Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-11-02
THE LOST WILL.
BY LEON WELDON.

sDust to dust. ashes to ashes the
words were being said over the cold and
lneless clay that once was Hiram Brad
bury, the aged proprietor OF Oaldands-
e wealthy bachelor, somewhat eccentric,
yet in life beloved 10y all who knew him
as public benefactcs Although hav-
lng no living relative but nephew,
save an adopted daughter, the mo,lrners
over his grave We're many.
The last sad rites performed, the vii
lagc people returned home, save a few
intimate friends. who adjourned to the
Bradbury residence to hear the reading
of the will. But little interest was
manifested in this, however. All ex-
pected, of course. that Albert Harris
would inherit the bulk of the property.
All was silent as the old family law
yer, wiping This spectac,es with the ut
ncat deiberation. rose to his feet and
proceeded to the breaking of the seal.
After the usual formalities of introduce
ton came the requests of the will.
II bequeath, read the old lawyer in
trembling voice, "to my beloved
daughter Alice all my property, both
personal and real"
A dead silence fell. Every one present
looked around i'll evident astonishment.
Then all eyes were turned in the direc-
tion of Albert. Despite his utmost eff,
forts to conceal the fact, his face clearly
betrayed his disappointment. Amidst
it all, Alice Bradbury was alone I'M
moved. The expression of her face
never changed, and she met the search
ing gaze of those assembled as though
she were q marble statue.
CALCULATIONS of disgust and disap-
pointment We're heard on every side as,
calmly folding the Objectionable paper,
3he old lawyer retnrnedit to his pocket
The will of Hiram Bradbury was natur-
ally nine days wonder in the village.
1t was welllsnown fact that when
Albert Harris was supposed to have been
lost at sea will had been made giving
all the property to Alice. but on the re-
turn Of Albert from his long voyage it
was supposed that the former will was
destroyed, and new one made in his
favor
Public opinion was very much against
little Alice Bradbury. Ii she would but
tell all she might tell, the knowing vii
layers explained, the lost will might be
found.
. Bradbury Hall aud it's surrounding
grounds, called QaklaDds, were turned
over into the possession of their new
owner. Right royalty did she rule; and,
as the proud posse~sor of Il million, we'll
might she hold hea royal sway
Lawyer Sparks looked through his
great hrass-rimned spectacles, and, with
knowing wink. made known the mo-
mentous fact that he would see to- that
her reign ahould be of short duration.
THAT his partner, long since dead, had
made second will, in which the prop
ertv was left to Albert, he was confident.
What had become Of it, was the only
guesti IL that puzzled his massive brain.
{ Like royal queen, dressed in her
deep rich mourning and tastefully be
decked with costly Jewels, Alice Brad
bury rolled along in her luxurious car
riage, while the rightful heir was. COM
PEELED to go on foot along the dusty
highways, not even noticed 10y the fair
nsurper.
A week had passed since the burial.
Albert was walking slowly along a
shaded by-patll which led past Brad
bury l.all. His thoughts, however, were
not OF it, nor of its owner what will
she say?" he asked of himself. "But
pshaw! What is the use of bothering
my brain aboutit. Nora would be true
to me, let come what would. Whether
you are rich OF poor, 1 will be your
vile, we're her words, and 1 would not
doubt her for worlds"
So he unused, as onward he went past
Bradbury Hall, and down the hill OF.
the other side. Could amy one blame
him if he cast regretful look at the
large possessions that he felt rightfully
BELONGED to him?
From the summit of the knoll on
which the Hall stood another elegant
Te:ide ce, at least equal to it in SPLEEN
dH, las visible. Ii was tllis That at
tIacte.' the eye Of Albert. A brisk
walk Of fifteen minutes brought him in
front Of Squire Vuughn's residence.
Casting his eyes about, he caught
light ofa familiar figure standing in the