Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-02-04
WHEN ALL is DONE,
Frederick Deans Will.

Well, since you are both so urgent,
and since making will won't end my
life, I'll do it at once, and you shall
Witness
And the speaker, white haired old
gentleman, laughed pleasantly, and
drew toward him an old book. lying on
the table at his side. Selecting one OF
the two or three leaves at the back
he took up pen and dipped it into the
ink.
L confess was not prepared for such
promptitude,' smiled one of the gentle
men in reply; but we shall only be too
happy TO serve you,' adding, a little
dryly: Don't you think, however, it
would be Just as we'll to get a sheet OF
paper?
Not bit of it, returned Mr.. Dean !;
this leafs as good as a Sheet and
proceeded to pen in bold characters :
The last will & testament of Frederick
Dean
AS you like, said the other, exchang-
ing an amused smile with his compan-
ion. Only issue Nannette a comfort
able future, and remember that to issue
it you must cut out a leaf, and place it
where it can be found by the proper
person when needed
A pre-occupied nod answered the
counsel, and for a little while nothing
was heard but hurried scratch of the
pen. AT last the writer threw it down,
and leaning back in his chair, read the
document aloud.
Does that suit yeu? he asked, turn
ing to:his visitors as he finished.
An eager Affirmative answered him.
Then remember he said, with GER
tain earnest gravity, TO see justice done
If my Nannette should meet with troub-
lie. And now we will slgn.'
EThe signing was done, the book clos
ed and pushed aside till the farewslls,
which had been deferred quite long
enough, were spoken, and within an
hour the two visitors were Oh board a
steamer bound for Europe.
For a minute after their departure
Mr.. Dean sat lost in thought, then
arousing himself he took up the morn
ing paper, and turned to the financial
column. He just finished it, aud was
carefully cutting out the article when
the door opened, and Nannette entered,
her fresh face bright with smiles.
'Ah, my dear just in time said Mr..
Dean fondly. Get the mucilage.'
oh, papa! that everlasting musty
financials I! laughed the girl, with a
mock horror. why don't you let me
cut you out love story, bit Of poetry
and paste in here? Who but you would
ever have thought OF scrap book of f.
nancials
You need not laugh, my DEAR smi-
led the old gentle man, those fnancials
have something to do with ysur future.
With my future p exclaimed his
adopted daughter, raising her eyes from
the book she had just drawn toward
her, and opening them very widely on
the old gentleman.
Yes, my dear; they have helped me
make fortune. and that fortune will
some day be yours, 1 have made you
my sole heir-having wllled you all my
property. Remember that, Mamie,
and if need be fight for your rights
NV brotheris no friend of yours, as you
well know
Nannette sprang to her feet and
threw herself on the old gentlenan'i
bosom.
Now, papa she murmured, chok'
ingly, don't say will to me again.
want you and nothing else.'
In few minutes she returned to her
task, bat 1t was with the feeling that
the shadow of death had settled over
the house. All that day, and all the
next, this miserable feeling cluag to her,
and at the close of the next the SUBJ
stance as well as the shadow wa;
there. The hale old gentleman had
through a strage casualty, passed into
the spiritual world.
The one near relative, a wealthy bro
ther, and various remote ones gathered
to pay the last tribute of respect, ane
hear the will. But no will was found
Consequently Mr.. George Dean was
triumphant, without the need Of black
ening his hands and conscience.
Night after night bad been spent se
creilJ and fruitlessly in rumaging th'
secretaries, etc., of bis departed brother
with the firm determination that Nan
nette should never touch dollar Of tha
brothers. money. The morning ate
the funeral he sent for Nannette to meet
him in the library.
She came in, pale and weary-looking
little surprise in her soft eyes. Ml
Dean was prompt. Majesticall'
waving her to seat, he cleared b
throat and said:
'Ofcourse you know, Nannetts, tbs