The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-20

WliCSQGu JuuCttOA, NbSIC uC CdERuk tue express leaving Euston at nine.
 It was a dispiriting day;a November iog hung over London, and it was only a 'eF degrees lighter in the country, be- sides which drizEling rain was falling altogether the sort of day wheh a person would not feel inclined 10 say, Good morning" even 10 his dearest friend. However, wet or dry, foggy or clear, the 'ron-horse does its duty with equal indif- ference and Mir. Goulding, having be- guiled the five hours as well as be could with couple of newspapers, found him. self in Chester station few minutes after the advertised time. Haviag taken some refreshments, he hired cab to drive to The Firs," distance of about four miles, but which. seemed ten under the circumstances for it was still raining, the roads were muddy, and everything looked as unattractive as could be imagined. At half-past three he reached his desti- nation, and was glad to alight, hoping to finish his business in time to catch train for London abort two hours later.
 The Firs" was what might be de- scribed in an advertisement as !" a mod ern residence replete with every conven- Ience." It had pretty gata-lodge and an extensive lawn bordered with a plan tation of tall fir trees, to which il owed its name. When Mir. Mcs;op had entered into possession of it on the death of his father, it was by no means so modern looking but he laid out round sum on Improvements, 10 please his wife, who had brought him very respectable for tune. His establishment at the time of Mir. Gouldings visit included an elderly butler, who made himself generally use ful, and disagreed with the cook a coachman, who was also a gardener a stable boy, who assisted in the garden a cook, who was half housekeeper, and dis | agreed with the butler; and two other fe- male servants, who disagreed with each other. The cause of this Reorganization in the servants hali was the want of a mistress, for Mir. Mossop never interfered with his domestics so long as they min istered to his daily requirements in a sat. 1 isfac.ory manner; but to this extent he was very strict. A valet he never would have, as he considered those functiona- ries were only in toe way, and were more interested about their masters affairs than in their own duties
 On MT. Goulding's arrival, he was re- teived by the butler, who informed him that MT. Mossop had been very bad all the previous night; the doctor had been to see him in the forenoon, and he was now asleep. or course, under the cir cumstances the solicitor could not have him disturbed, so there was nothing for 1t but to dismiss the cab and wait while dinner was being prepared.
 ltwas nearly o'clock when the nurse who had been attending the old gentle man during his illness came to tell Mir Goulding that her patient was awake and inquiring for him. In a few moments the solicitor stood by the bedside of his client, and was shocked to observe the change in his appearance since tn cir last meeting, some months before. His cheeks were sunken, and if they had any color at all, it was sickly bluish tint {; while his voice was so weak that nothing but important business could have justi- ned any one in holding conversation with him. He had been a rather handsome man, tall, with aquiline features, and severe expression of countenance, though he was in reality kind-hearted. Nov he "oS ASNoSSA " Q hACtC Suo0OW. He was glad to see MT. Goulding, and as soon as they were alone desired to have the will read over to him before calling in the witnesses.
 "There is one thing l omitted" he said, when the solicitor had fl aished "I intended to leave something to the ser wants, but it slipped my memory when was writing the instructions. thought afterward that it would do as we'll if notified my wishes in writing to Mrs Reddie; she would be sure to carry out my intentions"
 No doubt" said MT. Goulding. |" But it you like, we can easily draw up a CO., dicil."
 "I do not think that is necessary. if recover"
 "Why, my dear sir, hope that few days will see you on your feet again"
 "Ah! mo-" said the sick man wearily. "I was never so Ill before l think this attack will finish me. But in any case, have written letter to her requesting her to distribute some legacies among them, according to my original intention.
 am sure she will give effect to my wishes. 1"
 "Well, l mustn't let you talk too much. Who are the witness es to be?n
 The butler, suppose, for one; and either the coachmau or the nurse must do for the other. There IS nobody else at hand. Please touch the bell"
 MT. Goulding did so, and the nurse entered.
 |" Send William here, please" said Mir. Mossop. "And is John about the place ?"
 " l don't know, sir; think saw him going out"
 "Well, if you can't find him, come back yourself; want you to witness my signature"
 The woman having departed on her errand, the old gentleman beckoned to Mir. Gsulding to come near, and spoke to him in whisper. though his voice had been little more than that during the interview.
 hope" he said, "that no question could arise-that there would be no fear of Peter Mossop disputing the will. They would never dare to say that I-that my mind was affected, mean F"
 "Not the least fear, my dear sir; you