The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-05-30

toned house, with spacious entrance
hal. / was taken into the dining room
and asked to wait VIII. lie Mr.. Bramleigh
was being prepared for my visit. The
furniture in the rCem was old an very
massive. Some handsome oil paintings
graced the walls. 1 am very found OF
pictures, SO, raising the lamp, l walked
around the room slowly inspecting them.
On the right Of the fireplace I came upon
a picture with its face rurned towards the
wall. turned the picture. 1t was the
portrait in oil Of young and very
beautiful girl in dark riding habit.
Hearing, footsteps outside the door, | re-
stored the picture to the position in which
| had found it, and as l did so l saw
written at the bottom of the frame
"Magdalen Bran leigh"
The footsteps heard were those of the
housemaid, who had come TO announce
that Mr.. Bramleigh was ready to see me.
I followed her upstairs, and was ushered
into large comfortable bedroom. 4
cheerful fire burned in the CRATE. Facing
it was large four-post bedstead hung
with white curtains, and at the head OF
the bed Mrs. Churton was standing, with
a small table in front of her, on which
were placed an inkstand ana some paper.
She pulled back the curtain and | saw an
old man propped up by pillows, his face
drawn and the eye very much sunk. l
almost feared that he was too far gone to
make will; but after speaking with
him for little time | felt satisfied that
the intellect was quite clear.
Turning to Mrs. Churton told her that
she need not wait; would ring if
wanted anything.
Eyes, go-go, Hannah cried
the sick man and l fancied that could
detect an eagcrness in his voice as if he
desired her absence rather than her pres
ence. As Mrs Churton left the room l
caught sight of the reflection of her face
in the glass over the chimney piece, but l
do not think she would have scOwled
quite as much had she known that | was
looking. l began by asking Mr.. Bran
leigh what were his wishes with regard
to his will. In low tones he told me that
he desired to leave everything to Hannah
Churton, his housekeeper. as Il reward for
her long and faithful services.
spoke gravely to the old man, al
though without much hopes of success,
but at last got him to confess that he
had no intention of making his house
keeper his sole heiress until she had hel
self preached the subject to him. She
certainly must have had great power over
the old man to induce him to agree to
such scheme. l proposed to Mr.. Bran
leigh that he should leave the property to
some one on whom he could rely in trus;
for his daughter. / also volunteered
although | have an aversion to the
trouble and responsibility of a trustee
| ship, my services as trustee for this pur
pose. My arguments prevailed. He
assented, and l prepared will accord
inglv, the old man requesting that he
medical man, Dr. Ramsey, should be
nominated as my cO-trustee, and an an
nuity of ESQ should be paid to Hannah
Churton for life.
l read the will very carefully, EXP lain
ing as did so, its full effect. When
finished he muttered Quite right--quite
right; but | am afraid Hannah will no
be pleased" | cOunselled him not te
mention it to her, and my advice seemed
to satisfy him.
Ringing the bell, I requested Mrs
ChurtOn to summon James Burn anc
| Margaret Sims, the two servants who hao
witnessed the first will. AS soon as they
were in the room, gave Mr. Bramleigi
pen, and placing the document before
him, said distinctly, so that all nigh
hear This which have just read to yot
is your final will, and you request james
Burn and Margaret Sims to witness you
execution Of i'll" Itis--I do, ne solemn
" said, rs with feeble fingers he WORT
mis- name. The two awe-stricken domes
tics then added theirs, and | think thei
hands shook more than the testator's
Hannah Churton was q silent spectator o
the whole of this: but could not see he
face, as she stood in the background, on
of the light of the lamp.
Before allowing any one to leave tn
room, placed the will in a large envel
ope Fastening it with wax, impressed
it with Mr. Bramleigh's monogram an,
crest by means of a seal that was on tn
tray of the inkstand. The old man watche,
me closely, and when l had finished. h
said: keep it'll it is wanted" thu
relieving me of great embarrassment
for did not like leaving it in the powe
of Hannah Churton, lest she should tam
per with it.
On our way down stairs DR.. Ram
sew told me that his patient was rapid
sinking. and that he doubted whether h
would live another twenty-four hour:
Taking him into the dining room an
shutting the door. l told him my sus
picions of the housekeeper. and that
felt afraid of leaving Mr.. Bramleigh alon
with her sill night. He agreed with m
and promised to send his assistant I
watch till the morning. when, if NJ
Bramleigh should still be livins
I he would on his own responsibility
$ place trustworthy nurse in charge. tn
r housekeeper opened the door to ies Us OF
1t is all right, Mrs. Chur;on,"
e maliciousls said as doctor wished hs
good night. - am quite satisfied nov
The will will he safe in my keepin:
1 By-the-by, l added, looking her sharp
;. in the face, had you not better lot yos
e masters friends know Of the danger
: is ini DR.. Ramsey says he does N
4 think he will last much longer
She mumb,ed something In reply. b
4 / could not catch what it was stage
+ talking upon Indifferent subjects,