The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-03-22

He has be.n very restless" answered
Grace, in q voice that evincei deep anxiety.
81 have brought something that may do
him good" and the Captain produced q
small bottle from an inner pocket, and
poured q part of the contents into glass
that stood on stand at the bedside.
The old man refused to touch 1t. however.
He glared at the Captains companion and
growled:
A doctor-a miserable leechi Did l not
tell you 1t was lawyer / wanted"
And have brought one. Allow me to
introduce my friend Gripes, Mr.. Vandible."
The sick man giared at the bald little
man who bobbed his head in recognition of
the introduction. Mr.. Gripes was thin to
attenuation, with projecting gray brows,
deep set ferret eyes, and wrinkled neck
and cheeks, the very personification of a
sharp attorney.
He polished his hat with his elbow and
stood ready to make himself useful.
The Captain glanced at Grace, then at the
old man on the bed. He nodded to the girl,
who understood, and walked from the room
with the assurance that she would be called
if her presence was needed.
Clearing his throat Lawyer Gripes as
hat under the medicine-stand, and then said
in low, insinuating voice:
81 understand that you wish some legal
papers drawn, Mr.. Vandible I"
II want will made" returned the old
man, biuntly, and far from weakly.
Exactly, exactly" rubbing his hands to-
cided upon the terms of this will ?'
-,
the world to my granddaughter, Gi ace
Penroy.'
"Then 1t will be comparatively short
process to make out the document"
The old lawyer moved aside, drew some
papers from his pocket, together with pen
and ink, and was soon writing rapidly.
At length touch on the shoulder caused
him to cease writing and look up. Captain
Starbright stood at his elbow. The two ex-
changed glances, the lawyer nodded, and
then the Captain stepped aside.
Snow, as to he terms Of this will ~
questioned Seekmore Gripes.
SIS it necessary to enumerate the prop
erty2'
"Not unless you wish to bequeath part"
at all goes to my granddaughter, to the
last farthing. told you that BEFORE" re-
torted the old man, in a vexed tone.
Every good. Ahem-it seems to me that
in certain contingency some other pro-
vision ought to be made" suggested the
lawyer, still holding his pen suspended,
glancing under his spectacles at the old
man on the bed.
"Some other contingency Confound it,
sir. if you can't write out the document to
suit me you may go. I'll employ man next
time of some sense, Twill"
"Very sooo, answered Gripes, not the
least Disconnected by the rude language of
the invalid. sit shall be as you say, only,
should any thing happen"
Happen! Confound it, sir, what do you
expect to happen!"
Nothing out of nature, yet you must re-
member that it is sometimes the unexpected
that does happen. 1t is customary IN will
ing property to provide for such con-
tingency. For instance, should this young
lady, your respected granddaughter, die
before this will is probated the property
would then revert to the legal heirs if any
existed, which might be contrary to the
wishes of the testator.'
Then Mr.. Seekmone Gripes dropped his
pen to the paper once more for the purpose
of continuing his writing.
"Stop! you're right cried vandible, in
a husky voice, his face growing suddenly
pale. "The ungratefuI Martha shall never
inherit one cent, never a cent, say. Put
in another name in case of the contingency
you mentioned; put one in, Mr.. Gripes.n
"Well!"
Shave you got it in!'
81 am waiting to hear the name"
"Ehs Well, that's fact"
L:
as if in deep thought. just then Captain
Starbright stepped into his vision. This
move at once gave the Old man an idea.
"Yes, yes, that's it, he whispered, seem
ing to grow weak suddenly. "Put in his
name, the Captains, he's good friend to
me, good friend.''
THANK you, SIR" said the Captain, with
his hand on his heart, ''you do me exceed
ing honor"
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
The pen of Seekmore Gripes was once
more at work In little time the impor-
tant paper that was to convey more than a
million dollars was completed. 1t was a
business like document-the lawyer had
drawn up scores of them-and bequeathed
all the Vandlble property, ZEALAND personal,
to the testatoTs beloved granddaughter,
before coming of age, yet two years away,
then the property was to go to his we'll
esteemed friend, Clinton Starbrlght, of
Stonetield. The reading seemed to suit
VaDdible There was one clause in the will
that the lawyer had neglected to read, a
most important clause. It was that Grace
Penroy was to forfeit the property if she
did not marry Captain Starbright.
f%ar =, -, A.
old mllllonaire's signature the will was laid
on book, Vandible propped up with pillows
and the document placed before HIM to
sign.
place your name right there, SIR" di-
rected Mr.. Grlpes, glibly, touching the de-
sired spot with his bony forefnger
The old mans hand trembled so that it
was with difficulty that he held the pen.
'I-Tm not just sure The witnesses"
ayes, yes, will call them the moment
you sign. The Captain will do for one.
Sign quickly Its all right" declared Lawyer
Gripes, in his smooth, glib way.
II suppose So feel bad, very bad" de-
something quickr'
Lawyer Gripes reached back and snatched
the glass into which the Captain had poured
a liquid some time before, and at once con-
veyed it to the lips Of the old man. He
swallowed the contents at a gulp, then re-
sumed his pen. He seemed strong, and his
hand ceased to shake.
cit all goes to Grace, ALL" he muttered,
the CHASTITY look deepening on his shrunken,
old face.
Eyes, yes, but sign" urged Mr.. Gripes.
The old millionaire carried his pen to the
paper, but his hand did not move to form the
signature. Instead he jerked it away
suddenly, as though q new thought had
entered his brain.
Z" No; will not sign. You must make q
new will