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

at was evidently the old mans intention
to sign the vii" pursued Captain Star
bright
It was his first intention returned Mr.
Gripes, significantly
There is q million at stake, Mr. Gripes."
| The lawyer nodded.
| Just turn your back one momeutn
Seekmore Gripes did 80.
He heard the scratch, scratch Of q pen,
then the Captains voice: - :.
"See here. Mr.. Gripes." -.
The lawyer turned about and came for
ward, peering over the Captains shoulder
| at the paper now lying on the table. One
glance suficed to show that the viii bore in
proper place the name Of Morgan Vandible,
CHOW is thata'' ssGs Es.>.rssss5ss
"It looks fair" admitted the lawyer.
ut g fair. have only carried out the
| old mans wishes" - 90
| "His first intentions, certainly.p {.
"Well, first intentions are the best oues,n
asserted Captain starbright 81 want you
| to take possession OF the viii, Mr.. Gripes,
and bring it forward at the proper time" .
There are no witnesses as yet"
sTrue; that important part must not be
forgotten. Win it do for me to sign as
oner'
| sIf no contest is made there might be NO
objection" returned the lawyer.
L
one living direct heir, and she is willing and
anxious for such o disposition of the proper
| ty as this viii DEGREES"
| Then the Captain signed the paper as
witness. Mr.. Gripes noticed that he wrote
| the name 'tClinton Brandon"
ssMy middle name," explained the wilv
| Captain. ssShould it be necessary, could
deny that it was me that signed. Isn't that
propera"
POSSIBLY"
| Seekmore Gripes was man Of few words.
| and he was not lavish Of them on the pres
emit OCCASION. It might be that he did not
wish to fully commit himself to the power
of Captain Starbright. He was willy and
keen, and was seldom caught mapping.
eff another witness is necessary you
win furnish one, Mr.. Gripesr'
ssPerhaps.''
| .tsRemember, there is million at stake. ,,
| A gaunt smile twltched for an instant at
the thin, wrlnkled lips Of the old lawyer
He made no reply, but folded and thrust the
| forged will into an inner pocket.
Day was beg1nn;SS outside, and the
weazen-faced old man prepared 70 de-
part. ..sI
1--WE win meet you after the funeral.
Mr.. Grpes."
Probably"
s'Every thing seems satisfactory. I Bid
you good-day for now"
After pressing Lawyer Gripes' hand the
Captain showed him to the door. The
lawyers horse stood at the gate, waiting
his masters return with no little 1mpa-
| thence, manifested by paving and an oc-
casional whinny.
| It was not until after day-dawn that the
death Of old Mr.. Vandible was made known
| to all the inmates Of Lone Hollow. Mrs.
Penroy manifested more feeling than Cap
| tain Starbright believed her capable. Grace
4 L.
one. ettf as.
Sam was dispatched to Stonefield with
orders for the undertaken, who arrived at
the house soon after noon with hand
some casket Preparations were at once
made for the funeral, it not being deemed
necessary to hold an inquest. since there
seemed nothing strange in Mr.. Vandible's
sudden death, his age being nearly eighty.
The funeral was plain affair, the re-
mains Of the old millionaire being laid to
rest beside the only other grave on the
premises, that of his late wife, who had
preceded him to the better land several
years. Her body had been removed to its
present place only few years before from
the city cemetery, 1t the wish OF the old
| millionaire, who had strangely declared his
wish to sleep in this spot far removed from
| the turmoil of the world. 9s
Seekmore Gripes sat in his room at his
clearinghouse Che was bacheior) eagerly
scanning legal document, no less a paper
than the last win and testament of Morgan
Vandible. It was q week subsequent to the
funeral of the old millionaire.
The window was open, and q breath Of
fresh night air famed the withered cheek
OF the acute lawyer.
He seemed satisfied with his scrutiny
just as q rap announced q visitor. Laying
down the paper, Mr.. Gripes crossed the
| carpeted floor and admitted Captain Star
bright. =
During this brief moment q hand shot
from the outer darkness through the open
window, and quickly removed the paper
from the narrow table.
81 come, as you have doubtless guessed
to speak Of the will
Certainly, Captain. Here it is"
Crossing to the table Mr.. Gripes put ont
his hand, and then, glancing sharply about,
uttered a low cry.
What is it now, Seekmore2'' queried the
Captain, quickly.
The willr' cried the lawyer. cit laid
on that table a moment since, and now it is
gone!''