Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-03-28

He'd sell his soul for pelf." Soon after the
Captain was on the road to Stonefield.
CHAPTER XIII.
ONE MINUTE TOO LATE.
1t was two hours after midnight when
Captain Starbright and companion were
ushered into the sick room at Lone Hollow
"How is he? questioned the Captain OF
the girl, who sat beside he couch.
He has been very restless" answered
Grace, in voice that evincei deep anxiety.
have brought something that may do
him good" and the Captain produced a
small bottle from an inner pocket, and
poured part of the contents into a glass
that stood on stand at the bedside.
The old man refused to touch it, however
He glared at the Captains companion and
growled: -
"a doctor-a miserable leechi Did not
tell you 1t was lawyer I wanted?"
And have brought one. Allow me to
introduce my friend Gripes, Mr.. Vandible."
/ The sick man glared 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 personifcation of .
sharp attorney.
He polished his hat with his elbow and
stood ready to make himself useful
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
il her presence was needed.
Clearing his throat Lawyer Gripes as
sumed q seat at the bedside, depositing his
| hat under the medicine stand, and then said
in low, insinuating voice:
81 understand that you wish some legal
papers drawn, Mr.. Vandible %
81 want q viii made" returned the old
man, bluntly, and far from weakly.
Exactly, exactly" rubbing his hands to-
gether rapidly. 81 suppose you have de-
cided upon the terms of this will 90
81 have. Ileave every thing I have in
tho world to my granddaughter. G, ace
Penroy."
.'rhen it will be q 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 p
questioned Seekmore Gripes. n
els it necessary to enumerate the prop
erty =,
'.Not unless you wish to bequeath part
ut al goes to my granddaughter, to the
last farthing. I told you that before,' re-
torted the old man, in q vexed tone.
Every good. Ahem-it seems to me that
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 good" answered Gripes, not the
least Disconnected by the rude language of
the invalid. 1t 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. It 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 then4evert 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.
"Stopi you're right" cried Vandible, in
pale s'.rhe ungrateful Martha shall never
inherit one cent, never q cent, say. Put
in another name in case OF the contingency
you mentioned; put one in, Mr.. Gripes."
"Wena"
"Have you got it ina"
81 am waiti1g to lear the name"
Eha " ell, that's q FACT
Morgan vRndible contracted his brows
as 1t in deep thought. Just then Captain
Starbright stepped into his vision. This
move at once gave the old man an idea
g Yes. yes, that's IL, - he whispered, SEEM
ing to grow weak suddenly. ssPut in his
name. the Captains, he's . good friend to
me- q good friend.''
s.Thank you, sir" said the Captain, with
his hand on his heart ssyou do me exceed
ing honor" -
Z Scratch, scratch, scratch.
The pen of Seekmore Gripes was once
more at work. In q little time the impor-
tant paper that was to convey more than .
million dollars was completed. It was .
business-like document-the lawyer had
drawn up scores Of them-and bequeathed
all the Vandlble property, zealand personal.
70 the testator's beloved granddaughter,
Grace Penroy. In case the girl should die
before coming Of age, yet two years away,
then the property was to 60 70 his well