Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-28

A breathless and supplying silence
fell upon the company. In the dead
hush the sound of Polly Jenkinson's
piano PLAYED in a distant room could be
distinctly heard. With their vacant
eyes staring at him the speaker contin-
ued
THAT deed of gift have drawn mp
as he dictated it. L don't mind saying
that in the opinion of some be might be
declared non cOmpos upon the evidence
of that alone ! need not say how re-
lieved I am to find that your opinion
comedies with my own"
"But, gasped Father Felipe hurriedly
with a quick glance at the others, sit
does not follow that it will be necessary
to resort to these legal measures. Care,
counsel, persuasion"
"The gentle ministering of kinship-
nursing, q womans care, the instincts OF
Affection" piped Dona Maria in breath
less eagerness.
amy light social distraction, harm
less Irritation, a possible attachment"
suggested Don Carmen shyly.
"Change OF scene-active exercise
experiences-eyen as those you have re-
lated, " broke in Don Nincente.
81, for one, have ever been opposed
to legal measures" said Don Victor.
"a mere consultation of friends-in fact
q tete like this is sufficient"
"Good friends, said Father Felipe
who had by this time recovered himself,
taking out his snuff-box portentously,
sit would seem truly from the docu-
ment which this discreet cd6diiero has
spoken of, that the errors of our Don
Jose are rather Of method than intent,
and that while We may freely accept the
one"
Pardon" interrupted Colonel Par
ker, with bland persistence, "but L
must point out to you that what we call
in law a consideration Is necessary to the
legality of a conveyance, even though
that consideration be frivolous and cal
culated to impair the validity Of the
document.
Truly" returned the good Padre,
insinuatingly, but if discreet advo-
cate were to suggest the substitution of
some more pious and reasonable con-
slderation."
but that would be making it per-
fectly sane and gratuitous document
not only glaringly inconsistent with
your charges, my good friends, with
Don Jose's attitude towards you and his
fight from home, but open to the
gravest suspicion il law. In fact, its
apparent propriety in the face OF these
facts would imply improper influence. !"
The countenances OF the company fell.
The lawyers face, however, became still
more good-humored and sympathizing.
"Ihe case is simply this If in the
opinion OF Judge and jury, Don Jose
is declared insane. the document is
worthless except as proof OF that fact
or possible indication OF the undue in
fiuence of his relations which might
compel the court 80 select his guardians
and trustees elsewhere than among
Mem."
"Friend Aboqado," said Father
Felipe with extraordinary deliberatlon.
"the document thou has just described
so eloquently convinces me beyond all
doubt that Don Jose is not only perfect
ly sane but endowed with singular dis
cretion. / consider it as delicate and
high-spirited intimation to us, his friends
and kinsmen, Of his unalterable aud
logically Just devotion 10 his family and
religion, whatever may seem TO DO his
poetical and imaginative manner OF de-
claring it. think there is not one
here" continued the Padre, looking
around him impressiyely. "who is not