Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-03-28
CHAPTER XilI.
oSE MTNuTE TOO LArK

II was two hours after midnight when
Captain Staroright and companion were
pshered into the sick room al Lone Hollow.
" How IS he'' questioned the Captain Of
the girl, who sat beside the couch
" be has been very restless, answered
Grace, ia a voice that evincel deep anxiety.
:" have brought something that may do
him good" and the Captain produced q
small bottle FROM an inner pocket, and
poured part of the contents into a glass
that stood on a stand at the bedside
The old man refused to touch H. however.
He glared at he Captains companion and
growled;
" A doctor a miserable lecch Did / not
tell you 1t was lawyer | wanted.
And l have brought ore. Allow me 10
introduce my friend Gripes, Mr. vandiblc
The sick man giared al the bald little
man who bobbed his head il recognition OF
the introduction. Mr. Gripes was thin to
attenuation. with projecting gray brows,
deep set ferret ewes, and wrinkled neck
and cheeks, the very persouification Of a
sharp attorney
He polished his hat with his elbow aud
stood ready 10 make himself useful.
The Captain glanced at Grace, then al tue
X .
who understood, ana walked from the room
with the assurance that she would be called
il her presence was needed.
Clearing his throat Lawyer Gripes as
sumed a seat at lie bedside, depos.ting his
hat under the medieine-stand and then said
in low. insinuatiug voice:
Il understand that You wisti some legal
papers drawn, Nj Nandiblc
II want viii made" returned the old
man. bluntly, and far from weakly
Exactly. exactly" rubbing his hands To-
gether rapidly II suppose you have de-
cided upon the terms of this will =
III have. ! leave every thing | have in
the world 20 my granddaughter, tiiace
Penroy."
Then It viii be comparatively short
process 10 make OUT the document.
The old LAWYER moved aside, drew some
tapers from ms pocket, together with pen
gnd ink, and was soon writing rapidly.
Al length touch on the shoulder caused
aim TO cease writing and look up. Captain
starbright stood at his elbow, The two ex-
changed glances. the lawyer nodded and
hen the Captain stepped aside
Now, as TO the terms OF This will =
questioned Seekmore Gripes.
rs 1t necessary 10 ennmerate the prop
srty 2"
mot unless you wish to bequeath part"
1T all goes to my granddaughter, to the
last farthing. ] told you that before, re-
torted the old man, in a yexed 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,
vla uudar HE Enagtasiae al old
man on the bed
"SOme 9th contingency Confound it.,
sir, you can write ont the document to
suit me you my go. I'll employ man nest
time Of some sense, will
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 il, sir. what to you
expect 10 happenin
Nothing out Of nature, yet you must re-
member that it is sometimes the unexpected
that does happen, II is customary IN will
ing property to provide for such con-
tinRency. 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 80 the
wishes or the testator."
Then Mr. Seellmone Gripes dropped mis-
pen to the paper once more for the purpose
Of continuing his writing.
"Stopl you're right cried Vandble, in
husky voice, his face growing suddenly
pale. "The ungrateful Martha shall never
inherit one cent, never cent, I say. Put
in another name in case of the contingency
you mentioned. put one in. Mr. Gripes.
"Welll"
Have you got it ini
II am waiting 10 hear the name
= Eli. Well, that's fact"
Morgan Nandible contracted ms Drows
AS IL 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 hi.
name. the Captains. he's good friend Z
me- good friend
s'Thank you, sir" said the Captain, with
his hand on his heart. -you a. me exceed
ing honor.
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
The pen of Seekmore Gripes was onca
more at work. Ia little time the impor
tsnt paper that was TO convey more than {
million dollars was completed. IL was Z
business-like document-the lawyer haG
drawn up scores Of them-and bequeatheC
all the Vandible property, real and personal
10 the testator's beloved granddaughter
Grsce Penroy. In case the glrl should az