Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-06-26

| did SO l saw written at the bottom Of
the frame 'Magdelen Bramleigh.'
The footsteps heard were those of
the houscmaid, who had come to an
nsunce that Mr.. Bramleigh was ready
to Sc me. l followed her upstairs, and
was ushered into a large comfortable
looking bedroom. A cheerful fire burn
ed in the CRATE. Facing 1t was large
four-post bedstead hung with white cur
tains, and at the head Of the bed Mrs.
Churton was standing, with a small ta-
BILE in front other, on which were placed
az inkstand and some paper. She pulled
back the curtain and l saw an old man
propped up by pillows his face drawn
and the eyes very much sunk. l al
most feared that he was too far gene to
make will, but after speaking with
him for little time felt satisfied the
intellect was quite clear.
Turning to Mrs. Churton | teld her
that she need not wait; l would ring i.
1 shsuld want anything.
Yes, go-so, Hannah" cried the
sick man; and l fancied that l could de-
tect the eagerness in his voice as if he
desired her absence rather than Ler
presence. AS Mrs. ChuriOn left the
room 1 caught sisht.of the reflection Of
her face in the glass over the chimney
piece, but do not think she would
have scowled qults so much had she
known that l was looking. began by
asking Mr. Bramleigh what were lis
wishes with regard to to his viii. In low
tone he told me that he desired 10 leave
everything to Hannah Churton, his
housekecpor, as reward for her long
and faithful services.
IspOke grayely to the old man, al
though without much hopes Of success,
but at last l got him to confess that he
had had no intention Of making his
housekeeper his sole hciress until she
had herself broached the subject ts him.
She certainly must have had great pow
er over the old man to in6uc, him TO
agree to such schoms. l proposed 10
Mr.. Bramleish that he should icaTc his
property 10 some one on whom hc could
rely in trust for his daughter. | aleo
volunteered, although | have an aver
sion to the trouble and responsibility Of
a trustceship, my services as trustee for
this purpose. Ny arguments prevailed
He as,entcd, and Ipreparcd viii &C.
cordingly, the old man requesting tsat
his medical nan. Or. Ramsey, aaould
be nominated as my co-trustee, ana that
an annuity Of ESQ should be paid TO Han
nah Churton for life.
Tread the will very care.uily,sXpla'n-
Ing as l did SO, its full effect. When
finished he muttered: Quite right
quite right; but l am afraid Hannah
will not be pleased I counsellcd him
not to mentien it to her. and my advice
seemed to satisfy him.
Ringing the bell, l requested Ms.
Churlon to su&mon James Burn and
Margaret Sims, The tive servants who
had witnessed the first will. rs soon
as they were in the room. gave fr.
Bramlelgh a pen, and placing tAe doeu-
mest before him, 1 said di-iictiy. so
that all might hear: This winch ! have
just read to you Is year final viii. and
you request James Burn and Margaret
Sims to witness your execution Of It;
1T isl do he solemnly said, rs with
feeble fingers he wrote his name. The
two awe stricken domestics then added
theirs, and | think their hands shool,
more tnan the testator's, Hannah Chur-
ton was silent spectator Of the whole
Of this; but l could not see her face, as
she stoed in the background, out OF the
light Of the lamp.
Before allowing any one 10 leave the
room, l placed the will in a large enyc-
lope. Fastening it with wax, ilapress-
ed with Mr. Bramleigh's monogram
and crest by means of a seal that was
on the tray Of the Inkstand. The old
man watched me closely. and. when
had finished, he said; Keep it'll it's
wanted;' thus relieving me of = great
embarrassment, for l did not Ike lcay.
it in the power of Hannah Churion lest
she should tanper with it.
On our way down stairs DR.. Ramsey
told me that his patient was rapidly
sinking, and that he doubled whether
he would live another twenty-foul
hours. Taking him into the dining.
room and shutting the door, l told him
my suspicious Of the housekeeper, ano
that felt afraid ofleaving Mr.. Bran
leigh alone with her all night. HC
agreed with me, and promised to SEND
his assistant to watch till the morning
when, if Mr.. Bramleigh should still be
living, he would on his own RESPONSE
billty place a trustworthy nurse in
charge. The housekeeper opened the
door to let us out.
1t Is all right, Mrs. Churton, l mali.
c;ously said as the doctor wished hci
good night. Il am quite satisfied now
The will will be safe in nay keeping
Blythe by, l added, looking he sharply
in the face, had you not better let you
masters friends know of the danger hi
is in? DR.. Ramsey says he does no
think he will last long.
She numbied something IN reply, bu
| could not catch what it was.