Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-12-27
Mr.. NELSON'S WILL.
III II. RIDER HAGGAhO.


that's why! Old? oh, yes; dare say he is
old. And, besides, just think! this learned
gentleman has practiced for twenty years
in the Divorce Court Now, ask you
what can you expect from a gentleman,
however learned, who has practiced for
twenty years in the Divorce Courts? l
know him, went on Eustace, vindictiyely
@I know him. He will fall in love with
you himself Why, he would be an old
duffer if he didn't
Really" said Augusta, bursting out
laughing; you are too ridiculous, Eus-
taco"
81 don't know about being ridiculous,
Augusta; but if you think I am going TO
let you be marched about by that learned
Doctor without my being there to look af-
ter you, you are mistaken. Why, of course
he would fall in love with you; nobody
could be near you for a couple of days
without doing So"
''Do you think so?" said Augusta, look
ing at him so sweetly that wave Of hap
piness passed through him.
Yes, do" he answered, and thus the
conversation came to an end and was not
resumed till dinner time.
On the following morning at eleven
O'clock, Eustace, who had managed TO get
a few days leave from his employers, ar
rived with Mr.. John Short to take Angus
ia and Lady administrative was going
to chaperon her-to Somerset House,
whittier, notwithstanding her objections
of the previous day, she had at last con-
sented to go.
Mr. Short was introduced, and much
impressed both the ladies by the eXtraor-
binary air of learning and command which
was stamped upon his countenance He
wanted to inspect the will at once; but
Augusta struck at this, saying that it
would be quite enough to have her shout
ders stared at once that day. With sigh
and q shake of the head at her unreason-
ableness Mr.. John Short submitted, and
then the carriage came round and they
were all driven off to Somerset House.
Presently they were there, and after
threading innumerable chilly passages
reached dismal room with an almanac,
dirty deal table, and few chairs in it,
wherein were cOngregated several solicit
tors clerks, waiting their turn to appear
before the Registrar. Here they waited
for half an hour or more, to Augustus
considerable discomfort for she soon found
that she was an object of curiosity
and closest attention to the solicitors
clerks, who never took their eyes off her.
Presently she discovered the reason, for
having remarkably quick ears, she over
heard one of the solicitors clerks, a callow
little man with yellow hair and an enor-
nous diamond pin whose appearance some
what reminded her of a new born chicken,
tell another, who was evidently of the
Jewish faith, that she (Augusta) was the
respondent in the famous divorce case of
and Voc CrniT 70 nnr
before the Registrar to submit herself to
cross-eXamination in some matter con-
nected with a grant of aIimony. Now, as
all London was talking about the alleged
iniquities of the Mrs Jones in question,
whose moral turpitude was only equaled
by her beauty, Augusta did not feel best
pleased, although she perceived that she
instantly became an object of heartfelt
admiration to the clerks.
Presently, however, somebody poked his
head through the door, which he opened
Just wide enough to admit it, and bawling
out
''Short, re Meeson," vanished us abrupt
ly as he had come
''Now; Lady Holmhurst, if you please"
said Mr. John Short, ''allow me to show
the way, ii you will kindly follow with
the will-this way please"
In another minute, the unfortunate
twill" found herself in large and lofty
room, at the top of which, with his back
to the light, sat most agreeable-looking
middle-aged gentleman, who, as they adj
vanced, rose with a poGteneSS that one
does not generally expect from officials on
a fixed salary, and bowling, asked them to
be seated.
swell, what can / do for YOU? Mr.-ahl
Mr."-and he put on his eyeglasses and re-
ferred to his notes-''AIr. Short-you wish
TO file will, | understand; and there are
peculiar circumstances of some sort in the
case?'
Eyes, sir; there are" said Mr.. John
Short with much meaning. 1.-THE will
to be filed in the Registry is the last true
will Of Jonathan MeesOn of Pompadour
Hall, in the county of Warwick, and the
property concerned amounts to about two
millions. Upon last motion day, the death
of Jonathan MeeSon, who was supposed to
have sunk in the Kangaroo, was allowed
to be presumed, and probate has been tax
en- out. AS matter of fact, however, the
said Jon athan Meeson, persisted in ker-
guelen Land some days after the ship
wreck, and before he died he duly executed
a fresh viii in favor of his nephew, Eus-
tace II, Meeson, the gentleman before you.
Miss Augusta Smithers-"
what" said the learned Registrar, els
this Miss Smithers, whom we have been
reading so much about lately-the Ker-
guelen Land heroine?"
Eyes; / am Miss Smithers," she said,
with a little blush, land this is Lady
Holmhurst, whose husband'-and she
checked herself.
Mo 4n 10
your acquaintance, Miss Smithers," said
the learned Doctor, courteously shaking
hands, and bowling to Lady Holmhurst-
proceedings which Eustace watched with
the jaundiced eye of suspicion. Hes be-
ginning already, the old viper" said
that ardent lover to himself Il knew
how it would be. Trust my Gus into his
custody?-never. had rather be commit
ted for contempt"
THE best thing that 1 can do, sir" went
on John Short, impatiently, for, to mis-
severe eye, these interruptions were not
seemly, twill be to at once offer you in
spection of the document, which, l 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 will? Perhaps she will produce it"
Miss Smithers is the WILL said Mr.
John Short
''Oh-I am afraid that do not quite I'M
derstand"
ITO be more precise, sir, the will is tat
tooed on Miss Smithers."
'sWhdt?'' almost shouted the learned
Doctor, literally bounding from his chair
'The will is tattooed upon Miss Smith