Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-06-08


DR.. Ramsey returned with his assistant.
He explained to hor that although there
was no chance Of saving her patients life,
yet his last moments might De alloviated
by ski'lful attendance and therefore, as
he himself could not stay all night, he had .
brought his assistant for that purpose.
In ones experience of mankind wo find |.
that it possible to be sometimes too
clever. Mrs. Hannah Churton was very
clever, but she committed two great mis-
takes. The first was in consulting u
lawyer. The will drawn by her lawyer
for so it really had been might have
been upset on the ground OF undue inhu-
ence. say "might have been," for
there is nothing SO hard to prove MS undue
influence. The great point against her
was the oustng OF child in favor of
stranger.
Mistake No. > was as follows; The
Doctor had gone upstairs TO install his
assistant, leaving me standing in the hall
with the housekeeper, Fumbling in her
pocket, she pulled out u roll of bank
notes (; thrustng these into my hands, she
told mo that it was her masters wish that
should take them for my trouble.
unrolled them, and found two for ten and
one for five pounds. Twenty-Five pounds
A long legal experience has taught mo
that in all dealings with doubtful people
ones safety lies in having good witness.
| waited till the Doctor came down stairs,
occupying myself by entering the num-
bers Of the notes in my pocketbook.
"l.ook, Doctor" cried, as he appear
ed, showing him tho notes. "Mr. Bran
leigh is liberal poymaster." Turning
to Mrs. Churton, / said "This will
amply repay me-"
Retaining tho note for e5, returned
her the other two. Sho took them from
me without saying word, but a bhck
look came over her face. | think sho be
gan 10 suspect mo. got homo very late
that night The capon was moro than
done, and so was tho oyster sauce !
Mr.. Bramlegh died the next morning
Mt 10 o'clock. Soon after / had left he
became unconscious, in which state he
remained till shortly before his death,
when there was n rally. Opening his
oyes with an eager look, rs il he missed
something, he throw ono arm outside The
coveriet, and crying, MagdOlon Mag
dalen !" he obeyed tho summons which
bade him thole his assize- yea, In that
dread court where Not proven is un.
known. Guilty or not guilty9 Who
shall say ?
The funeral took place on the Saturday,
but an engagement prevented mo from
following. Mrs. Churton had written,
requesting that would attond with the
will, which still remained in my posses
sion with the one drawn by hor.
! arrived at the house little after
O'Clock, and was Mt once taken into TIE
dining room, whore found DR.. Ramsey,
Mr.. Robson (a brother practitoner), and
handsome young fellow, who was in.
troduced TO mo as Lieutenant Maitland,
the late Mr. Brameigh's son in law.
The door opened, aad young Indy en-
tered, 1t did not require any introduo-
ton to toll me that she was tho original
OF the portrait, still with its front turned
toward the wall. Her fsco was very
beautiful, notwithstanding its extreme
paleness and toar-swollen eyelids. Sho
seated herself by the fire, her husband
standing behind her leaning his arms on
the back Of the chair.
Mrs. ChuIton had closely followed
Mngdalcn Maitland into the room. Sho
was dressed in doop mourning and worea
Llack Grape cap, thus Offering marked
contrast to Mrs. Maitland, who was wear.
ing green dress rather travol-soiled.
Apparently she had no time to prepare
her mourning.
DR.. Ramsey politely pulled forward
chair for the housekeeper. Taking II
from him with cold THANK you," sho
placed IL at the end Of the table, directly
facing me. Very stern and lorbidding
she looked in her black garments her
features immoyablo, hor hands resting on
her knees.
| was about to unseal the envelope con-
tanning the will, when Lieutenant Matt.
land INTERRUPTED mo.
zone moment, ifyou please" he said,
placing his hand on my arm. "Beiore
this will is read, | wish to say few words.
Mrs. Churton tells me that Mr.. Bran
leigh has left her everything uncondition-
ally. | simply wish to express my firm
belief that Mr.. Bramleigh could only have
bsen induced TO make such a will by un-
fair and foul means. Although | have
been the cause Of an estrangement be-
tween father and daughter, ] cannot
think that he could 50 far forget his love
for her rs to strip her Of everything. 1t
is my intention, for her sake, to contest
this will; and it is with this view that
have requested my old friend, Mr.. Robe
son, TO be present TO- day as my legal
advisor"
His frank, manly face was flushed with
honest excitement a., leaning over the
back of his vite's chair, he took her face
between his hands ald kissed it. "For
your sake-not mine, Dearest" | beard
him whisper.
| read the will slowly and distinctly.
II was very short. Save ono annuity of
$50 to Hannah Churton for life, every.
thing was left to DR.. Ramsey and my
soft in trust for Maglalen Maitland, % be
settled on her as we in our discretion
should think fl.
Astonshment is mild word to express
the feelings OF those present, nor viii |