The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-04-17
THE ENTERPRISE, WEDNESDAY. APRIL r. 1889

esteemed friend, Clinton StarbriRht Of
Stoneheld. The reading seemed TO suit
vandlble. There was one clause in the will
that the lawyer had neglected TO read, q
most Important clause. Itwas that Grace
Penroy was 10 forfeit the property II she
did not marry Captain StarbrIght. (
A look from the Captain gave Mr. Seek
more Gripes bis cue. The two had talked
matters over before the present, and tho
scheming Captain had his plot we'll laid. He
believed Morgan Vandible was too nearly
blind TO note the truth, even should he
glance over the written page, and 30 he
felt comparatively safe. Two executors
were named, the Captain and Lawyer
Gripes.
After every thing was in readiness for the
old mlllonalre'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, slr,' di-
rected Mr.. Grlpes, glibly, touching the de-
sired spot with his bony forefnger.
The old mans hand trembled so that II
was with'difliculty that he held the pen.
W-Im not just sure The witnesses-''
eyes, 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 80. feel bad, very bad" de-
clared the old man, huskily. "Give me
something quickr sy.t.-
Lawyer Grlpes reached back and snatched
the glass into which the Captain had poured
q liquid some time before, and at once con.
veyed it 10 the lips OF the old man. He
swallowed the contents at gulp, then re-
sumed his pen. He seemed strong, and his
hand ceased TO shake.
sit all goes TO Grace, all,n he muttered
the ghastly look deepening on his shrunken
old face.
"Yes, yes, but sign,n urged Mr.. Gripes.
The old millionaire carried his pen 10 the
paper, but his hand did not move TO form the
signature. Instead he jerked 1t away
suddenly, as though new thought had
entered his brain.
"No; will not sign. You must make Q
! new will"
This announcement came like thunder
bolt TO the strained senses OF Captain Star
bright.
| "You are beside yourself, Mr.. Vandible,' '
said the Captain, stepping quickly TO The
bedside. "Would you deprive Grace OF oil
happiness by"
"No, no; you don't understand" inter
rupted the aged man. "Way back in Cali
fornia Is man that love he may be liY
ing. Reports are not reliable. loved thai
boy, though he almost broke my heart.n
"But he is dead"
"You do not know II, Captain"
"Iam willing TO swear that such is thG
fact l saw him die"
know; but you may have been mis-.
taken in the man. Karl must not be forgot
ten. Half my fortune is his.n
"But this is nonsense" declared the Cap
tain, IN q vexed tone.
"Put his name In there in place OF your
and I'll sign, not otherwIse,n decared thG
sick man, seeming 10 take on new peryerse
ness with growing weakness Of body.
"rll fix 1t; it's but the work OF a moment
said Mr.. Grlpes Giving the Captain know
ing glance, the lawyer removed the paper
and pretended 10 make some alterations
Then he returned 10 the bed and placed thI
will once more before the testator.
As Morgan Vandible raised his hand Il
place his name at the bottom OF the docu
ment swift change came 10 his shrunker
face. The ashen hue OF dissolution swep
overit
"I-I am blind, IL"
A gasp, md the aged head crowned with
its silver locks, fell forward; the pen fel
from nerveless fingers, imprintinga blael
stain where the name should have been, and
then all was still
HMv God the man IA dend ~