The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1889-01-18

ut was just then, before l had as
cended to the realms of suicidal pur-
pose-for / walk that way slowly
that the door knob hesitatingly, eau
tiously turned andI-was again hard
at work, pen in hand, with one eye on
the paper and the other on the door.
won't make a diagnosis of just
how hard my heart was beating, il
peradventure the door would open,
and somebody that was some
body shou Id come in. Icould
endure the suspense no longer, and
looked squarely up. The door had
opened, and, though the evening
shadows were gathering thick and
fast, l could see that my visitor was
in dress and manners q lady-the
most significant word in the great
est of languages. Her veil concealed
her face, but old OF young, ugly or
pretty, her thoughts probably were:
"Heres a young man-very young
but he hasn't had much experience
don't think he ever did such work be-
fore-it would help him, but that
don't help me-Ihad betterlook"--
But | interrupted my own fOrebod-
ings by springing to my feet with a
Good evening, madam. Step in;
I'm through with the matter in hand
"a little pressed now, with term
time upon us, but have an hour to
spare to-day-such a dull day. Sit
DOWN." and my first triumph was
won, for she vas seated.
Then l swept my books from me
with an air of relief, as if any prob
lem she might agitate would be
child's play compared to what | had
just passed through.
had not yet SO much as caught
the color Of her eyes, andcouldn't but
wonder why she kept her veil drawn
so closely-unless she smeditating'
n sudden flight to the office of the
bald headed wreath across the way,
who had a few gray hairs and more
experience, you know, but a bad at
tack of rheumatism too, thank heav-
en-, which l devoutly trusted was
keeping him home on SO bad a day
as this.
Il want you to write a WILL she
suddenly began, in a half hating
voice.
Certainly, madam" / answered,
nobly resolving to strengthen the
faith within her; and [ pulled half a
guire of legal cap towards me and
thought of the solemn opening and
the weighty formalities of its publ
cation.
"It is to be my husbands WILL"
she added. "He dare not come out
on such a day as this" and she shiy-
cred SO prettily that ] vas reconciled
with the weather for the first time
that day,
Hadn't I better come to your
house?" | ventured to suggest.
"Oh. mol not now" she answered,
with a little sigh. 1T might excite
him too much. But he may be bet
ter tonight, and | will send the car
riage for you then. 1t will! not make
any difference, will it, about the will
being binding?" And something
told me she was peering anxiously at
ME.
"Of course, madam, if he then fully
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
I am to take charge of his only child.
and make for her such allowance asI
shall think wise"
what is your daughters manner"
"She is not my daughter" she an
swered, with the slightest token Of
gathering animation in her voice.
"Ah, yes; just so," said l, nervous
ly fumbling with the paper. She's
your step daughter"
"Yes, sir"
whats her name? You see l must
mention it."
mabel Cecil" she haltingly spoke.
"a deuced pretty name!" [ re-
marked to myself. 81 wonder why
she wants to stumble so over pro-
nouncing it?" And then I tried to
forget all about it rs l took up my
pen and began: ''l-I-Ah! pardon
me: madam, but what's your hus-
bands name??"
What fools men are when q little
excited, especially young lawyers.
sitting up with an early case!
Robert E. Cecil"
81, RobertE E. Cecil. of the county of
Herkimer, and state -, do make
and publish this my last will and
testament:
Il give. bequeath and devise to my
dearly beloved wife,
"Ahl pardon, madam, but what's
your manner"
Lucy l.. Cecil"
"To my dearly beloved wife, Lucy
E. 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, Ma
bel Cecil, for whom there shall be
made such allowance and mainten-
ance as to my beloved wife may seem
it.
And ] hereby appoint Lucy L.