Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-12-28
JUST By CHANCE.

hour distant, the old family physician
had uaid but few minutes before uhei
the son who now sat by his fathers bed
side asked what the chances wers.
The son sat with bowed head. Hi
features were composed in an expression
Of decorous grief; his hands were foldeC
upon his lap. and at almost regular inter
walls he sighed. Had he raised his head
It would have appeared that there wa
not the suspicion Of a tear in his eyes, ant
that there fingered in thsir depths q lool
Of quiet satisfaction which the lines Of
scrrow that were set upon his face coulC
not entirely hide.
Perhaps the fact that he knew himself
TO b the sole heir to his fathers wealth
had something to do with shaping the
younger mans inner feelings. Some
hearts are ruled by the desire for persona
gain rather than by affection.
Robert.
Scarcely above . whisper the single
word came from the colorlsss lips OF the
old man. The man At the bedside started
slightly, a. one who is suddenly aroused
from thought that has carried him far
away from present surroundings Then
he turned and answered: Yes. father
what do you wish?
Il have been thinking Of your brother
Robert. fear that after all l should
not have treated him as did"
The old man paused, exhausted BY the
effort which the words had cost him.
Anexpression that was unpleasant to see
fitted across the younger mans features
but in an instant it WAS gone again.
II know that have but q short time
to live" resumed the old man, land
things appear to me in different light
It WAS heartless in me to disinherit and
dksown Jack because he married accord
ing to his own wishes instead Of my die
tates. l shall change my will; there i,
enough for you both. Each shall have
half, and shall die happier"
Yes, father" The words came gently
from the sons lips. but the look on hi.
face would have surprised the father
could he have seen it. But the gloon
was thickening and his half closed eye
did not see
Draw up the will Us wish it. quickly
while have yet the strength left me t
sign" directed the dying man.
Robert went to a table near by, Lit {
gas jet and began to write, not At al
hastily.
why are you 30 long about it, A few
words will certainly be enough" impa
tiently exclaimed the old man after tn.
son had been busy what seemed to be ,
very long time
Il shall be done directly. There.
AN through" replied the son. a. he ros.
and handed what he had written to hi
father.
THAT is right was all the latter sale
after he had read the will. Then he tool
the pen from his sons hand and with 1
great effort signed his name.
Now sign A. n witness. and call Han
nah; she will do az the other witness"
Robert affixed his signature: then h.
called the housekeeper and she alst
signed her name.
Now 60 to my desk and take the OLD
will and burn it, You will find it in tn,
little drawer to the right"
Robert went to the desk, took folded
paper from the drawer indicated, held il
In the gas fame until it was well ablaz.
AID threw it upon the open fireplace
where It lay . moment later = charreG
mas.
There; it is not 20 hard to die now,
whispered the dying man. Il feel thai
I cannot live Until Jack could be sent for
bat I want you. Robert. to go to him thii
very night and tell him that my hear,
was not steeled against him to the end
Tell him Of the will which,
Isaac Rawson ceased speaking and lay
motioniesa- He was dead.
1t II not yet midnight when Rober'
steps aboard train that will take him
to the city where his brother. Jack. lives
for has not his father with his dying
breath told him to go to his brother THU
very night, Who would fail to respect
the last wishes Of one now dead? Surely
not son.
The city where Jack lives 10 not IA.
distant: but there IL . river 10 cross or
the way. As the train rumbles slowly
across the bridge, Robert pauses in thu
task Of trimming his finger nails In which
he Is apparently deeply engrossed, and
looks out Of the window down upon the
dark waters below In which the stars,
reflected, CLEAN.
A thought Gomez to him. which
though spontaneous In itself is but the
elimination Of What has been passing in
his mind ever since his fathers death.
He takes from his breast poke: folded
paper on which the writing 10 but few
hours old This he wraps about the
handle Of the knife he holds in his hand
Then he shuts the blade 20 that the paper
10 held firmly With . careless move.
ment he lays the hand holding the knife
upon the edge Of the window. When he
withdraws the hand moment later 1t ID
empty. The knife is . heavy one and
will 60 straight to the bottom, and with
1t the paper wrapped about it. The
waters often give up their dead, but in
animate objects of value they hold with
in their depths
1t Il a week later. The will Of Isaac
RAwson is to be read in the presence OF
those interested. 1t is . mere formalify
Of course, for other than his two sons the
testator left no kin. The sons both know
what they will hear. Robert ~ least
knows. and Jack may surmise. And
yet, who knows what may happen dur
ing the few hours that must elapse before
the will isopened and read?
You are early. Mr.. Drew will not
Be here for half An hour yet" are Rob
ert's drst words to his brother Jack -
the latter enters the house OF which Roo
ert already considers himself the sole
owner
Il thought 1t best to have few words
with you before Mr.. Drew arrives" Is
Jack's reply. Mr.. Drew Is the lawyer to
whom the necessary legal transactions in
connection with the will have been en-
trusted
"You told me that father had said
something about . new viii Just before
b died; but that none but the old one.
made fifteen years ago. could b found,
Remarks Jack TO his brother when they
are seated . moment later The remark
4 made with an interrogative infection
- thas Robert fsels impsllsd 70 reply