New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-19
II I

Ill
It was Christmas Eve. The grave had closed
over Nicholas Yanderhayen. All the dismal hustle
OF the funeral over and those Interested IN the
old mere hants Will were assembled IN the dining
room TO hear it read by the notary. The party was
not "A large one, consisting only OF Bernhardt, his
cousin. Cornelius DeNint, from Antwerp, u stout,
nurd. prosperous0oking parsonage of middle age,
with a loud voice ana selt-assertiye manner;
Ursula. and Jacob the butler, and lastly. Annette,
who was present al BernharGts desire he notary.
little spare, hIgh-dTied man. IN a dusty brown
wig and gold eye-glass glanced round at the party
as he unfOlded 4 sheet OF cracking parchment.
This viii was deposited With me by my late
client some SIX months ago. he began. IL =
Txcuse me- biaitre Jansseu,' BcrnhaTdt inter
rupted: am informed that there Is a later one
which my grandfather made only few hours be-
fore his death
Yes he wrote IL IN NY presence, Annette
And we witnessed it. Jacob and H. spoke old
Ursula. The master stnt for Us on purpose
Monsieur Dcwint wheeled round IN us cnar, ana
stared from one speaker to another, while the law
yer looked under his eJe-g.ass at Annette. IN
deed | was not aware OF it, he SAID.
Mons CIR NIudcrhaven Intended TO have placed
II with you the next morning. she continued. lie
said the Er-t VIII was made IN a moment OF lrrta-
ton, and Lc wished II TO be destroyed before Dern-
hardt ret ned.
As Mademolselle was so far in my uncle's con-
idence, perhaps she can tell us the contents OF tins
second WIZ suggested CornelIns, with yened
sncer WI Oh brought the cOlOrtO Bernhardls cheek
Yes Annette answered quietly. NJ Wander
haven told me that his grandson would inherit
everything except the business at Antwerp, which
was left to Yourself Monsieur lie gave a sort OF
grunt, and pulled lis beard discOntentedy.
Well, where - It'll Why IL IL not produced
we have not looked for it vet Bernhardt
piled, but 1t must be somewhere IN the banquet
room. my grandfather never LETT that apartment
alive after be made It,
Then we must find it at once. Maitre Jansen
said, rising. If it exists this is much waste
paper aud he threw the parchment on TO the
table
Ali the same. perhaps you will obge me by
flt.rJ La EtaH -
notary glanced at Bernhardt.
By all means. If my cousin wishes it, replied
the latter. i think can guess the contents. 800
The document was short and To the point. The
business at Antwerp and all the real and personal
estate-chargoable with aunuitles for the old ser
vants-were lett to Cornelius Dewlnt on condition
that he neither let. sold demolished the old
Clubhouse, while Bernhardt came In for an IrOn-
cal bequest of five hundred francs to buy paint
and canvas Annette looked distressed, and the
young man flushed hOtly
/ don't wonder my grandfather was anxious to
revoke will so unjust he commented.
It remains TO be proved whether he did revoke
it, was his cousins remark have sort Of
presenlment that this second document will not be
forthcoming
Bernhardt answered only by slight shrug as he
rose and led the way to the bauquet-rOOm. Nothing
had been disturbed since the old merchants death.
His char sul stood in its place with the
screen behind II the ashes remained on the cold
hearth. Annette's knitting Law where she had
thrown it down. Inexpresslbly fOriorn 10 all looked
IN the waning light OF the winter afternoon and IN
their various ways every member OF the party felt
the depressing Influence of the scene.
If the paper Is within these four walls we shall
soon find IT, the notary observed, unconsciOusy
lowering hIs Voice. And indeed, with the exception
of an old press. where Bernhardt had been in the
habit OF keeping his painting materials, there seemed
no place where II could be slowed away.
The Will NOT In the press, however nor
was II 10 be found elsewhere. They searched
systematically ; examining every nook ana
corner of tue old room, sounding the panellmg and
the flooring looking behind and under the furniture
and not dessting IN their quest Till everyone, eX-
Annette.
But 1t must bo here, the girl exclaimed ex-
ctedly; 1t cannot have been spirited away. NJ.
Nanderhayen told me that he had put IL III safe
place
The fire, probably was Cornelius Dewint's
suggestion. My belief Is-wth all Difference To
MademOlsee-that my uncle changed his mind at
the last moment, and destroyed IT.
/ positive he did not, she asserted. lie
scarcely alone with It a moment,
for directly tho servants left him. L re-
turned. and II was then that he told me
the contents. He was standing there by the
chimney piece Bernharit, who stood near the
window. looking out into the dusk. turned and
beckOned 10 her. Did you not tell me that he had
been burning paperP he asked in an undertone.
Yes, but It =. | thought 1t was the rough draft
Of the will! Might no not, by inadYertenee, nave
destroyed the will itself 2 She did not answer,
but her heart sank 1t seemed only too llkey
that such was the case. here was a pause; 1t was
nearly dark now. and the faces OF the little group
were lit by lamp on the chimney piece he
young stood with his back to the rest looking
down at the market-place where the was fall
ing heavily. AT length the silence was broken by
Monsieur Dewint, who left the notary's side and
| approached his cousin.
no began. IN loud, cheerful voice, rat
| Ting the loose cash III his pockets
| This mysterious document is non est inventus-
OF course feel for your disappointment still you
| can hardly expect me TO give uD the property on
hand to please you. Such generosity Is rare-on the
stsge. You are not going to dispute the wlli' pro
| No think Il an unjust one, and believe my
e a. tner haI INTENDED revoke ii. but no other