The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-14


his severe eve. these Interruptions were
not seemly. will be to at once offer you
inspection Of the document, which, may
state is of an unusual character. - and he
looked at Augusta, who, poor girl, colored
to the eyes.
Quite so. quite so. said the learned
registrar. well, has Miss Smithers got
the willY Perhaps she will produce it,
"Miss Smithers Is the will, said Mr.
John Short.
"Oh-rm afraid that do not quite
understand -
ITO be more precise, sir, the will Is
tnttooed on Miss Smithers.
"Whatg" almost shouted the learned
doctor. literally bounding from his chair.
Tho will is tattO0ed upon Miss
Smithers' back" continued Mr.. John
Short, in 4 perfectly unmovcd tone, and
II is now my duty to offer you inspection
of the document, and to take your in.
structions as to how you propose TO file it
in the registry
inspection of the document-inspec-
tion of the document gasped the aston
ished doctor; good heavensl sir, am a
family man, with a reputation TO main
] tain"
Reputation, thought Eustace 10 him
self; after practicing for twenty years
in the divorce court he has the impudence
to say that he has a reputation What
next, | wonders"
Il must leave it to you, sir, said Mr.
John Short, regarding the learned regis
trars shrinking form with contempt not
unmixed with pity "Thc will is on the
ladys back, aud |, on behalf of the plain
tiff, meaf to get grant with the docu-
ment annexed"
Il say, Lady Holmhurst, said the doc
tor, aside to Lady Holmhurst. who was
nearest to him, forgive me for asking
such question, but-hum-ha-is IL
very low down."
Not very" said Lady Holmhurst, sol.
EMMY. though she was. as a matter Of
fact. almost bursting with laughter, for
ANYTHING more absurd than this learned
gentleman looked, intrenched as he was
behind his office chair, with peplexity
written Oh his face, it would be impossi-
bic TO imagine.
well, no said at length. Il suppose
that | must come To decision. IL is q
painful matter, very, 10 person OF mod
est temperament. However, | cannot
shrink from my duty and must face it"
"Old hypocrite, said Eustaee to him
self, with a snarl.
Therefore, he went on, with an air Of
judicial sternness, therefore, Miss Smith
ers. must trouble you TO show me your
back. There is a cupboard there, and
- Of
where you can make um-make the
necessary preparations.
"Oh, it isn't quito SO bad as that, said
Augusta, with sigh, as she began to re.
move her jacket.
Dear me" hc said, observing her
movement with alarm, II had better lock
the door suppose she is hardened, " he
continued 20 himself as he did so, but |
dare say that one gets used 10 this sort
Of thing upon desert islands
Meanwhile poor Augusta had got her
Jacket Off She was dressed in a rather
low evening dress, and had white silk
scarf over her shoulders This she re-
moved as the learned registrar returned.
ooh, " he said, Il see-in evening dress.
Well, of course, that is quite different
matter. Ladies need never wear anything
10 speak of in the evening And so that
Is the will-wcll | have hail some expert
oncc, but | never saw on heard OF any
thing like it before Signed and at
tested. but not dated. ALI, unless, he
added, "the date is lower down,
NO, said Augusta, there is 10 date.
I could not stand any more tattooing Il
was ell done at one sitting and l got
faint
II don't wonder at it. am sure. |
think it is the bravest thing ever heard
of" and ne bowed with much grace.
"Ah," muttered Eustace, hes begin
ming to pay compliments now, insidious
old rufiian.'
"Wen, went on the innocent and emf.
nently respectable object of his suspicious.
"of course the absence of a date does not
invalidate o Wilt is matter for proof,
that is all But there. am not in posi-
ton to give any opinion about the case.
it is quite beyond me and besides, that Is
not my business But now, Miss Smith
ers. as You have once put Yourself III the
custody of the registry in the capacity
of will, might | ask if you have any
suggestion to make as 10 how you are 10
be dealt with Obviously, you cannot lee
locked up with the other wills and
equally obviously it is against the rules
to allow will 20 go out Of the custody Of
the court, unless by especial permission
Of the court Also it is clear that | can
not put any restraint upon the liberty Of
the subject and order you TO remain with
me. Indeed, doubt if it would be posi-
bic to do so By any means short Of an act
Of parliament Under these circumstances
am. confess, little confused as TO
what course should be taken with refer
ence TO this important will. "
What have 10 suggest, sir, said Mr..
Short, sis that q certified copy Of the will
should be filed and that there should be
special paragraph inserted in the affidavit
OF scripts detailing the circumstances.
"Ah, said the learned doctor, polish
ing his eyeglasses. "you have given me
an idea. With Miss Smithers consent
we will file something better than u GER
titled copy of the will-we will file pho
tographic copy. The inconvenience to
Miss Smithers will be trihing, and it may
prevent questions being raised hereafter.
Have you any objections to that, my
dearl" asked Lady Holmhurst.
"Oh, 10, suppose not, said Augusta,
mournfully; Il seem to be public prop
erty now"
VERY well. then, excuse ne fer mo-
VI I