Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-19

BramteIgh. named rne omission OF the
appointment OF an executor. This seem
ed rather to nonplus her. She asked
whether she could not be named as exc
cutrix. The more Aversion she showed
to my seeing her master the more con-
vinced felt that something was wrong;
and seeing that was not to be moved
from my purpose, she at last gave in;
proposing, however, that | should &C
company her back, as she greatly feared
it would be toe late if left till morning
A cab soon took US to No. $50 Coleman
street It wasa large, gloomy, old-fash-
Toned house, with spacious entrance
hall. was taken into the dinningg-room
and asked to wait VIII lie Mr. Bramleigh
was being prepared for my visit. The
furniture in the roem was old an very
massive. Some handsome Oil paintings
graced the walls. I am very found of
pictures, so, raising the lamp, I walked
around the room slowly inspecting them.
On the right Of the fireplace came upon
a picture with its face rurned towards toe
wall. turned the picture. 1t was the
portrait in oil Of a young and very
beautiful girl in dark riding-habit.
Hearing, footsteps outside the door, [ re-
stored the picture to the position in which
I had found it, and as I did so I saw
written at the bottom of the frame
"Magdalen Bramleigh.'
The footsteps heard were those Of the
housemaid, who had come to announce
that Mr.. Bramleigh was ready to see me.
followed her upstairs, and was ushered
into a large comfortable bedroom. A
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. I
almost feared that he was too far gone to
make will; but after speaking with
him for little time I felt satisfied that
the intellect was quite clear.
! Turning to Mrs. Churton I told her that
she need not wait; would ring if
wanted anything.
Eyes, go-go, Hannah cried
the sick man; and fancied that could
detect an eagerness in his voice as if he
desired her absence rather than her pres
cnce AS Mrs. Churton left the room
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. I 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 reward for
her long and faithful services
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 he1
self broachcd the subject to him. She
certainly must have had great power ovel
the old man to induce him to agree tt
such a scheme. I proposed to Mr.. Bran
leigh that he should leave the property tt
some one on whom he could rely in trust
for his daughter. l also volunteered
although [ have an aversion to thu
trouble and responsibility of a trustee
ship, my services as trustee for this pur
pose My arguments prevailed. HI
assented, and I prepared will accord
ingly, the old man requesting that he
medical man, DR.. Ramsey, should b.
nominated as my co-trustee, and an an
nuity OF $50 should be paid to HANNAH
Churton for life.
I read the Will very carefully, explain
ing as I did SO, its full effect. When
finished he muttered; quite right--quit
right; but am afraid Hannah will no
be pleased" [ counseled him not t,
1 mention it to her, and my advice seemed
to satisfy him.
Ringing the bell, I requested Mrs
ChurtOn to summon James Burn an(
Margaret Sims, the two servants who hat
witnessed the first will. AS soon as the,
were in the room, | gave Mr.. Bramleigl
a pen, and placing the document befor
him, said distinctly, so that all nigh
, hear: This which I have just read to yo'
is your final will, and you request Jane
Burn and Margaret Sims to witness you
execution Of it?n s.Itis--I do, he solemn
!, ly said, as with feeble fingers he wort
mis- name. The two awe-strickea domes
!; tics then added theirs, and | think thci
hands shook more than the testator's
Hannah Churton was silent spectator O
the whole of this; but could not see he
face, as she stood in the background, GU
Of the light Of the lamp.
Before allowing any one to leave tn
, room, placed the will in a large enye]
, ope. Fastening it with wax, impresse
) 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 | had finished, h
: said: 'sKeep it-tilli it is wanted;;' thu
relieving me Of great embarrassment
for [ did not like leaving it in the powe
of Hannah Churton, lest she should tan
per with it.
On our way down stairs Dr.. Ran
sey told me that his patient was rapid
sinking, and that he doubted whether h
, would live another twenty-four hours
Taking him into the dining-room an
shutting the door, told him my su:
, picions of the housekeeper, and that
felt afraid of leaving Mr.. Bramleigh a!on
| with her all night. He agreed with M
t and promised to send his assistant
+ watch till the morning, when, if Nj
, Bramleigh should still be Twin!
he would on his own responsibility