The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1882-04-06
In wftnee whereof have hereunto bel
nv hand, this third day Of November, 4

D. Isl
/ i suppose you understand | under
took to explain, 'tthat this will vests al
your husbands property in you, and tt
leave your daughters allowance to YOU
discretion is to leave her &C law nothing ii
her own right. The provision is, ii short
meaningless, except that 1t shows that tht
testator had her III his mind when he
made his will, and 10 far makes it the
more binding
sExactlyl' she spoke with animation
It's his wish--and L shall see that you
are well paid FOR your trouble and counsel
the carriage will be here very soon.
And she had gone as quickly as she had
| come.
| That remark about payment had entered
very threadbare coat, and had struck
| right home.
But it's too mean, all the same, pay OF
no paw grouled, TO eut that girl OF that
| way without cent! But it's the old story,
and--I can't help it.' and sank back with
a philosophical smile on my face.
Then-just in sport, ina tit Of malignant
satisfaction-L took np u second sheet Of
legal cap, and scribbled thereupon, with q
formal opening and close, that this same
Robert +. Cecil gave all his property TO
his dearly beloved daughter, Mabel, and
left the lady Of the veil where the law
found her.
| But such III the history of the world i
concluded, solemnly, ever such; and
what gulf, deep, impossible, between
what ought TO be and what is' How |
should like to bridge it overt And but
toned up my coat, and walking to the win
dow, imagined I could sec through the
darkness the coming of the carriage OF
Madam Cecil. H.
The time dragged slowly, very slowly,
and ! never felt more genuine relief thar
in hearing heavy wheels grinding through
the mud and slush, and knocking at the
door to notify me the carriage Was ready.
sprang into the carriage and away we
dashed through such darkness that could
not for the life OF nae discover TO what
portion Of the town we were being driven.
But in very short time we came to sud-
den halt, and the carriage door opened.
The coachman conducted me up the brown
stone steps. where the open door was al
ready awaiting me, and Istepped into the
dimly, lighted hall.
As did SO, q lady, whose figure and
manners told me was Madame Cecil, gIlded
from a side room, and with a little plain
tive smile, bade me follow her at once. But
in that instant, had her face and perhaps
her character. She might have been
tElirty-tive, only she didn't look Il, with
those brilliant black eyes, pearly teeth and
elegant manners but behind all these |
read the positive force that turned TO good
may save . country, but given over to evil
would sacrifice everything TO success.
Noislessly she glided overthe heavy car
pets, and as silently followed her. She
passed into the library, and thence-as l
nstinctiyely feIt-into the chamber Of
death; even elegant furniture and costly
paintings and embroidered coverlets are
not to overawe our destiny.
sMr. Cecil, the lawyer has come, she
softly said, as she stopped over the ernacl-
ated face OF d silver-haired man.
what. who!' as he started from
seeming stupor, and looked Wonderlngly
at me from his sunken eyes.
He will read it to you now, Mr. Cecll,
she adding in q low tone: He is sinking
rapidly; fear you must hasten.'
i felt that must. / seated myself aat
his beside. and as / did 50 saw his lips
tremb1e, and believed they were. breath
ing name; Imagined It was Mabel,
Our boldest moves are upon the spur OF
the moment.
mrs. Cecil may Tstrouble you for glass
Of water?' / asked, 40 ] took out the will
she had drawn.
Quick, sir, quicks' said I, as noticed
his sunken eyes watching her fastening
footsteps. DO you want your daughter 10
have all your property, save what the law
gives your vife9'
He started back from me as If ne could
not trust his own senses, OF was douptlns
whether to put confidence in me: but ne
aeen,ad to feel the. necessity OF doing SO,
and suddenly the dull eyes frightened with
) momentary CLEAN Of relief and joy as ne
clearly answered: z
sYes, yes. And God bless you?
And / too was thanking heaven for the
vhim that. had led me to write two wills
80 yery like in strength and appearance,
and it was only the work Of moment 60
make the exchange and just II time.
with Mrs. Cecil came the housekeeper
and q man servant, and in their presence
the dying man tremblingly signed n1a
name to the SECOND will, aud they Witnessed
it.
They had gone, and I Istarted to 90.
when the old man pressed my hand, and
saw the tears gathering in bis eyes. -
turned TO 60 involuntary felt that tnf
black ewes OF Madame Cecil had witnessed
all.and suspected everything.
i should like 10 see that will I she sac
firmly, lii ! low voice.
some other time. Hes dying, Mrs
Cecil