The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-04-17

70 sign Jno Will purouVu OoP"n pVAa'
bright
ut was his first intention" returned Mr..
Grlpes, significantly.
nThere is a million at stake, Mr.. Gripes."
The lawyer nodded.
nJust turn your back one moment"
Seelmore Gripes did go.
He heard the scratch, scratch Of 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 sufiiced TO show that the will bore In
proper place the name Of Morgan Vandible.
Chow is thatl"
at looks fair,r admitted the lawyer.
nItts fair. l have only carried out the
old mans wishes.n
aHis first Intentions, certainly"
"Well, first intentions are the best
asserted Captain Starbright 81 want you
to take possession OF the will, Mr.. Gripes,
and bring IL forward at the proper time"
"rhere are no witnesses as yet"
~rrue; that important part must not be
forgotten. viii it do for me to sign rs
oneP m st
objection" returned the lawyer.
"Ihaven't any fear of that. There is only
one living direct heir, and sheis willing and
anxious for such o disposition Of the proper
ty as this will decrees."
Then the Captain signed the paper as q
witness. Mr.. Gripes noticed that he wrote
the name "Clinton Brandon"
"My middle name" explained the willy
Captain. ''Should it be necessary, / could
deny that it was me that signed Isn't that
propcrW
Possibly
Seekmore Gripes was man OF few words,
| and he was not lavish OF them on the pres.
ent occasion. II might be that he did not
wish TO fully commit himself 70 the power
Of Captain Starbright. He was willy and
keen, and was seldom caught mapping.
"If another witness is necessary you
will furnish one, Mr.. Gripesp'
"Perhaps."
"Remember, there Is q million at stake" I"
A gaunt smile twltched for an instant at
the thin, wrinliled lips OF the old lawyer.
| He made no reply, but folded aud thrust the
forged will into an inner pocket.
Day was beginning outside, and the
|
part.
"We will meet you after the funeral,
| Mr.. Gripes."
"Probably."
"Every thing seems satisfactory. | bid
you good-day for now"
After pressing Lawyer Gripes hand the
| Captain showed him 10 the door. The
I lawyers horse stood at the gate, waiting
his masters return with no little impa-
tience, manifested by paving and an oc'
casonal whinny.
II was not until after day-dawn that the
death OF old Mr.. Vandible was made known
10 all the inmates OF Lone Hollow Mrs.
Penroy manifested more feeling than Cap
tain Starbright beheyed her capable. Grace
retired 10 her room and refused TO SEQ any
one.
Sam was dispatched 10 Stoneheld with
orders for the undertaken, who arrived at
the house soon after noou with a hand
somo casket Preparations were at once
made for the funeral, II not being deemed
necessary 10 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 u
rest beside the only other grave on tht
premises, that OF his late wife, who haG
| preceded him 10 the bettor land sesera
years. Hefkpody had been removed TO II.
present place only few years before from
the city cemetery, at the wish OF the old
millionaire, who had strangely declared his
wish 10 sleep In this spot far removed from
the turmoil Of the world.
Seekmore Gripes sat in his room at his
| clearinghouse Che was q bachelorj eagerly
scanning legal document, no less q paper
than the last will and testament Of Morgan
Vandible. 1t was week subsequent TO the
funeral Of the old millionaire.
The window was open, and a breath o.
fresh night air famed the withered cheel
OF the acute lawyer.
He seemed satisfied with his scrutiny
just as rap announced q visitor. Laying
down the paper, Mr.. Gripes crossed the
carpeted floor and admitted Captain Star
bright.
During this brief moment @ hand shot
from the outer darkness through the oper
window, and quickly removed the paper
from the narrow table
al come, as you have doubtless guessed
70 speak Of the will
"Certainly, Captain. Here II is.n
Crossing to the table Mr.. Gripes put ou
his hand, and then, glancing sharply about
uttered low cry.
"What is it now, SeelSmoref' queried tht
Captain, quickly.
"The wiillr cried the lawyer. "It laiC
on that table moment since, and now II Il
gone."
| fro M CONTINUED