The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-08-19

lY, 1OlloWed by the graY-headed gentle
man whom had noticed on the journe
to Paris, and by Father Benweli.
The Jesuit's vigilant eyes discovers
us instantly, in our place near the fire
side. thought l saw suspicion n
we'll as surprise in his face. But h
recovered himself so rapidly that
could not feel sure. lie bowed b
Stella. She made no return; she look
ed as if she had not even seen him.
One of the doctors was an English
man. lie said to Father Benwell
"Whatever your business is to be witt
Mr.. Romayne, we advise you to ente
on it without delay. Shall we lcav
the roomr"
"Certainly not" Father Benwel
answered. "The more witnesses ar,
present the more relieved I shall feel ,
He turned to his travelling companion
"Let Mr.. Romayne's lawyer" he re
sumed, estate what our business is."
The grey-headed gentleman stepped
forward.
fare you able to attend to me, sir P
he asked.
Romayne, reclining In his chair ap
parently lost to all interest in what wa
going on, heard and answered. TIL,
weak tone of his voice failed to reacl
my ear at the other end of the room
The lawyer, seeming to be satisfied 81
far, put formal question to the doc
tors next. lie inquired if Mr.. Ro
maync was in full possession of his fac
ulties.
Both the physicians answered with
out hesitation in the affirmative. Fa
ther Benwell added his attestation.
Throughout Mr.. Romayne's i'll
ness" he said firmly, "his mind hal
been as clear as mine is"
While this was going on, the chilG
had slipped off his mothers lap, with
the natural restlessnes of his age. He
walked to the fireplace and stopped
fascinated by the bright red glow Of tht
embers of burning wood. In one con
ner of the low fender lay q loose little
bundle of sticks, lett there in case the
fire might need re-lighting. The boy
noticing the bnndle. took ont vi
the sticks and threw 1t experimentally
into the CRATE. The fash of flame, as
the stick caught fire, delighted him
He went on burning stick after stick
The new game kept him quiet; his
mother was content to be on the
watch to see that no harm was done.
In the meantime the Lawyer briefly
stated his case.
"You remember MIR. Romayne, that
your will was placed for safo keeping
in our Office" he began. "Father Ben.
well called upon ms and presented an
order, signed by yourself, authorizing
him to convey the will from London 10
Paris. The object was to obtain your
signature to codicil, which had beer,
considered necessary addition to se-
cure validity of tho will. Are you
favoring me with your attention, sir?'
Romayne answered by a slight bend.
ing of his head. Ills eyes were fixed
on the boy-stil. absorbed in throwing
his sticks, one by one, into the fire. "
"At the time when your will was
executed" the lawyer went on, "Fa-
ther Benwell obtained your pcrmis-
sion to take copy of 1t. Hearing of
your illness, he submitted the copy to
a high legal authority. The written
opinion of this competent person de-
clares the clause, bequeathing the
Vange estate to the Roman Church, to
be so imperfectly expressed that the
will might be made subject of litiga-
ton after the tcstator's death. He has
accordingly appended form of codicil
amending the defect, and we have ad.
ded it to the will. / thought it my duty,
as ono of your legal advisers, to ac-
company Father Benwell on his return
10 Paris in charge of the will in case
you might feel disposed to make any
Ho looked towards Stella
and the child as he completed that sen.
lence. Father Benwell's keen eyes
ook the same direction. "Shall | read
he will, sir2" the lawyer resumed cor
would you prefer to look at II your
'elf?"
Romayne held out his hand for the
will in silence. He was still watching
lis son. There were but few more
'ticks now left to be thrown into the
ire.
Father Benwell interfcred for the
irst time.
"One word, Mr.. Romayne, before
,ou examine that document" !" he said,
The Church receives back from you
he property which was once its own.
Beyond that, it authorizes and even
iesires you (by my voice) to make any
,hanges which you or your trusted
egal adviser may think right. l refer
o the clauses of the will which relate
o the property you have inherited
rom the late Lady Berrick-and beg
he persons present to bear in memory
he few plain words that have now
poken."
He bowed with dignity, and drew
pack. Even the lawyer was favorably
The doctors looked at each
,ther with silent approval. For the
irst time the sad repose of Stella's face
was disturbed-I cOuld see that 1t cost
her an effort to repress her Indignation.
The one unmoved person was Ro-
nayne. The sheet of paper ON which
he will was written lay unregarded
lpon his lap; his eyes were still rivet-
I'd on the little figure at the fireplace.
The child had thrown his last stick
into the glowing red embers. lie look
I'd about him for fresh supply, and
found nothing. His fresh, young voice
rose high through the silence Of the
room.
"More!" he cried. "Morel"
His mother held up warning finger.
''Hush!" she whispered. He shrank
away from her, as she tried to take
him on her knee, and looked across the
room at his father. "More!" he burst
out louder than ever.
Romayne beckoned TO me, and point
ed to the boy.
/ led him across the room. He was
quite willing to go with me he reitera-
ted his petition, standing at his fathers
knees.
"Llft him 10 me-" said Romayne.
l could bearly hear the words; even
his strength TO whisper seemed to be
fast leaving him. lie kissed his sou
with a painting fatigue undea that
trifling exertion pitiable TO sec. AS
placed the boy on his feet again he