Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-05-02

small bottle from an inner pocket, and
poured part of the contents into glass
that stood on a stand at the bedside.
The old man refused to touch it, however.
He glared at the Captains companion and
growled:
A doctor-a miserable leechl 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 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 personifcation of q
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.
sumed seat at the bedside, depositing his
hat under the medicine-stand and then said
in low, insinuating voice:
Il understand that you wish some legal
papers drawn, Mr.. Vandible az
Il want will made" returned the old
Exactly, exactly" rubbing his hands to
gether rapidly. II suppose you have de
cided upon the terms of this will !''
II have. leave every thing / have in
the world to my granddaughter, G, ace
Penroy.'
''Then 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 per
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.
"Now, as to he terms of this will ?''
questioned Scekmore Gripes.
SIS it necessary to enumerate the prop
erty ~
''Not unless you wish to bequeath part
sit all goes to my granddaughter, to the
last farthing. I 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 tc
suit me you may go. I'll employ a man next
time of some sense, Twill"
Every 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"
"HappenI Confound it, sir, what do you
expect to happena"
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 moro for the purpose
of continuing his writing.
"Stop! you're right" cried Vandible, in
q husky voice, his face growing suddenly
pale. "The ungrateful Martha shall never
inherit one cent, never a cent, say. Put
in another name in case of the contin gency
you mentioned; put one in, Mr.. Gripes."
"Wcu?"
"Have you got it inl"
81 am waiting to hear the name"
"Eh? Well, that's a fact"
Morgan Vandible contracted his,Sbrows
as if in deep thought Just then Captain
Starbright stepped into his vision. This
move at once gave the old man an idea.
Eyes. 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.''
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 q
million dollars was completed. 1t was a
business-like document-the lawyer had
drawn up scores of them-and bequeathed
all the Vandlble property, real and personal,
to 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 go to his we'll
esteemed friend, Clinton Starbrlght, of
Stonetield. The reading seemed to suit
Vapdible. There was one clause in the will
that the lawyer had neglected to read, a
Penroy was to forfeit the property if she
did not marry Captain Starbright.
After every thing was in readiness for the
old mllllonaire's signature the will was laid
on a book, Vandible propped up with pillows
and the document placed before HIM to
sign.
''Place your name right there, sir" di-
rected MIR. Grlpes, glibly, touching the de-
sired spot with his bony forefinger.
The old mans hand trembled so that it
was with difficulty that he held the pen.
''I-rm not just sure. The Witnesses
eyes, yes, l will call them the moment
you sign. The Captain will do for one.
Sign quickly,lt's all right" declared Lawyer
Gripes, in his smooth, glib way.
81 suppose So l feel bad, very bad," de-
clared the old man, huskily. "GIve me
something quickr'
Lawyer Gripes reached back and snatched
the glass into which the Captain had poured
liquid some time before, and at once con-
veyed it to 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" 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 jersed it away
suddenly, as though a new thought had
entered his brain.
mo; will not sign. You must make a
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 all
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. l loved that