The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-05-10
The TWO Wills.

pSShA
railway accident case, and was putting
up my papers with sigh OF relief. Anoth-
er forty minutes and should be at home;
but just as was tying up the last bundle
of papers, the office boy put his head III
at the door and dispellcd the tempting Wis
lLn.
IA woman to see you, If you please, sir.
She won't give her name. Says she's n
stranger"
''Strangeri" repeated. tWhat IL she
like2 Is She common persona"
''Not exactly, sr,' said the lad.
GA lady2" asked.
Arthur paused, as if considering, and
then, with look of intelligence, as much
as to say he had hit the nail on the head
this time, he answered:
"Wcll, sir, she's sort of betwixt and
between"
''Not bad definition, Arthur. Ask the
'betwixt and between up STAIRS"
A tall, mlddle-agcd woman entered and
: took the seat placed for her.
My visitor produced from her pocket a
large envelope, from which she drew a
piece Of paper. This she handed to me,
explaining in q hard, monotOnous voice,
that she had been sent to me by her master
MIR. Robert Bramleigh, of Coleman street,
who was dangerously il--in fact, was not
expected TO live many hours. The paper,
she said, had been written by his direction
and signed by him for his will that after.
noon. Fearing lest it should not be in a
proper form, he had desired her to take it
10 the nearest lawyer and have one pre-
pared according to the law.
unfoldcd the paper and read as follows;
"In tho name of GCd, Amen, leave my
body to The ground aud my b .ul to AlmigEt
God who, gave 1t. Now, this ID the will of me
Robert BrAml, lgh, of $50 Coleman street.
Y.ve and leave all my houses, lands, money
and everything that have to Hannah Cuur-
ton, my housekeepcr,as reward for her long
and faithful services. Sgntd y mo Oh Tues
.'RoBERT pRA,ILEIau.
'Witnets scs-James Lnrns, Maraa aret slms. u
examined tho writing carefully. The
signature, "Kobert Bramleigh," was weak
and shaky. Tie will itself was written in
masculine looking hand of singular de-
cision and boldncss. The characters were
large and we'll formed.
The document shown to me was how
ever, sufficient to give Hannah Churton all
MIR. Bramiegh's property.
Now. ain always particular about wills;
think they are 100 serious to be settled in
a hurry. never will allow aclient to ex.
ccute one until am convinced that its pur.
port is perfectly understood.
"You are Mrs. ChurlOn, presumed"
asked.
II am," she replied, looking me unfinch,
ingly in the face.
Somehow l felt suspicious that things
were not so fair as they should be. que.
toned her rather closely, but the only al.
mission obtaiued from her was that she
had written the will, but that it was at hel
masters dictation. offered to prepare q
more formal document, but before doing
SO, declared that it was necessary that
should see Mr.. Bramlegh. l named tho
omission of the appointment of an cXccu
tor. This seemed rather to nonpus her
Snc asked whether she could not be nance
as an cxccutrix. The more aversion she
showed to my seeing her master, the more
convinced felt that something was wrong
and seeing was not to he moved from my
purpose, she at last gave In, proposing
however, that / should accompany hcl
back, as she greatly feared it would be too
late if left till morning.
A cab soon took us to $50 Coleman
street. 1t was large, gloomy, old-fash
ioned house, with spacious entrance hall
was taken into the dining-room and ask
cd to wait while Mr.. Bramlcigh was being
prepared for my visit. The furniture wa
old and very massive. Some very hand
some oil paintings graced the walls.
am very fond of pictures, so, raising th'
lamp, l walked around the room, SLOWLY
Inspecting them. On the right of the fire
place came upon a picture with Its fac
turned to the wall, l turued the picture
it was the portrait of young and yer.
beautiful girl ~ a dark riding habit. Hear
ing footsteps outside the door, ..restorc
the picture to the position in which fo,n
1t, and as did 80, / saw written at Tn
ho:tom of the frame, "Magdalcn Bram
leigh
Inc footsteps heard were those of tn
housemaid, who had come to announc
that MIR. Bramlelgh was ready to sec m
followed her up stairs, and was ushere
into large, comfortable looking bed loom
A cheerful fire burned in the crate. Fac
ing 1t was largo four post bedstead
hung with white curtains, and at the hea