The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-01-17

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deadly pale. He happened to know
that his uncle had consulted this gentle
man professionally at comparatively
recent date. and no, therefore. in
stlnctively guessed the nature Of the
revelation in store for him.
mo! / never heard of Mr.. Mayno,
and don't believe my uncle did," he
replied. almost iicrcely.
"Well, sir, YOU sec your uncle did not
always consult You about his affairs"
returned Mr.. Crumbcr, rather disre-
spcctfully. "At any rate, he knew Mr..
Mayno, who prepared will for him
shortly before he died"
GLOW do you know" demanded
Alfred Laking. too startled TO conceal
his agitation.
because I've seen it. I've not only
seen II, bit I've read it. Your namo
ism mentioned in that will, Mr.. LAX
ing" said tho man, with grin.
IA very fine story" said Alfred
Laking, with forced laugh. "Pray,
how Is it that Mr. Wayne has never
written TO inform me OF the alleged
will?'
"Bccause, in the first place, doubt
| II he is aware OF the Col0ncrs death;
Dut, II he IL, he has probably forgotten
that the Colonel left his will with him,
for his memory isn't what it was" said
Mr.. Crunber, growing more fnmil ar in
his manner a5 lie remarked Alfred
laking's white lips and agitated dc.
mcan6r. "By some omission the will
is not indcxed in the schedule Of the
contents OF the strong room. | came
across it quito accidentally while search
ing for something else. Knowing the
name Of the tcstator and all the Cir
cumstanccs, the will attracted my atten-
ton. Otherwise, 1t would probably
have remained undisturbed for years. J"
"Thon do You mean TO say that Mr..
| Maync is unaware OF the existence OF
the will?' said Alfred Laking, with in
voluntary cagerncss.
81 believe every one in the Office has
forgotten il. might purloin that will
from the safe tomorrow and no one
would be the WISER" returned Crum6er,
imprcssiyely.
il was impossible to ignore tho in.
sidious purpose OF tho mans visit.
Evidently he was IN inscriptions
scoundrcl, who desired to turn the dis.
covcry he made TO account. Alfred
Laking looked at him with newly
awakened curiosity, and was by no
means iavorably impressed by his ap.
tpcarancH. Tho man had forbiddiny
exprc sion, and IL suddenly occurred Ia
Mr.. Laking that this was an impuden'
attempt 10 extort money by false pre-
lenses.
IL don't believe word Of what 20,
say,". he cried, suddenly rising from
his seat and confronting tho unwel
come visitor "Yom story is tissue
of falschoods.'
~ was afraid You might think so
sir, so | vcntured to bring the will witt
me-" said the man, slyly.
"What! you have actually stolen itp'
cried Alfred Laking.
81 have il here, anyway" returned
Crumbcr, cody, MS he produced {
document from his pocket 81 can pu
it back where took il from within an
hour. OF course, it is no earthly use
TO mo-"
"Lot me SEQ it," said Alfred Lakine
IN hoarse voice, seating himself in his
chair again.
Mr.. Crumber unlolded tho document
and glanced at it, apparently rejecting
whether il would be wise to part will
ii. But alter pause he laid il on tht
desk, saying
"rm treating you like q gentleman
sir. You must promise to return il L
me-"
"Yes, yes" said Alfred Laking
stretching out his hand impaticntly.
Some moments elapsed before tn,
ngitatcd gentleman could compose him
self sufficiently to take in tho contents
of the will lle first turned to the lina
page, which bore the signature OF thu
tcslator and the at,c,ting Witnesses.
So far rs he could judge the signatures
were genuine, and tho document hat
evidently been prepared several month.
ago. the edges OF the paper being dis
colorcd and tho ink faded. II wa
dated few weeks before Colonel LAX.
ings death, and was, therefore, in all
probability, the last will no had made
When he came TO read it carefully
Alfred Laking's lingering hopo that Tho
document might be n forgery was quick
ly dispcllcd. From internal evidence i
was undoubtedly genuine, the name o
various persons and places being men
toned which no stranger could have
fabricated. Tho Colonel appeared Il
have left his property TO some distant
relatives, subject TO few charitable
requests. His ncphew's name was moi
mentioned and m old military friend
was appointed executor
| Mr.. Alfred Laking read the will over
two or three times, keeping his faco
concealed from Mr.. Crumbcr who man
Tested u good deal of impotence. At
| length he reused himself from his I'M
pleasant reflections, folded up the fatal
document and fixed half-frightcned,
half.doiant gaze upon his visitor.
what do you propose TO do with
thisp" no inquired, nervously.
"Well, sir, that depends upon you,"
replied Crumber. AT You advise me TO
put it back and remind tho Governor Of
| 1t, well and good"
But Alfred Laking did not hasten to
advise this straightforward course. He
kept silent for long time. iidgetine
norvously with tho document he had
in his hand, and ut length Crumbel
spoke.
"You SEQ, sir, nobody knows of tn,
existence Of tho will but you and me
Surprising we We're to throw 1t on tn,
fire yonder, who would be the wiserp'
GLOW dare you eest such thingp
cried Alfred Laking, with show of yir
tuous Indignation. at would be Grim
inal oflenso."
~ suppose You wouldn't split OF
me- sir, II l was to do it," suggestc,
Crumber: speaking almost in wills
per- "The fact is, sir. I'm thinking o
emigrating. ] don't mind tho risk. Civ,
me thousand pounds and the trick /.
done"
The indignant expression had died
out of Alfred Lakings face, leaving il
winter than ever, and he gazed at bis