Morris tribune., 1882-10-12

Si.as turned verv white and his knees
trembled, for Mr.. Reeves was the solicit
or who had witnessed the execution of
his fathers will.
I'll beg your pardon" he said falter-
ingly; 81 think there must be some mis-
take, I have not the pleasure Of your ac-
quaintance."
~ imagined yonr housekeeper wrote
to me by your instructions" said the
solicitor, slightly embarrassed and glanc
ing at Mrs Draycott.
81 wrote because the late Mr.. Pc pple-
well told me to in case you did not"
said the woman, looking toward silas de-
tiantly. HE wishes the will to be read
at the funeral"
"Will! what will?" exclaimed Silas,
with feigned surprise; and then he
added, as though bracing his nerves for
the ordeal, Pray be seated, gentlemen,
and take glass of wine and biscuit
Each person selected chair and sub
sided into it with good deal of shutting
of feet and coughing, but no one accepted
the proffered hospitality. The dead ST.
lence which ensued indicated breathless
interest and excitement.
''My father has left no WILL" assever-
ated Silas, taking up his position on the
hearthrug and endeavoring to speak
calmly.
81 think you are mistaken, Mr.. Pop
plewell." said Mr.. Reeves. politely bu
firmly. "Your father executed will in
my presence which l prepared for him
about year ago. He certainly has left
a will-unless, of course, he has de-
stroyed or otherwise revoked it,
"The will is locked up in the iron box
in the study" lnterposed Mrs. Draycott
with 1oniSiop
II repeat that my father has left no
WILL" cried Sias angrily. anyone is at
liberty to search the iron box if he likes.
As Mr.. Reeves suggests, my father de-
stroyed the will"
Il do not believe it," exclaimed the
house keeper excitedly. "Why, l saw
it with my own eyes not a month ago"
when did he destroy it? Who seed
i'm do it?' inquired a voice from among
the mourners.
HE destroyed it in my presence last
let me see-last Thursday week. I
fetched it at his request from the iron
box, and he put in the fire Of his own
free WILL" said Silas, lying glibly.
Though effecting to recall the date pro-
miscuously, Silas had been careful to pre-
pare this story beforehand. On the day
named he had sat with his father alone
for more than an hour during the after
noon, while Mrs. Dravcott had been sent
out on an errand. If the deceased had
intended to destroy the will he would
probably have got the woman out of the
way on similar pretence, and the sug-
gestiCn was plausible enough. The
house-keeper gave plausible start, and
was evidently impressed by the coinci
dence, but among the rest of the audi
| ence, there was a general expression OF
incredulity. with good deal Of head
shaking and some murmurs.
Well, gentlemen, must say that MIR.
Popplewel's account is perfectly straight
forward" interposed the lawyer, who,
whatever his private opinions might have
been, probably thought it prudent as a
! matter of business to side in with Silas.
''Testators frequently revoke their wills
in the manner described. If it is any
consolation to you, gentlemen, l may
mention that as far as you are concerned
the existence of the will would have
| made no difference to you"
will you tell us, Mr.. Lawyer, who
will get the money, supposing what Mr..
Silas says is true" inquired voice in
an aggrieved tone.
"Mr. Popplewell will inherit every
! thing as next of kin and heir at law"
|
This information exhibited loud cho-
rus of Indignation, and many insulting
, epithets were leveled at the head of the
| luckless Silas, who, pale and trembling.
realized that his triumph was dearly
| bought, even at the price Of 60 900. Sud.
| denly the strident tones of Mrs. Dray-;
| colt became audible above the uproar
and compelled attention.
"The old villain has broke faith with
me, and sneaking scoundrel he always
was, and so he died." cried she, speaking
under strong excitement. but Pm no.
longer bound to keep his secret, and /
won't. say, Bill Allenw she exclaimed !
| appealing to one of the mourners, ''you
ought to know me though its thirty years
and more since [ was supposed to have
died. You recollect old Poll Saunders
that old Joe Popplewell married when
| he was working at the railway down.
Liverpool way?''
"Why, surely" calculated the individ-
ual referred to. Ave, its Poll. sure
enough" he added shading his eyes with
his hand,
81 was his lawful wife, Mr.. Reeves,
and he knew it," she explained, turning
to the astonished solicitor. HE desert
ed me years ago and married a lady-Mr.
Silas' mother. found him out again by
accident quite recently, and promised to
keep his secret on condition that he
would provide for me by his will. But
he has been false to me as he was years
ago, and now l won't keep silence any
longer"
"This is most Serious" said the solicit
or, turning 10 Silas, who stood aghast:
with horror and amazement, sif this
4 hn~ orrio
| "Oh! nave proofs. l took care of
that" interposed the soi-disant Mrs.
Draycott, drawing an oblong slip of
paper from her bosom and handingit to
| the lawyer ''Read that and look at
what | made him sign on the back"
1t is marriage certificate" said Mr..
Reeves, glancing at it; and turning it
over he read aloud as follows: "I,
Joseph Popplewell, do acknowledge that
my housekeeper, Mrs. Draycott, is my
lawful wife, which l married under the
name of Mary Saunders in IS, and I,
Mary Popplewell or Draycott, do hereby
| swear that if my husband, Joseph Popple-
well, leaves me $4,000 by his will, will;
keep his marriage secret
'tThis extraordinary document pur-
ports to be signed by both parties"
J added the lawyer, handling the paper
| reverentIy, "and [ must saw that UPON
the face of it, taken in conjunction with
the certificate, it appears to be incontest-
| able evidence"
who gets the money now, them" de-
manded the same person who had asked
| the question before.
! "Well, gentlemen, I am sorry to say
| that Mr.. Silas Popplewell being, unfortu-
| nately for himself, nullius flius, or lille
| climate, can inherit nothing replied
| Mr.. Reeves. "The estate will, there
| fore, be divided between the, lawful
| widow of the deceased and the next OF
kin, according to the statute
The excitement of the audience at
L AZ, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES co-,,I 1,a,,+ :,