The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-08-14
AN UNEXPECTED WITNESS.
ny MARY GRACE HALpINE.

"And so poor Miss Lucy is disinhcri-
ted ?"
"She nigh, as wellbe. She gets only
paltry five thousand, and Gilbert Fair
fax all the rest
at is very queer that his nephew
should have the property instead of his
only daughters only child. Gilbert
Fairfax has got everything in his own
hands. He will have his own ser
wants, too, and now that he's master
of Woodlawn, We tina, have served his
uncle so many years, will have to be
turned adriit. We think too much of
Miss Lucy to stand any chance with
him."
The above conversation took place
between the gardener and housckeeper
Of Woodlawn, who had grown gray in
the service of its late owner.
In the library within, quite differ
cnt scene was being enacted, where the
granddaughter and granddaughter of the
deceased confronted each other for the
first time since the funeral.
The latter was young and exceed
ingly lovely girl, attired in deep mourn
ing, whose eyes, dark and wonderfully
expressive, were fixed upon her compan-
ion, man several years her senior, and
whose otherwise handsome face was mar
red by its insincerc and crafty expression.
alt is great grief TO me that did
not see my grandfather before he died.
The post-office stamp upon the letter
you wrote me shows that it was mailed
the day of his death"
The willy mans face flushed at all
that this implied, and there was some
haughtiness in the voice that said:
at was written rs soon as saw that
my uncle was not likely to live can
not be responsible for the mistakes and
omissions Of Others"
Then moment later, in softer tone
al don't wonder, my dear cousin,
that you feel hurt and disappointed at
the tenor Of your grandfather's will. 1t
was a great surprise to me. This beau
tiful place must seem like home to you.
You need not leave it, unless you choose
to do so. BY becoming my wife, you
can be mistress of Woodlawn for |
love you, LUCY have loved you 4 long
time :"
II would have been hard to decide
whether there was more surprise or
aversion in l.ucy's face, as she heard
this.
"Not even to win the inheritance that
is rightfully mine, can I be your wife,
Mr.. Fairfax. And | beg that you will
consider this answer rs final"
a look Of sullen anger took the place
Of that passionate, appealing gaze.
al will pay you your grandfather S
legacy, then that you may not be COM
PEELED to remain longer under the roof
Of man whom you so evidently detest!"
"By my lawyers advice, l decline to
receive it,"
The face turned toward the speaker
paled, while the eyes had startled look.
"By your lawyers advice 2" he echo
ed. "You intend to dispute the will
then On what grounds ?"
"By my lawyers advice, | refuse to
accept so small a portion of what is
rightfully mine. Also, to answer any
questions.
Gilbert Fairfax was evidently disturb
ed, not to say alarmed, though he made
strong effort to rcpress all signs Of it.
al wish that | could persuade you not
to attempt SO foolish 4 thing, cousin, ="
he said, after thoughtful pause. "Of
course, you know, il you contest the will
that there is strong probability Of your
losing your legacy"
al know that there is n chance Of it. ="
The mans hands wandered for mo-
mcnt aimlessly among the papers on the
desk before him. Then he fixed his
eyes keenly upon that sweet, ingenious
face.
"You don't, you can't think that
there has been any foul play, Lucy?"
al don't know what to think" re-
sponded the young girl, turning YEARLY
towards the door. alt is hard for me
to believe that my grandfather would
leave me so slcnderly provided for. As
TO the rest | must refer you to Mr..
Crawford, my lawyer"
When the two met again il was in a
crowded courtroom.
Not all Gilbert Fairfax's ingenuity
was able to discover what course the
prosecution would take; whether il
would dispute the genuineness Of the
will, or cndeavor to prove that the tes-
tator was not in fit state Of mind to
make it /; so he was obliged to provide
for either contingency.
The legatee, in endeavoring to prove
the validity to the will, presented a very
strong case. Two respectable witnesses
testified that they were present when the
will was signed, and that they heard il
read TO the testator, who significd his
understanding Of and assent to it. The
signature itself, though somewhat cramp'
ed and tremulous, as il would naturally
he under the circumstances, aside from
this bore n strong resemblance to the
testator's.
When the witnesses for the defense
were all in, and the last one was about
to leave the stand, the counsel for the
prosecution arose and said I:
"Now, sir, remember that you are
| under oath Do YOU declare that vol