The National tribune., 1881-12-10

twenty?"
Time passed on, and I delayed as long as l
could the preparation of the unnatural and vim
dictive deed by which the old man proposed to
disinherit his son. Meanwhile, had again heard
from Tom, this time telling me that he was act
ualIy married, and that he intended, after some
weeks stay in France, to proceed to London, In
the hope of obtaining employment was half
afraid to mention the fact to the Squire as l
Judged it would at once bring matters to an issue,
and that he would order the will to be immedi-
ately completed and signed. Still a few weeks
more were allowed to elapse during which time
I, as much as possible, avoided meeting the
Squire. But one day he called upon me, and
asked if | had any further letters from his son.
/ told him that l had and that Tom was married.
He was in a state of great excitement and wrath;
and it was with some difficulty that [ could sub
! due his rage enough to enable us to converse in
ordinary business terms of the will, which he
now told me to prepare without another days
delay. l made more than one attempt to inter-
cede for the young man thus to be dsinherited;
but this only served to exasperate him still more;
and he intimated that if / was not prepared to
carry out his wishes, he would be necessitated to
place his affairs in the hands of another agent.
Merely as a matter of business, my connection
with the Squire was of small moment to me; but
we had been old friends, and l had long managed
all the affairs Of the Athelings Of Atheling, and
did not relish any suggestion of another taking
my place. Besides, I considered that my refusal
to draw up the will would not in any way pre-
vent the Squire from carrying out his design
while if the matter were placed in other hands,
I should lose the opportunity of still doing some
thing, as I hoped, for the advantage of his ban
ished and disinherited son. The obnoxious doc
ument, therefore, was prepared, the Squire him.
self writing the draft of the fatal clause that dis
inherited his son, and day was fixed for me to
call at the Hall to have it signed.
On the day named I found my client waiting
for me in the library. Everything was in readi-
ness; and the will, which was very short, was
quickly read through. The pen was in his hand,
and l was about to summon two of the servants
as witnesses when he stopped me. "Does not
marriage invalidate will ?" he asked as he
turned to me inquiringly.
1t does," 1 replied, if signed before the cere-
mony."
"Humph!" he muttered as if considering some
point. He paused for moment, and then added,
as if he had found solution of his difficulty
Procrastination is always dangerous I will
sign this now and if another should be required,
why, you won't object. 1t will be so much more
grst to your mill"
Certainly" replied, taking his joke in good
humor; "and 1 am glad to hear Won talk of
making anesAa Hil, l.. this is 4 mos. unjust
sou az rcrposly aua unnecessarily wander /
r. --
have 40 iutant5on Of uaz.a. auy ii la7a ton lr .
my will. l was alluding to the probability of |
my marriage with Madame Favre'
"Indeed!" exclaimed, at loss for words with
which to express my surprise
eyes," he continued; II have written to her
on that subject, and am now awaiting her answer
No reason, you know, Woollaston," he added with
sly humor, repeating my words, that the heart
should not be as green at seventy as at twenty"
could only laugh. A great disparity in age
between husband and wife, ON whichever side it
may be- is generally Objectionable; but beyond
this l could see no valid reason against the mar
rage. The lady's ample fortune would obviate
the necessity of large jointure to cumber the
estate. Again, was in hopes that if the Squire
once saw the golden bait that had tempted him,
might become softened, and eventually under his
wifes undoubtedly amiable influence, be entirely
removed.
/ could not, however, find words in which to
offer the money-loving old suitor any congratu-
lations upon the step whith he proposed to take
and somehow could not help wishing that the
lady would have the good sense to refuse the
offered marriage. AS it was was fain to hide
my confusion and dislike of the proceeding by
ringing the bell, and calling in a couple Of ser
wants to witness the signing of the deed. A few
minutes served to complete the work; and took
an early opportunity of bidding goodbye to the
Squire, making a pretence of urgent business
elsewhere the excuse for not staying to dine with
him, as he seemed more than usually anxious
should do.
AS 1 returned to my Office, I could not help
rejecting upon the sudden and unexpected de-
termination of the Squire to marry this lady, so
much his junior in years, and unlike him in
other respects; and in truth I scarcely knew
whether to attribute his resolve more to feeling
of revenge against his son, or simply to desire
to possess the lady's large and unencumbered
fortune. / felt inclined to write to Tom at once
and tell him of what was taking place; but on
second thought decided that it would be better
to delay doing so till l knew the issue of the
Squire's proposal to the beautiful widow.
ollo 1o,~