Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-03-12

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I've given all to the boy
Yes 2
We'll, feel better, John ; l thought
perhaps you would be angry, aud l
wanted you to know from me--it's a
patural fatherv feeling, eh, John
And the two Wills are side by side i'll
my secretary.
Very good
Disappointment was torturing John
Allen too much for him to say more
than word or two. Then the sick man
lay quiet after few moments he said
family
II think | can Sleep
John Allen re-arranged the pillow,
ing gave notice that the sick man slept.
Tempted by all that was base in his
sordid nature, the watcher rose and
went to the secretary with little search
ing he found the two wills.
u must burn the last he said to
himself, in guilty whisper. Which
is the last p There was no clew. -
will break the SEAL" he thought. But
no, he could not do that he could not
get his brothers ring without discovery.
It's shame If had ever thought
of this l should have marked it and it
was not sealed it was unsealed last
April" He studied both seals eagerly;
one was stamped with his brothers
ring, the other bore the date December,
1878. "Ah that is the last, he cried,
inaudibly, and fastened with it to the
fire.
Before the document had crumbled
to ashes he heard Armies voice without
and step heavier ascending the stairs
with her. He fastened to the sick mans
side, and was in feigned sleep when
Annie cautiously opened the door.
Papa--uncle, she said, breathless-
ly, "here is Cousin Horace Isn't it
funny he knew me, for when he saw me
last was only school girl ?"
John Allen grew pale, very pale if
only his half-brother would not tell
Horace of the new will He rose and
welcomed the young man.
"You have come, Horace, only in
time to see the last Of your poor father,
l fear
90 uncle Tel! me you do not think
my wickedness fastened this !"
The young mans voice was husky
with sobs.
"No, 1 trust not," answered John,
with cruel slowness. " William, broth
er, don't be startled. but here is some
one come to see you"
The sick man stirred IN his sleep, and
murmured,-
Horace !"
Yes, father" And the lad fell upon
his fathers breast.
"Now I can die happy-if you'll
promise to be good boy"
Indeed I will, father And in proof,
see here" He drew from his wallet, as
he spoke, roll of bank notes. cts
only small part of what 1 owe, l
know, but it will prove have turned
over new leaf, eh, father?" He
counted out three thousand dollars as
he spoke.
Good-by-I am happy-God bless
you'll am dying. Brother"
A smile of perfect contentment how
cred over the dying mans face and
settled there ; he never spoke again:
Every ceremony over, John Allen,
who had rather delayed the opening and
reading of the will, sent for the execu.
tor, saying all was ready, and they
were soon gathered in the library.
John, SO conscious of his own good
fortune that no doubts harassed him,
was especially kind to the heir he had
so satisfactorily defrauded of his in
heritance.
Well, my friends" said the attor-
ney, "our dear, deceased friend YVES a
man of a somewhat erratic turn of mind,
and though some of you may feel that
in the disposition he has made of his
belongings he has not dealt quite fair
ly with you, your love for him will
make his peace"
Certainly Certainly y said John.
He felt he ought to speak like that,
to appear Indifferent. Horace said
nothing, and the attorney continued, -
And now we will proceed"
He examined the seal and then broke
it. The silence was appalling. Aunts,
uncles, cousins, people that during the
dead mans life had kept away from him,
sat ready to substantiate their kinship,
as thousands were left between those
relations whose tears fell hot and heavy
for the "dear departed"
hereby will and bequeath, read
the lawyer, " five hundred dollars to
every female cousin, daughters of m y
late Uncle William, whose name bear.
One thousand dollars to my half-broth-
er. John Allen, who may feel at liberty,
III spite OF my principles, to donate it
to any religious or reformatory
society he deems worthy and the
remainder without reserve, consisting
of forty-fve thousand dollars in bank
stock, my house in town, together with
all the real estate situated in the town
Of W. to my son, Horace Allen"
The lawyer ceased reading, and there
was a general mumur of dissatisfac-
ton.
I'm sure it was very ungrateful to
you, john" said one.
Yes, after all you did for him !"
said another.
Wasn't it good of uncle, papa ?"
said Annie.
Good. child 4! 1t has made you q
beggar! !"
"Uncle, I shall not think-I--in-
deed" began Horace.