Wichita eagle., 1889-02-02
THE TWO WILLS.
How a Lawyer Frustrated the
Plans Of a Designing Woman.

x
There was not q redeeming feature abou
it. II it had only rained there might have
been music in the drops; If it had showed
we could have Lived over " the beautiful
poem, but it did neither, and now late il
the afternoon the air was thick, damp va
por, and the street ankle deep with slust
and mud that an unpaved Western tow
supplies SO beautifully and readily.
Then again, the life of young attorney is
net always one whirl of excitement and
pleasurable results. Not living soul ex
cept boOtblRck-just as If we should ever
need bootblacks a gain-had entered the door
that day. In vain had | tried to give my
mind over to the ordinary statutes, and
then in despair sought the more inviting
stlmuiants OF Regina vs.. Reynolds; even
gossip of great leading case failed to IN
splre me, and wearily turned from my
books to my thoughts, and from my thoughts
TO my gloom.
It was Just then, before l had assembled
to the realms Of suicidal purpose - for /
walk that way slowly-that the door knob
hesitatingly, cautiously 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 diagnosis of just how fast
my heart was beating, if peradventure the
door would open, and somebody that was
somebody would come in. l could endure
the suspense no longer, and looked sQuarely
up. The door had opened, and, though the
evening shadows were gathered thick and
FAST L could see that my visitor was in
dress and manners lady-the most signif-
cant WORD ID the greatest of languages
Her vail concealed her face, but old or
young ugly or pretty, her thoughts proba-
bly, were: Here's a young man-very
young-he hasn't had much experience
don't think he ever did such work before
1t would help him, but that don't help me
] had better look''-
But l interrupted my own forebodings 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 spare to-
day-such dull day. Sit down." and nv
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
agltate would be childs play compared to
what had just passed through.
L had not yet so much as caught the color
OF her eyes, and couldn't but wonder why
she kept her vail drawn so closely-unless
she was medjtating a sudden fight to the
Office of the bald-headed wretch across the
way, who had few grey hairs and more
you know, but bad attack of
too, thank heaven, which
devoutly trusted was keeping him on so bad
q day as this.
81 want you to write will,'' she sudden
iy began, IN 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 welghty formalities of its publica-
ton.
at is to be my husba s WILL" she added
''He dare not come oIt on such a day as
this" and she shivered so prettily that |
was reconcIled with the weather for the
6rst time that day.
Hadn't better core to your house?" I
ventured to suggest
''Oh, no; not now," she answered with a
little sigh. 1T might excite him too much
But he may be better tonight, and | will
send the carriage for you then. 1t will not
make any difference, will it, about the will
being bindingr' And something told me
she was peering anxiously al me.
"Of course, madam, If he then fully and
adopts it as his, it is Just the
lips "
"Well, we want-he wants-to leave all
his real and personal property to ME, with
fun power as executrix-and | am to take
charge OF his only child, and make for her
such allowance as L shall think wise"
''W hat is your daughters manner"
"She Is not my daughter" she answered,
with the slightest token of gathering ami
nation in her voice.
"Ah, yes, just so,'' said l, nervously
with the paper "She's your step
daughter!''
tYes, SIR
What's her namet You see must men,
hon It"
"Mabel Cecil" she haltingly spoke.
"a deuced pretty name!' l remarked to
myself: II wonder why she wants to
stumble so over pronouncing itr And
then | tried 10 forget all about it as ] took
up my pen and began:
"l-l-Ah! pardon me, madam, but
what's your husbands namel''
What fools men are when a little excited,
young lawyers sitting up with an
early case!
Robert f. Cecil.n
II, Robert E. Cecil, of the county Of
Herkimer, State of -, do make and pub
ish this my last viii and testament:
". give, bcqueath and devise to my dearly
beloved wite''-
"Ah! pardon, madam, but what's your
,amef"
"Lucy l.. Cecil"
ITO my dearly beloved wife, Lucy L.
cecil, all my real and personal property Of .
whatsoever kind ana nature, after the paw
nent of all my Just debts; and [ hereby
commit to her guardianship my only child,
label Cecil, for whom there shall be made
uch allowance and maintenance as to my
beloved wife may seem 1T
"And l hereby appoint Lucy l.. Cecil my
ole executrix of this my last viii ana tesla
nent, hereby revoking all former wills by
ne made.
"In witness whereof have hereunto set
ny hand, this third day of November, A. D.
ST."
"a suppose you understand undertook
o explain, ''that this will vests all your
husbands property IN you, and 20 leave
our daughters allowances TO your 6iscre-
ion is 10 leave, at law, nothing in her own
light. The provision is, in short, meaning
ess, except that 1t shows that the testator
lad her in his mind when he made his viii,
ND so far makes it al the more binding"
Exactly" She spoke with animation.
: IL MS wlsh-and l shall see that you are
SeIi paid Tor your trouble and counsel-the
'arfiaee VIII ae here very soon" And she
Vas gone as quickly as she had come
Inc remark about payment had entered
very thread-bsre coat, and had struck
light home.
But IT'S too much, Sd the same. pay or
10 pay ! growled, ITO cut that girl off that
way without cent, But it's the old story
i can't helm ltP' and L sank back with