The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-06-08

was old and very massive. Some
handsome oil paintings graced the
walls. am very fond of pictures, so,
raising the lamp, walked around the
room slowly inspecting them. On the
right of the fireplace | came upon a
picture with its face turned toward the
wall. 1 turned the picture. 1t was
the portrait in oil of young and very
beautiful girl in a dark riding habit.
Hearing footsteps outside the door, /
restored the picture to the position in
which l had found it, and as did so |
saw writing at the bottom of the frame:
"Magdalen Bramleigh "
The footsteps | heard were those of
the housemaid, who had come to an
nounce that Mr.. Bramleigh was ready
to see me. | followed her upstairs,
and was ushered into a large, COM
fortable-looking bedroom. A cheerful
fire burned in the CRATE. Facing it was
a large four-post bedstead hung with
white curtains, and at the head of
the bed Mrs. Churton was stand
ing, with small table in front of
her, on which were placed an ink
stand and some paper. She pulled
back the curtain and | saw an old man
propped up by pillows, his face drawn
and his eyes very much sunk. | al
most feared that hewas too far gone to
make a will; but after speaking with
him for little time | felt satisfied that
the intellect was quite clear.
Turning to Mrs. Churton | told her
that she need not wait; | would ring if
| wanted anything,
Yes, go-go, Hannah cried the
sick, man and | fancied that could de-
tect an cagerness in his voice as if he
desired her absence rather than her
presence. As Mrs. Churton left the
room | caught sight of the reflection of
her face in the glass over the chimney
piece, but | do not think she would
have scOwled quite as much had she
known that | was looking. | began by
asking Mr.. Bramleigh what were his
wishes in 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.
| spoke gravely to the old man, al
though without much hope 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
herself preached the subject to him.
She certainly must have had great
power over the old man to induce him
to agree to such a scheme. proposed
to MIR. Bramleigh that he should leave
his property to some one on whom he
could rely, in trust for his daughter.
also volunteered, although | have an
aversion to the trouble and RESPONSE
bility of trusteeship, my services as
trustee for this purpose. My argu-
ments prevailed. He assented, and |
prepared a will accordingly, the old
man requesting that his medical man,
DR.. Ramsey, should be nominated as
my co-trustee, and that an annuity of
ESQ should be paid to Hannah Chur-
ton for life.
Tread the will to him very carefully,
explaining, as | did so, its full effect.
When l had finished he muttered:
"Quite right-quite right; but l am
afraid Hannah will not be pleased" |
cOunSeled him not to mention it to her;
and my advice seemed to satisfy him.
Ringing the bell, l requested Mrs.
Churton to summon James Burn and
Margaret Sims, the two servants who
had witnessed the first will. As soon
as they were in the room, | gave Mr..
Bramleigh apen, and, placing the doc
ument before him, said distinctly, so
all might hear: This which have
just read to you is your final will, and
you request James Burn and Margaret
Sims to witness your execution of it?"
cit isl do" he solemnly said, as
with feeble fingers he wrote his name
The two awe-stricken domestics then
added theirs, and | think their hands
shook more than the testator's Han
nah Churton was silent spectator of
the whole of this; but could not see
her face, as she stood in the back
ground, out of the light of the lamp.
Before allowing anyone to leave the
room, placed the will in large en-
velOpe. Fastening it with wax, | i'm
pressed it with Mr.. Bramleigh's mono
gram and crest by means of 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 is wanted; thus relieving me of
great embarrassment, for did not like
leaving it in the power of Hannah
Churton, lest she should tamper with
it.
On our way downstairs DR.. Ramsey
told me that his patient was rapidly
sinking, and that he doubted whether
he would live another twenty-four
hours.
Taking him into the dining-room and
shutting the door, told him my sus-
picions of the housekeeper, and that l
felt afraid of leaving Mr.. Bramleigh
alone with her all night. He agreed
with me, and promised to send his as
sistant to watch till the morning, when,
if Mr.. Bramleigh should still be living,
he would on his own responsibility
place trustworthy nurse in charge.
The housekeeper opened the door to let
us out.
"Itis all right, Mrs. Churton,' l ma
liciously said as the doctor wished her
goodnight. 81 am quite satisfied now.
The will will be safe in my keeping.
By the by" l added, looking her sharp
ly in the face, 4" had you not better let
your masters friends know of the dan
ger he is IMP DR.. Ramsey says he does
not think he will last much longer.n
Che ,,,It,, IlaI cnr,ntb;nor Ia