Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1889-08-22
THE YELLED CLIENT.


neither, and now late in the afternoon
the air was thick, damp vapor, and
the street ankle deep with slush and
mud that an unpaved western town
supplies so bountifully and readily.
Then, again, the life of young at
torney Is not always one whirl of ex-
citement and pleasurable results. Not
a living soul except bootblack-just
as if we should ever need bootblacks
again-had entered the door that day.
In vain had l tried to give my mind
over to the ordinary statutes, and
then in despair sought the more invit-
ing stimulants of Regina VS.. Reynolds;
even the gossip of great leading case
failed to inspire me, and wearily |
turned from my books to my thoughts
and from my thoughts to my gloom.
1t was Just then, before | had as
cended to the realms of suicidal pur-
pose-for | walk that way slowly
that the door knob hesitatingly, eau
tiously turned and WAS again hard
at work, pen in hand, with one eye on
the paper and the other on the door.
won't make any diagnosis of just
how fast my heart was beating, if per-
adventure the door would open, and
somebody that was somebody should
come in. | could endure the suspense
no longer, and looked squarely up.
The door had opened, and, though the
evening shadows were gathered thick
and fast, could see that my visitor
was in dress and manners lady-the
most significant word in the greatest
of languages. Her veil concealed her
face, but old or young, ugly or pretty,
her thoughts probably were: Here's
young man-very young-he hasn't
had much experience-don't think he
ever did such work before-it would
help him, but that don't help mel
had better look"
But | interrupted my own forebod-
ing by springing to my feet with a
Good evening, madam. Step in; I'm
through with matter in hand-a little
pressed now, with term time upon us,
but have an hour to spend to-day
such dull day. Sit DOWN. and my
first triumph was won, for she was
seated.
Then / swept my books from me
with an air of relief, as if any problem
she might agitate would be child's play
compared with what l had just passed
through.
had not yet so much as caught the
color of her eyes, and couldn't but
wonder why she kept her veil drawn
so losely-unless she was meditating
sudden flight to the Office of the
bald-headed wretch across the way,
who had few grey heirs and more
axnor;onoo ,-o,, l,po,,, hut N loJ Of
tack of rheumatism, too, thank heaven,
which devoutly trusted was keeping
him on so bad a day as this.
81 want you to write a will she
suddenly began, in a half-halting
voice.
"Certainly, madam" | answered,
nobly resolving to strengthen the faith
within her; and pulled half quire of
legal cap toward me and thought of
the solemn opening and the weighty
formalities of its publication.
at is to be my husbands WILL" she
added. He dare not come out on
such day as this" and she shivered
so prettily that | was reconciled with
the weather for the first time that
day.
Hadn't better come to your houseP"
ventured to suggest.
"Oh, MOI not now," she answered,
with little sigh. at might excite him
too much. But he may be better to-
night, and l will send the carriage for
you then. 1t will not make any differ
ence, will it, about the will being bind
ingP" And something told me she
was peering anxiously at me.
.sl hn f,,11
and voluntarily adopts it as his, it is
just the same as if took it down from
his own lips"
"Well, we want-he wants-to leave
all his real and personal property to
me, with full power as eXecutrix-and
am to take charge of his only child,
and make her such allowance as shall
think wise"
"What is your daughters nameP"
"She is not my daughter" she ans
wered, with the slightest token of
gathering animation in her voice.
"Ah, yes; just so" said l nervously
fumbling with the paper. "She's your
step-daughterp"
"Yes, sir"
whats her nameP You see l must
mention it."
mabel Cecil" she haItingly spoke.
"a deuced pretty namel' | remark
ed to myself. l wonder why she wants
to stumble so over pronouncing itPh
And then tried to forget all about
it as took up my pen and began:
"I-I-Ah! Pardon me, madam, but
what's your husbands nameP"
What fools men are when little
excited, especially young lawyers sit
ting up with an early case!
"Robert E. Cecil.
al, Robert f. Cecil, of the county of
Herkimer, State of -, do make and
publish this my last will and testa-
ment:
81 give, bequeath, and devise to my
dearly beloved wife,
"Ah pardon, madam, but what's
your nameP
Lucy l.. Cecil"
ITO my dearly beloved wife, Lucy
l.. Cecil, all my real and personal
property of whatsoever kind and ma
ture, after the payment of all my just
debts; and | hereby commit to her
guardianship my only child, Mabel
Cecil, for whom there shall be made
such an allowance and maintenance as
NV beloved wife NAV seem fit