The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-02-24

charge of his only child and make for her
such allowance as L shall think WISE
''What is your daughters name?'
'She is not my daughter" she answered,
ith the slightest token of gathering anima-
tion in her voice.
"Ah, yes: just So" said I, nervously
fumbling with the paper. "She's your step
daughter?"
eyes, SIR
''What's her name 2"
''Mabel Cecil" she haltingly spoke.
GA deuced pretty name," / remarked to
myself 81 wonder what she wants to stum-
bic so over pronouncing it 2" And then
tried to forget all about it, as took up my
pen and began; & l. ''Ahi par
don me. madame, but what's your husbands
( name %
What fools men are when little excited
especially young lawyers, sitting up with an
early case.
Robert E. Cecil
81, Robert E. Cecil, of the county Of Herk-
inner, and State of -, do make and
/ publish this my last will and testament:
81 give, bequeath and devise to my dearly
/ beloved wife
"Ah pardon, madam, but what's you
! name 20
"Lucy L. Cecil
! "To my dearly beloved wife, Lucy L. Ce-
/ ell, all my real and personal property of
whatsoever kind and nature, after the pay
ment of all my just debts and 1 hereby
commit to her guardianship my only child,
/ Mabel Cecil, for whom there shall be made
such allowance and maintenance as to my
beloved wife may seem fit
And l hereby appoint Lucy &. Cecil my
sole eXecutrix of this my last will and testa-
ment, hereby revoking all former wills by
me made,
'1n witness whereof have hereunto set
my hand, this third day of November, A D.
187-."
81 suppose you understand" >" undertook
to explain, ''that this will vests all your hus-
bands property in you, and to leave your
daughters allowances at your discretion is
to leave her at law nothing in her own right.
The provision is, in short, meaningless, ex-
cept that it shows that the testator had her
in his mind when he made his will, and so far
makes it all the more binding"
Exactly" she spoke with animation
'It's his wish-and 1 shall see that you are
well paid for your trouble and counsel-the
carriage will De 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 or no
pay" L growied, "to cut that girl off that
way without cent. But it's the old story,
and l can't help it, - and l sank back with
philosophical smile on my face
Then-just in sport, in a fit of malignant
satisfaction took up a second sheet of Ie-
gal cap, and scribbIed thereupOn with a for
nal opening and close that this said Robert
E. Cecil gave all his property to his dearly
beloved daughter, Mabel Cecil. and left the
dady of the veil where the law found her.
20 But such is the history of the world, l
included solem1ly, "ever such and what
~ gulf, deep, impossible, between what
N 1T to be and what is. How l should like
Y oodge it over" And l buttOned up my
pr o,pd walking to the window imagined
Dr of+be through the darkness the coming
~ oTiage of Madam Cecil.
m ,,o,,arg dragged slowly, very slowly, and
H. i,,l. -, more genuine relief than in hear
s ond sInsb reels grinding through the mud
Q. tif,- mo tbo a knocking at the door to no.
" snTang iage was ready.
" aoe,,ad tIspo,, the carriage and away we
g a. such darkness that could
70 -. = a. me discover to what por-
IL :, = -, mt were being driven. But
a. halt, and the car We c"liie u d Suuueh
at coachman conduct6 door opened Inc
On steps, where the & up the brown stone
- @.t.- door was already
et I;,,t,toa 7,aT ped into the dimly
he AS did so, lady, "
as ners told me was Madam HS Uio ahu man
re a side room, and with a lii siiueu Ioih
ly bade me follow her at onceI eI"iI.iVe Slnlie'
he slant had read her face u III 'iia' III
nd character. She might have maps heI
sss only she didn't look it, with IiiI nFe'
mt eyes, pearly teeth and elegant t'h' oiach
ell behind. all these 1 read the pei0 Ou'
,ly that turned to good may save c(e Ao'ce
,'t 70 srccsss thing
lid NoiseIessly she glided over the he
it pets. and as silently 1 followed hear
passed into the library, and from thenpe
by l instinctively felt-into the chambs
lg, DEATH even elegant furniture and CO..
he paintings and embroidered coverlets are
ith to overawe our destiny
to ''Mr. Cecil, the lawyer has come" she SC
nd Iy said, as she stopped over the face of
at silver haired man.
"What who ?'' said he as he started fr
an a.seemins stupor, and looked wonderingly
ag- me from his sunken eyes.
hat HE will read it to you now, Mr.. Ceci
adding in low tone, che is sinking rapid
Tor i fear you must hasten.''
'hy felt that must. l seated myself at
she bedside, and as did so 1 saw his lips tire
ice BILE, and 1 believe they were breathing
ny, name. Imagined it was Mabel
sri- Our boldest moves are born upon the ST
su- of the moment
ut MRS. Cecil, may 1 trouble you for 81
of water ?'' asked, as l took out the '
she had drawn.
lly "Quick, sir, quick - said 1, as 1 motto
his sunken eyes watching her hasteni
ply footsteps ''Do you want your daughter
eT, have all your property save what the i
1rd gives your wife ?'
nd He started back from me as if he cOnld L
trust his own senses, or was doubling whet
ed. er to put confidence in me but he seem
as to feel the necessity of doing so, and suddt
t 1 ly the dull eyes frightened with momen
rst ~ gleam of relief and joy as he clearly g
swered:
eyes, yes And God bless you"
And I, too. was thanking heaven for t
b a whim that had led me to write two wills
ch. very like in strength and appearance, and
Till was only the work of a moment to make {