The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1878-06-11

at 10 o'clock. Soon after ! had left he
became unconscious, in which state he
remained till shortly before his death,
when there was rally. Opening his
eyes with an eager look, as il he missed
something, he threw one ARIA outside the
coverlet, and crying " Magdalen, Mag
dalenw he obeyed the summons which
babe him thole his assize-yea, in that
dread court where "no. proven" is I'M
known. Guilty or not guilty? Who
shall say?
The funeral took place on the Satur-
day, but an engagement prevented me
from following. Mrs. Churton had
written, requesting that would attend
with the will, which still remained in my
possession, with the one drawn by her.
arrived at the house little afterI
o'clock, and was at once taken into the
dining room, where found DIR. Ramsey,
Mr.. Robson Ia brother practitioner,
and handsome young fellow, who was
introduced to me as Lieut.. Maitland, the
late Mr.. Bramleigh's son-in~law.
The door opened, and a young lady
entered. 1t did not require any intro
duetion to tell me that she was the origi-
.:a.! naf the rcrt-ait, still with it, front
turned toward the wall. Her face was
very beautiful, notwithstanding its ex-
IRENE paleness and the tear-swollen eye
lids. She seated herself by the fire, her
husband standing behind her, leaning
his arm on the back of the chair.
Mrs. Churton had closely followed
Magdalen Maitland into the room. She
was dressed in deep mourning and wore
black Grape cap, thus Offering marked
contrast to Mrs. Maitland. who was
wearing a gray dress rather travel-soiled.
Apparently she had no time to prepare
her mourning.
DR.. Ramsey politely pulled forward a
chair for the housekeeper. Taking it
from him with cold "T'hank you" she
placed it at the end of the table, direct
| ly facing me. Very stern and forbidding
she looked in her black garments-her
| features immoyable, her hands resting on
! her knees.
l was about to unseal the envelope
containing the will, when Lieut.. Matt
land interrupted me.
zone moment, il you please" he said,
placing his hand on my arm. Before
this will is read, / wish to say few
words. Mrs. Churton tells me that Mr.
Bramleigh has left her everything I'M
conditionally. | simply wish to express
my firm belief that Mr.. Bramleieh could
only nave been induced to make such Il
will by unfair and foul means. Although
have been the cause of an estrange-
ment between father and daughter, can
not think that he could so far forget his
love for her as to strip her of everything.
1t is my intention, for her sake, to con-
test this will; and it is with this view
that have requested my old friend, Mr..
Robson, to be present to-day as my legal
adviaer."
His frank, manly face was flushed
with honest excitement as, leaning over
his wife's chair, he took her face be-
tween his hands and kissed it. "For
your sake-not for mine, dearest" |
heard him whisper.
] read the will slowly and distinctly.
It was very short. Save one annuity Of
ESQ to Hannah Churton for life, every
thing was left to Dr. Ramsey and myself
in trust Tor MagdaIen Maitland, to be
settled on her as we in our discretion
should think fit.
AstOnishment is mild word to ex-
press the feelings of those present, nor
will attempt to do so. Ny tale lies
with Hannah Churton. Starting to her
feet, she pushed the chair from her, and
stretching out one arm, gave utterance
to fierce torrent Of invective. The veil
was lifted, and the native coarseness of
the wOman's nature stood revealed. 1t
was as | had feared. Unmindful of the
bounty of her but too generous master,
she heaped obloquy on his memory, and
fearlessly asserted that she had wasted
the best years of her life in his service!
Magdalen Maitland covered her ears
with her hands, to shut out the hard
words. Her husband led her toward the
door; but Hannah Churton intercepted
them. Tearing her cap from her head,
she threw it on the ground before the
frightened girl.
Trample on i'll" she cried, in fren-
lied voice. I" Your fathers victim had
no right to wear It'll" l must admit that
she locked grandly tragic as she de
claimed these fiery words. I felt half
sorry for the poor, defeated creature.
Nine years have passed since then,
and Mrs. Maitland declares that there
are "silver threads among the gold.
The cares Of a young family have some
what marred her good looks, but they
will live again in my little granddaughter
Magdalen, who promises to rival her
mother in beauty Chambers Journal.