The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-04-12
FREDERICK DEANS WILL

= 4thDl16lOA OLAlS - w ILL
We'll, since you are both SO urgent
and since making will won't end my
life, III do it at once, and you shal
witness.
And the speaker, n white. haired 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 a pen and dipped il
into the ink.
Il confess | was not prepared for
such promptitude,' smiled one of the
gentlemen in reply; but we shall be
only too happy to serve you,' adding,
a little dryly: Don't you think,
however, it would be jnst as well to
get sheet of paper?'
Not abit of it, returned Mr.. Dean,
'this leaf is as good as sheet, and he
proceeded to pen, in bold characters :
'The last will and testament of Fred
erick Dean
AS you like said the other, ex-
changing an amused smile with his
companion. Only insure Nanne;te a
comfortable future, and remember
that to insure it you must cut out that
leaf, and place it where il can be found
by the proper person when needed
A pre-oScupied nod answered the
counsel, and for a little while nothing
was heard but the hurried scratch of a
pen. At last the writerthrew it down
and leaning back in his chair, read the
document aloud.
Does that suit you?' he asked, turn
ing to his visitors as he finished.
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 fare
wells, which had been deferred quite
ong enough were spoken, and within
LII hour, the two visitors were on
board a steamer bound for Europe.
For few minutes after their de-
parture, Mr.. Dean sat lost i'll thought
then, arOusing himself, he took up the
paper, and turned to the fl
nancial column. He had just finished
it, and was carefully cutting out the
article when the door opened, aud
young girl entered, her fresh face
bright with smiles.
'Ah, my dear, just in time said Mr..
Dean, fondly. Get he muciiage.'
'Oh, papa! that everlasting, musty
financial!' = laughed the girl, with a
mock horror. why don't you let me
cut you out love story, or a bit of
poetry, and paste in here? Who but
you would ever have thought of a |
scrap book of fnanciais p
you need not laugh, my DEAR
smiled the old gentleman, those .fi-
have had something to do
with my future? exclaimed his
ldopted daughter, raising her eyes
rom the book she had just drawn to.
ward her, and opening them very
widely on the old gentleman.
y es, my dear, they have helped me
make fortune, and that fortune VIII
ONE day be yours. L have made you
ny sole heir-haye willed you my
whole property. Remember that,
Mamie, and, if need be, fight for your
lights. My brother is no friend to
ou, as you well know
'Nanuette sprang to her feet, anu
brew herself on the old gentleman's
'osom.
Now papa she murmured choking
y, don't say will to me again. |
want you and nothing elso.'
In a few minutes she returned 10
Ter task, but it was with the feeling
hat the shadow of death had settled |
,ver the house. All that day, and ali !
hO hS<At5 ehAo hAioSi CitHS
o her, and at the close of the next the |
substance was there as well as the |
hadow. The strange old gentleman
lad, through strange casualty, pass
ID into the spiritual world.
The one near relative Ca wealthy |
,rother), and various remote ones
gathered TO pay the last token Of re-
pect and hear the will. But no will
vas found. Consequently Mr,George
Dean was triumphant, without the
reed of blakening his hand and con
science.
Night after night had been secretly
md fruitlessly spent in rummaging
he escretoires, ETC., of his departed
brother, with the firm determination
hat Nannette should never touch
lollar of that brothers money. The
after the funeral he sent for
Nannette to meet him in the library.
She came in, pale and weary-look-