Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-12-30
A FORGOTTEN WILL.


the correspondence ON his office desk one
morning a letter bearing an Egyptian
postmarls. 1t turned out to be a COM
munication from a stranger, informing
him of the death in the Soudan Of Col.
Ernest Tremayno, and reminding the
lawyer that the will of tho deceased was
in his possession.
"Whittaker," said Mr.. Bold, looking
over his glasses at his confidential
clerk. who at that moment entered the
room, s'there is letter here-confound
the man, why can't he write plainly? !
can't decipher his name?-telling me OF
the death of Col. 1remayne. I don't
recollect such person"
"Iremayne Tremaynep repeated the
clerk. sit must be one Of the Tremaynes
of Newmarsh. There was cousin or
relative who came here once on business,
many years ago." added the invaluable
Whitaker, Frightening. "He was mixed
up In an awkward gambling transaction
and the young man had to leave his regt-
ment. He went abroad, and entered
some foreign service"
sob! yes, yes! recollect," interposed
Mr.. Bold. ''But that must be many
years back--ten or fifteen years"
Fifteen, at least" acquiesced Whitta-
ker
''How about his willP Have got it2'
asked Mr.. Bold
"Yes I'm pretty sure, now come (
think of it, that the will is in the tin bo
in the strong room, with the miscells
neous," said Whitaker.
The clerk left the room, in obedience
L.
for the document, while Mr.. Bold occu-
pied himself with the remainder of his
correspondence. After short interval
Whitaker returned with self-satisfied
air, carrying large sealed envelope in
his hand.
"Ahar' exclaimed Mr.. Bold, taking
possession of it and glancing at the in
scription upon it. ''Will of Mr.. Ernest
Tremayne, ehl Dated sixteen years ago.
Executor, Mr.. J. Rosseter."
''He was mixed up in that gambling
business, too" remarked Whitaker.
"He left the army, think, at the same
time. He is about town still-quite the
swell. I've seen him driving in the
park.
''Capt. Rosseter! OF course know the
man, exclaimed Mr.. Bold. ~ forget
what I've heard of him, but I fancy his
the executor, is he'''
81 think we had to sue him once, sir
not very long ago. a dishonored accept
ance.'
eyes, yes. To be sure. Oh! very
doubtful character-qute an adventurer,
in fact, said Mr.. Bold, looking more and
more scandalized.
81 wonder what the will says?' he ad-
ded.
Under the circumstances he felt no
scruple about opening tho envelope and
unfolding the will. After glancing at
its contents, he said aloud:
sHe appoints his friend, James Rosse-
ter, sole executor and trustee and guard
dan of his infant daughter. Everything
to the child"
"Not much of an executor and trus-
tee," observed the correct Whitaker,
disparagingly. GA nice sort of guardian
for q young lady"
"I'm afraid this is very serious, Whit
taker," said Mr.. Bold, looking perturbed.
~ had entirely forgotten about this will,
or would certainly have suggested to
the testator to make another. He made
it when quite u young mani recnllect
now his telling me his wife was just
dead-without sufficient reflection as to
the character of his friend. In those
uityS, Odllc Suy, IieTc WIS uOOllluS
against this young Mr. Rosseter"
Mr.. Bold pursed his lips ominousy as
he spoke. Whitaker, who seemed to
share his masters uneasiness, added:
mo doubt, having lived abroad SO
many years, the testator heard no rumors
about the captain.''
'It is probably another instance of that
fatal procrastination," said the lawyer
severely ~ dare say, If the truth were
known, he never intended the will to
stand. However, it can't be help 3D." he
concluded, with shrug of his should
ers. 81 am nearly certain that Overland
e. Co., OF Charing Cross were poor IRE
mayne's agents. You might take my
card and step down and see them, Whit
taker. Possibly they may know whether
there is any property, and where the
daughter is. You must also find out
Capt Rosseter's address, / must write
to him and ask him to CALL"
Mr.. Bold was one of those old fash
Toned, fussy, self-important practitioners
who are apt to assume sort of paternal
authority over their clients. He was in
clined to be pompous and patronizing.
But, on the other hand, he was extremely
honest and conscientious, and his main
idea was to promote the welfare of those
who consulted him. The unearthing Of
Col. Tremayne's will, which he had en-
tirely forgotten, vexed him q good deal,
for he accused himself of having neg
lected his clients interests in permitting
the. document to remain in its present
form. He had for some years past
heard rumors concerning Capt. Rosseter,
which he now considered he ought clearly
to have brought to the testators knowl-
edge. 1t was true that he was not per-
sonnlly acquainted with the captain, and
could not vouch for the accuracy of the
scandals that had come to his ears. But
he knew Capt Rosseter to be an impc
cunious gentleman, addicted to bettint
and gambling, club lounger, without
visible means of subsistence; loud
voiced, jovial, easy going, disspated
person, of type regarded by grave men
of business with horror and distrust.
The old lawyer fldgeted a good deal
during the day, nor was his uneasincsa
allayed by the report of his clerk OF hia
interview with Messrs. Overland & Co.,
the army agents. From these gentlemen
he had learned that Col. Trcmaync.h had
contrivcd to amass q considerable fortune
during his exile, and had RENTED home
for investment from time to time sums
amounting in the aggregate to nearly
eco, ,000 Whitaker could obtain no in
formation regarding the daughter Of tie
deceased man. Col. Tremayne's agents
recollected that they used at one time to
nay for the childs schooling at Rriphton.