The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-05-03
NUMBER Is
THE FORGED WILL.

/ his daughters only child. Gilbert Fair
/ fax has got everything in his own
hands He will have his own servants,
TOO, and now that he is master of Wood
lawn we who have served his uncle so
many years will be turned adrift. We
think too much of Miss Lucy to stand
any chance with him.
The above conversation took place
between the gardener and housekeeper
Of Woodlawn, who had grown gray in
the service of the late owner
In the library within, quite a differ
ent scene was being enacted, where the
grandpephew and granddaughter of the
deceased confronted each other for the
first time after the funeral.
The latter was young and exceed
ingly lovely girl, attIred in deep mourn
ing, whose eyes, dark and wonderfully
expressive, were fixed upon her COM
panion, man several years her senior,
and whose otherwise handsome face was
marred by its insineere and crafty ex-
preston.
1T is a great grief to me that l did
not see my grandfather before he died.
The postoflice stamp upon the letter
you wrote me shows that it was mailed
ON the day of his death.
The willy mans face flushed at all
this implied, and there was some haugh-
tiness in the voice that said
1T was written as soon as | saw that
my uncle was not likely to live. / can
not be responsible for the mistakes and
omissions of others.
Then a moment later he said, in a
softer tone:
Il don't wonder, my dear cousin,
that you feel hurt and disappointed at
the tenor of your grandfather's will.
1t was a great surprise to me. This
beautiful place must seem like home to
you. You need not leave it unless you
desire to do so. BY becoming my wife
you can be MISTRESS of Woodlawn, for
| love you, Lucy have loved you for
a long time"
1t would have been hard to decide
there was more surprise orI
aversion in Lucy's face as she heard
this.
Not even to win the inheritance
that is rightfully mine can / be your
wife, Mr.. Fairfax. And beg that you
will consider this answer as final.
A look Of sullen anger took the place
Of that passionate, appealing gaze. /
Il will pay you your grandfathers
egacy, then, that you may not be com
Delled to remain under the root of
man you evidently distrust"
by my lawyers advice, decline to
receive it.
The face turned towards the speaker
oaled, while the eyes had very startled
ook.
"By your lawyers advice !" he
echoed. "You intend to dispute the
will then? On what ground ?"
"By my lawyers advice, refuse to
.ccept so small a portion Of what is
ightfully mine. Also to answer ques
IONS
Gilbert Fairfax was evidently dis
urhed, not to say alarmed, though he
made a strong effort to repress all signs
fit.
81 wish could persuade you not to
.ttempt SO foolish thing, cousin" he
aid after a thoughtful pause. ''Oi |
curse, you know if you contest the will
hat there is a strong probability of los
ng your legacy"
II know that there is a chance for
t."
The mans hands wandered for mo-
nent aimlessly among the papers on his
Iesk before him. Then he fixed his
yes keenly upon that sweet, ingenious
ace.
"You don't-you can't think that
here has been any foul play, Lucy ?"
81 don't know what to think" re-
ponded the young girl, turning YEARLY
owards the door. ut is hard for me
0 believe that my grandfather would
cave me so slenderly provided for. As
0 the rest, must refer you to Mr.
crawford, my lawyer"
When the two met again 1t was in the
rowded court room.
Not all Gilbert Fairfax's ingenuity,
vas able to discover what course the
would dispute the genuine
less of the will, or endeavor to prove
he testator was not in fit state
{ mind to make it; so he was obliged
o provide for either contingency.
The legatee, in endeavoring to prove
he validity of the will, presented a very
trong case. Two respectable witnesses
estifed that they we're present when
he will was signed and that they heard
t read to the testator, who signi6ed his
Of and assented to it. B
The signature itself, though somewhat,
ramped and tremulous, as it would
laturally. be under the circumstances,
side from this bore a strong resem-
,lance to the testator's.
When the witnesses for the defense
gere all in, and the LAST one was about
o leave the stand, the counsel for the
arose and said
Now, sir, remember that you are
lnder oatn. Do you declare that you
aw this paper signed by the living hand
f the late Arthur Fairfax ?"
The countenance of the man addressed
-isibly altered at these words.
Il saw his hand sign it, he said, az
or moments pause.
'Do.you, dare you assert that you
leard the man whose name is attached
0 this paper assent to Its provisions p
There was a pause considerably lon
Ter than the first, Then the witness,
peaking with some hesitation, said
II heard the viii read to him. I
lso heard his nephew ask him if he un-
Ierstood it and saw him bow his head
nassent"
"That viii do, said the lawyer.
Then turning to the judge, he added
Your honor, can prove, to your
and the satisfaction Of eve
y one present, that the late Arthur
fairfax died three hours before the will
yas signed"
The clerk will now summon Mrs.
Rachael Barker to the stand.
Mrs. Barker, an elderly, respectable
ooking woman, being duly sworn, said
" AIy name is Barker. / was house
.eeper to the late Arthur Fairfax. hav
ng been IN his service for Twenty-Five
ears. Was in his service at the time
le died, the 18th day Of August. Have