Evening star., 1883-07-21

room IN gloucester road to hear the will read
1t may seem odd that should have been present
at this merely family matter, but the fact is that
l, John Warrington, Of the Inner Temple bar
rister-at-law, was not. A silent and humble
gentleman, with beard and glasses, with also
seedy coat and boots to match. and habit OF
taking snuff surreptitiously, yet with certain
was merely Mr. Fords clerk and If his figure
and face were not familiar sights in the offices
of Messrs. Ford, Ford and Bittle. why MIR. Ford
had right to engage special clerk for bust
ness OF 80 confidential a nature as this Their.
were not many present. The tall, gracious
almost queenly woman sitting near the fire witt,
her back to the light and large black fan IN her
hand Is Miss Chilling, third cousin to the de-
ceased. as the newspapers would say. The fair
nervous girl by the table Is Miss Give Great.
head; observe that her pale face hushes a little
as she shakes hand with '.our Mr. Ford" In
the background are Old Humphreys, the Clerk,
and several servants.
Il have two wills here which think 7 ought
to read, says the lawyer softly, taking his seat
at the end OF the table THE first is dated 1870
made within the last six months but regret to
say that our poor friend must have DESTROYED it.
intending-Of this have no doubt-to make nm
other In It's place In the midst CT Life, We are
Having uttered this in low but clea.t tones he
takes from mel mean from the clerk who nro-
duces them from his black bag, some papers aud
proceeds in more business-like tones to read I'm.
last will and testament of Jonathan Gl eathead
OF Gloucester road, in the county of Mlddlesex:
London, barrister- -at-law"
1.-The purport is this" said he. after the usual
mood OF VcfbiaRe had passed for the liIOst part
harmlessly over our heads, that the bulk of the
testators estate would 90 to his cousin, Miss
Chilling, and shale, very much smaller Int
t0
respect very much regret that my task does
not end with this will"
Then we all listen to another last will and
testament aud fresh current of convey.
ancers English. much shOrter than the last.
however, Is let loose upon us. One person
in the room, can safely assert, feels on the
rack, and Miss Chillings fan never STAYS. but
fiutters, now slowly, now with a sudden I'm
pctus. And no wonder; her fortune Of E45 600
Is swept away as by stroke OF the pen and a
OF the residue, after payment Of certain lega-
cies TO the servants, clerks, and Others, the
whole is given to Miss Greathead When he
Ceased e. I'd the woman by the fire rose grandly to
This is not the final arrangement our ftieud
Intended to make; so much know; 1t Is a sad
lesson OF the danger Of procrastination, even in
the wisest OF u.s." Mr.. Ford, in q low. apolo.
getic TIC tone, busy with the paper.
on, Edith, l am very sorry!" Miss Great
~~ A'SSH too anu put nef mana upOD the
eiaer womans shoulder. The servants were
ming out Miss Chilling pushed the other aside.
hot .Ciueiiy out as If she were In the way
"Ihe Will show me the will" she said I'm
hoarse, low tones. holding ont one white hand
imDerattvely. Mr.. Ford handed it to her with.
! out word: She took 1t to the window and
examined 1t carefully. Wonderful as under the
circumstances was her self-cOmmand. one conld
hear the paper rustic In her shaking hands. In
a moment she faced US.
"You did not draw this will?"
"NO," Mr.. Ford answered, nervously. che
took, / suppose, other advice. The attestine
witnesses are Ar. Warrington, who, yon NAV be
aware, has chambers-had, I should say-with
the sefjeant, and the laundress, who died some
months ago. So it is evident that it was made
at Chambers"
There was an uncomfortable silence for a
moment. Then Miss Chilling crossed the room
and rang the bell.
sis Mr.. Humphreys still here?" che said to the
servant.
'Yes, miss"
Ask him to cometo me, if you please"
MY clerk shall fetch him." cried Mr.. Ford.
nastily with glance first at the servant and
Ihen at his unprepOssessing follower.
-, no, said Miss Chilling, imperatiyely. We
aii stood still and listened to the clock licking
soiemnly, TIL the old clerk appeared.