serve you," adding little
dryly; Don't you think, however, 1t
would be just as well to get a sheet of
paper ?"
mot bit of it, returned Mr. Dean,
q this leaf Is as good as n sheet, f" and he
proceeded to pen, in bold characters
The last will and testament of Fred
ericx Dean"
" AS you like" said the other ex-
changing an amused smile with his
companion. "Only insure Nannette
comfortable future, and remember that
to insure it you must cut out that leaf,
and place 1t where it can be found by
the proper person when needed"
A pre-occupied nod answered the
counsel, and for little while nothing
was heard but the hurried scratch of the
pen. AZ last the writer threw in down,
and leaning back in his chair, read the
document aloud.
" Does that suit your" he asked
turning to his visitors as he fin
ished.
An eager affirmative answered
him.
"Then remember" he said, with sud-
den earnest gravity, to see justice
done if my Nannette should meet with
trouble. And now we will sign"
The signing was done, the book closed
and pushed aside till the farewells,
which had been deferred quite long
enough were spoken, and within an
hour, the two visitors were ON board a
steamer bound for Europe.
For few minutes after their depar-
ture, Mr.. Dean sat lost in thought, then,
arousing himself, he took up the morn
ing paper, and turned to the financial
column. He had just finished it, and
was carefully cutting out the article
when the door opened, and young girl
entered, her fresh face bright with
smiles.
All, my dear, just in time" said
Mr.. Dean, fondly. "Get the muci-
lage."
"0h, papa that everlasting, musty
financial !" laughed the girl, with
mock horror. "Why, don't you let me
cut you out love story, or bit of poet
ry, and paste in here? Who but you
would ever have thought of scrap-book
of financialsY''
" You need not laugh, my dear"
smiled the old gentleman" those finan-
Gals have had something to do with
your future.'
"With my futurep" exclaimed his
adopted daughter, raising her eyes from
the book she had just drawn towards
her, and opening them very widely on
the old gentleman.
" Yes, my dear, they have helped me
TO make fortune, and that fortune will
some day be yours. / have made you my
sole heir-have willed you my whole
property. Remember that, Mamie, and
If need be, fight for your rights. My
brother is no friend to you, as you well
know"
Nannette sprang to her feet, and
threw herself on the gentleman's
bosom.
Now, papa" she murmured, ehok-
ingly, don't say will' to me again. I
want you and nothing else.n
In few minutes she returned to her
task, but 1t was with the feeling that the
shadow of death had settled over the
house. All that day, and all the next,
this miserable feeling clung to her, and
at the close of the next the substance
was there as well as the shadow. The
hale old gentleman had, through a
strange casualty passed into the spiritual
world.
The one near relative "a wealthy
brother, and various remote ones gath
cred to pay the last token of respect and
hear the will. But no will was found.
Consequently Mr.. Geore Dean was tri-
umphant, without the need of blacken-
ing his hands and conscience.
Night after night had been secretly
and fruitlessiy spent in rummaging the
escretoires, etc., of his departed brother,
with the firm determination that Nan.
nafta ahould navar fo,,ot, N do1lo. =. a A