The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-04-25
DESTROYING A WILL.


!
DESTROYING A WILL.
On the death of Colonel Laking.
no one was more surprised at his
not having left will than Mr.. Al
fred Laking, his nephew and heir-at-
law.
That gentleman had the best reas-
ons for knowing that his uncle was
not well disposed towards HMM
fact, the Colonel had refused to have
anything to do with him for some
years past.
The truth was that Alfred Laking
had once been guilty of an act of
meanness. which his uncle never
forgave, and therefore the fortu nate
heir had not expected to benefit by
his uncle's death. But even outsid-
ers, who knew nothing of the cause
of the estrangement between the Col
onel and his nephew, were amazed
at the old gentleman dying intestate.
He had so frequently expressed his
determination of preventing his
nephew from succeeding to his prop
ertv and had made so many wills at
different times with that object that
his intestacy caused universal as
tonishment. 1t was generally sup
posed that his somewhat sudden
death had frustrated his testamenta-
ry intention, or else that, at the last
moment, he had realized the force
of the old adage that blood is thick
er than water, and had been content
to permit his nephew to inherit it in
the ordinary course of law.
But while Mr.. Alfred Laking re-
ceived the congratulations Of his
friends with equanimity, and appa-
rently acquiesced in the general
opinion that he was a very lucky in
dividual, he did not by any means
feel secure of his inheritance.
For the first few months after his
uncle's death he was perpetually
haunted by the dread that his elab-
crate precautions would be thrown
away but when a year had passed
he began to breathe more freely.
The chances were he thought, that
| if will existed, il would have turn
ed up by this time, or else it would
probably rot away in its hiding
place.
Thus by degrees the phantom con-
jured up by his pusillanimous i'm
agination became less appalling /;
until one day mis- anxiety was re-
vived by very ominous incident.
A shabbily dressed, middle aged
man called upon him and said he
had an important communication
to make. He gave the name of
Crumber, and Alfred Laking then re-
membered that he was clerk in the
Office of the solicitor whom he had
employed to wind up his uncle's es-
tate. This circumstance seemed re-
assuring, for Alfred Laking natural
ly supposed the man had been sent
with some message from his master
relating to business matters.
Il presume Mr.. Baker asked you
to call ?" he said, nervously.
"No, sir. The fact is / left Mr..
Bakers office some months ago. l
am at present in another situation, +"
he replied.
"What is your business, then ?'
inquired Mr.. Laking, with increased
uneasiness.
81 suppose We are quite alone, sir,
and cannot be overheard?" said the
man mysteriously,
"You can speak out, though | can
not imagine what you have to say
that is so important" returned Mr..
Laking, glancing to see that the door
was closed.
"When | left Mr.. Bakers office
took situation with another solicit
orr said Crumber, lowering his
voice. THE Gentleman | am now
with is Mr.. Mayne, of Lincoln's inn.
fields. 1 don't know whether you
ever heard of him, sir"
4 Alfred Laking stared, and turned
deadly pale.
/ He happened to know his uncle
had consulted this gentleman pro-
fessionally at comparatively recen,
date, and he therefore instinctively
guessed the nature of the revelation
in store for him.
no! l never heard of Mr.. Mayne
and | don't believe my uncle did,
he replied.
well, sir, you see your uncle did
not always consult you about his
affairs" returned Crumber, rather
disrespectfully. AT any rate, he
knew Mr.. Mayne, who prepared a
will for him shortly before he died
SIR"
"How do you know ?" demanded
Alfred Laking, too startled to conceal
his agitation.
Because, I've seen 1t. I've not
only seen it, but I've read ii. Your
name isn't mentioned in that will,
Mr.. Laking," said the man with a
grin.
"A very fine story" said Alfred
Laking, with forced laugh. "Pray,
how is it that Mr.. Mayne has never
written to inform me of the alleged
| will ?"
Because, in the first place, ]
doubt ifhe is aware of the Colonel's
death; but, if he is, has probably
forgotten that the Colonel left his
will with him, for his memory isn't
what it was" said be.
\ II don't believe q word of what
you say" he cried, suddenly rising
! from his seat and confronting the
unwelcome visitor. "Your story is q
t;eeue of falsehoods.n