The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-10-14

ever, from watching her furtively.
knowing what he did Of his fathers in
tentions towards her. She was q vul-
gar, illiterate, elderly woman, singu-
larry devoid of personal attraction, and
apparently not possessed of much IN
telligence. While striving in vain to
account for his fathers extraordinary
| prediction for her as manifested by his
will, Silas was struck by an expression
OF determination on the woman's face
which seemed to Indicate q desperate
character. He began to suspect that
she had forged the will by the aid of ac-
conlplices, and was waiting with calln-
ness the issue OF her organizations. IL
80, she was doomed to disappointment,
thought Sfihs. and he chilckled at the
notion of having frustrated such an in
lannon's scheme. -.
When the day of the funeral arrived
| Silas felt strangely nervous and uncom-
| Portable He was very much upset by
the unexpected number of mourners,
the mere fact of having to provide gloves
and Grape on such an extended scale be-
| ing sufficient to cause him seriou; veXa-
ton. Old Joseph Popplewell was a
man of very humble origin, having, in
fact, commenced life as a common
laborer and Silas scarcely knew any of
his father relatives. Several of these
| turned up, however, without being in
vited, and Silas resented their presence
very much, NOT dhlysbeeaase Re VIC not
anxious to claim kiuship with them, but
because they would no doubt make par
ticular in uiries about the destination
of the old mans property.
| If il to 40 fooroJ tbat Giloc ffnraH
his mind to wander good deal from his
old fathers obsequies.
He may have had a soft corner in his
heart for the old mans memory, but
nervousness and apprehension rem
dered it inaccessible on this oc-
casion. The solemn words of
the burial service fell UNDECIDED
on his ear, for his mind was disturbed
by the prospect of having to explain to
his relativesathat his father had died in
testate. His newly discovered kinsmen
were q painfully vulgar and coarse
minded set, and several fragments of
conversation referring to his father
suppose testamentary intentions had
reached him. The idea that the old
man had left,a will seemed as general
as the eNtravagant notion that each in
dividual rnourler had been named in it
/ Though he was guiltless as far as they
were all concerned, Silas Popplewell.
being agitated and unnerved, shrank
| from the task of answering their in
quiries; while he was seized with sud
den terror lest the houseEeeper should
take the opportunity to give utterance
to unpleasant suspicion
When the mournerS returned to the
house, Mrs. Draycott was standing by
the fireplace in the sitting room con-
versing with prim, Professionalism
ink gentleman, who. on perceiving
Silas, advanced to meet him, rubbing
his hands
''Mr Popplewell, believe" he said,
with slight bow.
Yes" replied Silas, uneasily.
''You will doubtless know my name
when mention il" replied the other;
81 am Mr.. Reeves, of Grays' Inn
Square" rr
T Silas turnedvery white and his knees
trembled for Mr.. Reeves wasthe solicitor
who had witnessed the execution of his
fathers will. .a' 'H-'I
IL beg your pardon" he said
falteringly; Il think there must be
some mistake. / have not the pleasure
OF your acquaintance.
'' imagined your housekeeper wrote
to me by your instructions" said the
solicitor, slightly embarrassed and
CHANGING at Mrs Draycott.
4" wrote because the late Mr.. Pop
Eplewell told me to in case you did not"
said the woman, looking towards Silas,
,defiantly. - He wished the will to be
read at the funeral" .rt.sr
"Will! what will?' exclaimed Silas,
with feigned surprise; and then he
added, as though bracing his nerves for
the ordeal: pray be seated, gentle
men, and take glass of wine and q
biscuit ..
Each person selecteda chair and sub
sided into it with good deal of shut
fling of feet and coughing, but no one
accepted the preferred hospitality. The
dead silence which ensued indicated
breathless interest and excitement.
My father has left no will" assev-
Grated Silas, taking up his position on
the hearth-rug and endeavoring to speak
calmly. . .-
Il think you are mistaken, Mr.. Pop
plewell," said Mr.. Reeves, politely but
firmly: "Your father executed will in
my presence which prepared for him
about year ago. He certainly has left
a will-unless, of course, he has de-
stroyed or otherwise revoked it,"
1.-The will is locked up in the iron
box in the study" interposed Mrs.
Draycott, with decision. tt
- repeat that my father has left no
will, " cried Silas, angrily. "Any one
is at liberty to search the iron box if he
likes AS Mr.. Reeves suggests, my
father DESTROYED the will -