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

was very clever, but she committed two
great mistakes. The first was IN con-
sultlng lawyer. The will drawn by
her-for so it really had been-might
have been upset on the ground of undue
influence. l say might have been,
for there is nothing so hard to prove as
undue influence. The great point
against ner was the ousting Of a child
in favor ofa stranger.
Mistake number two was as follows;
The doctor had gone up stairs tolnstall
his assistant leaving me standing in the
hall with the housekeeper. Fumbling
in her pocket she pulled out roll of
bank notes thrusting these into my
hands, she told me that it was her mas
ter's wish that should take them for
my trouble. l unrelled them, and
found two for ten, and one for five
pounds. Twenty-Five pounds!
y long legal experience has taught
ne 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 numbers of the nstes in
my pockct-book.
Look, DOCTOR l cried as he appear
cd. showing him the notes. Mr..
lIramlegh is liberal paymaster.-
Turning to Mrs. Churton, 1 said: This
will amply repay me-
Retaining the note for five pounds,
returned her the other two. She
took them from me without saying a
word. but black look came over her
face. think she began TO suspect me.
got home very late that night. The
capon was more thaa done, and so was
the oyster sauce
AIr. Bramleigh died the next morn
rar at ten O'Clock. Soon after I had
left he became unconscious, in which
state he remained till shortly before his
death. when there was rally. Ope.
ming his eyes with an eager look, as if
he missed something, he threw one
arm outside the coverlet, and crying,
REaedalcn. Magdalen:' he obeyed the
summons which babe him thole his
assize-yea in that dread court where
'Not proven is unknown. Guilty or
not guilty? Who shall say
The funeral took place on the satur-
day. but an engagement prevented me
from following. Ms. Churton bad
written. requesting that would attend
with the will. which still remained IN
mv possession with the one drawn by
her.
arrived at the house little after
one o'clock and was at once taken into
the d.ning-room, where found DR..
Ramsey, Nr. Robson "a brother prac-
nlioncr), and a handsome young fellow,
who was introduced to me as Lieutenant
Maitland the late Mr. Bramlcigh's SON.
m-law.
The door opened, and young lady
entered. Itdid not require any intro
duciion to tell mc that she was the
original eftbe portrait, still with Its
front turned towards the wall. Her
lace was very beautiful, Notwithstanding
its extreme palcness and the tear
swollen cyelids. She seatc herself by
The fire. her husband standing behind
her leaning his arm on the back OF the
chair.
Mrs. Churton had closely followed
Maedalen Maitland into the room. She
was dressed in deep mourning and
wore a black cap. thus offering marked
contrast TO Mrs. Maitland, who was
wearing gray dress rather travel
so.led Apparently she had no time TO
prepare her mourning.
DR.. Ramsey politely pulled forwards a
chair for the housekceper. Taking 1t
from hin with cold Thank you she
placed it at the end Of the tabl e, direct
/ ly facing me. Very stern and for
bidding she looked in her black gar
Acnis-hor features immoyable, her
hands resting on her knees.
| was about to unseal the envelope
containing the will, when Lieutenant
Moitland interrupted me.
One moment, if you please he said
placing his hand on nv arm. Before
this will is read, l wish to say few
words. Mrs. Churtoa tells me that Mr..
Bramleieh has left her everything un-
condinonaily. I simply wish to eX-
press my firm belief that Mr.. Bram-
leigh could only have been induced to
make such a will by unfair and foul
means. Although L have been the
cause of an arrangement between
father and daughter, l cannot think
that he could 50 far forget his love for
her as to strip her Of everything. 1t is
nv intention, for her sake, to contest
this will and it is with this view that
| have requested my old friend, Mr..
Robson, to be present to-day as my
legal adviser
His frank, manly face was flushed
with honest excitement as, leaning
over the back Of his wife's chair, he
took her face between his hands and
kisscdit. For your sake-not mine
dearest heard him whisper.
| read the will slowly and distinctly.
! 1t was very short. Save the annuity OF
ESQ to Hannah Churton for life. every
thing was left to DR.. Ramsey and my