Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-05-07

ne footsteps nearu were those OF the
who had come to announce
that Mr.. Bramlelgh was ready TO see nae.
| followed her up stairs, and was ushered |
into a large. comfortable looking bed oom. |
\ cheerful fire burned in the CRATE. Fac
ing it was large four post bodstead. |
hung with white curtains, and AZ the head |
Of the bed Mrs Churton was sitting, with |
8 small table in from, Of her, on which |
was placed an inkstand and some paper. |
She pulled back the curtain: and | saw an |
old man propped up by pillows.
Turning to Mrs. thurton, told her that |
she need not wait.
''Ies, go-go, Hannah - cried the sick
inan, ana / faacled tina could detect an
eagerness 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, and do not
think she would have scowled quite as
much had she known that | was looking.
began by asking Mr.. Bralnleigh what
We're his wishes in regard to his will. In
low tones he tod me that he desired to
leave everything to Hannah Churton, his
housekeeper, as a reward for her long and
faithful services
1 spoke gravely to the old man, although
without much hopes Of success. but at last
got him to confess that he had no inten-
ton Of making his housekeeper his sole
heiress until she had herself broached the
| subject to him. proposed to Mr.. Bran
| leigh that he should leave his property to
some one on whom he could rely. in trust
for his daughter. My argument prevailed.
1 Io taI I ur,lI aconrl
ingly. The old man requested that bis
medical man, DR.. Ramsey, should be nom
lnatedas my co trustee, and that an annu-
lty Of fifty pounds should be paid to Han
nah Churton for life.
Ringing the bell, requested Mrs. Chur
ton to summon James Burns an , Margaret
Sims, the two servants who had witnessed
| the first will. AS soon as they were IN the
room gave Mr. Bramleigh pen, and
placing the document before him, | said
distinctly, SO all might hear:
This which have read to. you is your
final will, and you request James Buns
and Margaret Sims tC witness your execu-
ton of its''
ut isl do he solemnly said, as with
feeble fingers he wrote his name.
The two aWe-strlcken dOmeStics then
added theirs, and think their hands shook
more than the testator's. Hannah Chur-
ton 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 any one to leave the
room placed the will in a large envelope.
Fastening it with wax, | impressed it with
Mr.. Bramlelgh's monogram and crest with
seal that was on the tray Of the inkstand.
The Old man wa ched me closely, and wher
finished he sad. ''keep it" TIL it is
wanted"
On our way down stairs Dr. Ramsey tolt
me that his patient was rapidly sinking,
aAd that he doubted whether he would live
another twenty-four hours.
Taking HIM into the dinlng-room an(
. shifting the door, told him of my suspi
cions of the houseAeeper, and that l fel
afraid of leaving Mr.. Bramlelgh alone will
her all night. He agreed with me, ant
promised to send lis assistant to watch Will
me till morning when. if Mr.. Bramleigl
& was living, he would, on his own responsi
l bility, place a trustworthy nurse in hi
y charge. The housekeeper opened the doc
: to let us ont
''lt 5 all right, Mrs Churton,' | mali
clously said, as the doctor wished her goo
night. Il am quite satisfied now. Th
: will will be in my keeping. By-the-by,
e | added, looking her sharply in the face
k had you not better let your masters FRIEND
u know of the danger he Is ;nf''
: She mumbled something in reply but
c could not catch what it was. | stayed
| talking upon different subjects. to Will
: away the time until the arrival of d.
Il Ramseys servant She seemed very niue
astonlshcd and rather dlspleased when DI
5: Ramsey returned with the assistant
n In one experience OF mankind we I'm
: il is impossible to be too clever. Mr..
r Hannah Churton was very clever, but ST
committed great mistakes. The EIst wa
| in consulting a lawyer. The VIII draw
y Ler-for 50 it really had been-migl
/ have been upset on the ground Of undt
influence. | say might have been f
IS there Is nothing So hard 10 prove as undu
: influence. The other great point again
+ her was the oustlng u a CHILD in favor of
1t stranger.
u Mr.. Bramleiyh died the next morning
ten clock. Soon after had left he b
X came unconscious, in which state he r
| mal1sd Il shortly before his death, VIE
le theyt was rally. Opening his eyes vii
u al eager look, as II he missed somethin
T. be threw one arm outside ot the coverle
II and cried, "Nagdalen. Mag 81 n.
le The funeral took place On Saturday, 81
It al engagement prevented me from FOL OK
:, ING. Mrs. Chur,on Lad written Inc, r
" 4ue>ilns that would attend with the WI
y which sill remained IL my possession, wi
er the one drawn BY hcr.
- | arrived at tic house little after Q.
O'clock, and was al once taken into 4
IN dInln--rooul, where / found Dr. Ralnse
h. Mr.. kobcson "a brother pracii,ioner}. 81
L. a handsome young fellow, who WAS lntr
k- auce3 10 HE as l. etteuant Maitland, 4
~ late Mr.. Bramlei sh's son-in-iaw
as 10 door opened, and 8 young lady {
G ! tered. l. did not REQUIRE any lniroduc.l.
| TO tel me that She was the 81 inal % Il
Ae portrait, still with lis face turned II 4
y wall. HeI face was very beauii I'll, NJ
t. wisAstandlng Is e1,rcine paleness and &c