The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-17


Dear me, thOcht We would have had his
will, said Mrs. Crawford. "When / made my
will, though gudeness kens l hadna much to
leave, my lawyer, Mr.. Simpson, tel'd me that
il was usual for lawyers to keep their clients
wills"
so It is; but Mr.. Monkton liked to keep
his own, and his titles and other documents
also. But the will won't be difficult to find
for / have an idea where he kept il. will go
Off TO bed now. / shall see Miss Ashley in the
morning, and Mr. Henry Monkton, too, l sup
pose. lie has not been interfering in the house
in any way since he came, has her"
No; he has keepit himself very quiet. He
said We would look after things when we came
lie didna want to meddle wi onything."
81 am glad TO hear he is so peaceably inclined
You know the reason of his last quarrel with
his brother, dare say ;"
Deed do /. i ken that Henry Monk ton has
been a ne'crdo-well a his days, and that his
brother was aye far over guide TO him. He paid
his debts over and over again; and TO think
that after a, he would try TO rob his brother o.
his ain money behind his back. / reckon Mr..
Monkton caught him in the very act o helping
himself TO his money out o. the safe"
Yes; aud after that he ordered him out of
his house, which he should have done long be-
fore. But, rs you say, he was far too good TO
him. They have never spoken since. We're
you in the house when Henry Monkton ar
rived2 He did not come till tho afternoon, l
think you said 4"
No; ] was out when he came"
How is he looking? Does hoscem sorry at
hearing of his brothers death?"
He Was looking kind o. strange like,
thocht, and seemed kind o. startled when /
came into the room where he was. i don't
think he had heard me coming till | opened
the door. lie was civil enough, though /
dinna ken when / saw him behave sac weel.
But. of course he could scarcely act ony other
way and his brother lying corpse l. the
house"
Where is the bodyR In Mr.. Monkton's own
room?"
"Yes. Miss Ashleys Is next to IT. The
housekecper is sleeping wi her, in case she
should feel eerie. Young people are aye feared
for death, yer ken. Yer room is a. ready for
We, Mr.. Barnett"
Thank you. ! know my way, Mrs. Craw
ford" be said, taking the bedroom candle from
her hand as they stood together in the hall.
Good night l am sorry to have kept you up
so late on my account"
He went slowly up the stairs and along the
corridor toward the room he was wont to oc-
cupy on the occasions of his visits TO Moredun
House. As he passed the door of the room
where lay the dead body of his friend, so lately
instinct with life, q feeling of awe crept over
him. A stiffness as of the grave seemed TO
q strange
this which men call death
Next morning, when the solicitor came down
Stairs, he found Miss Ashley in the breakfast
room. She was slight, fair haired girl, with
a verympretiy face. She wore a dark-blue
morning gown. Her eyes looked heavy and
bore the traces OF recent tears. She greeted
Mr.. Barnett with outstretched hand.
"Oh, il is such a relief TO have you herei
she said. IL did not know what 10 do; and
M-e 4 frasv n hur nh, I
you. She would tell You that Henry Monkton
came yesterday afterpoon?"
Yes. ] expected 10 see him at break FAST
Is he not going to Appbar?"
do not know. He was up carly, and has
gone out somewhere, the housekeeper says But
We will not wait for him. Mrs. Crawford is
having breakfast in her room"
81 expected Henry Monkton would have
been trying 20 act the master here" said Mr.
Barnett, but Mrs. Crawford informs me he
has shown no disposition TO do so-that he has
left everything for me 10 arrange"
She told me so, too. He seems 10 have
altered for the better. We could scarcely
blame him even if be did assume the master
ship in the house; he is Mr.. Monkton's only
near relation"
yes but how did he behave toward him ?
Not as a brother should, certainly. Had been
In Monkton's place ! wond never have borne
with him SO long"
Uncle was very patient with him. ] be-
lieve he always looked on him as a nero boy,
who would grow wiser in time. And he was
only eight years younger than uncle, after all.
He must be somewhere about 49,
Mr. Barnett ate his breakfast in comparative
silence. De was debating within himself AS TO
the ACCESSIBILITY Of imparting to Miss Ashley
the terms of Mr. Monktons will at present or
Of leaving il till later. She had said nothing
on the subject, and. judging by appearances,
the thought Of the will or Of how she herself
might be concerned in IL did not seem 70 be
troubling her. Had she shown any signs Of
anxiety with regard 20 what she should do or
where she should go after the funeral Mr.
Barnett would have felt 10 his duty 70 tell her
she was amply provided for; but as il was. he
thought 10 better she should remain In igno-
rance in the meantime.
After breakfast Miss Ashley went up stairs.
Left alone, MT. Barnett decided that he would
wait until nc bad seen Henry Monkton before
beginning his work In the library, and went
out into the garden % smoke. lie was In the
fuil enjoyment Of his cigar when "a step coming
doYn the garden path caused him to turn round.
The conner was Mr. Henry Monkion, who held
out his hand with apparent frisndliness. He
was q tall. gallow-cOmp lex toned man, not bad.
looking, with a restless look in his black eyes
He had a mustache, but no beard. Saving in
his complexion and his restless looks, he had q
great resemblance 10 his dead brother
Tie solicitor took the offered hand and babe
him good morning in as friendly tone as lac
could muster.
9" i have 20 apologize for not appearing OF
breakfast" said Mr.. Monkton. " / had a head.
ache, aud went out 10 walk 10 of. am GOING
in now. ] believe you came last night2"
Yes. You were in bed, think. j saw nc
one save Mrs. Crawford"
She would keep you In talk at any rate
| How her tongue docs 20! never can max,
out half she Gays. Confound these poor rela
tions, always cropping up! Have you seer
| Miss Ashley this morningi She was not very
| well yesterday"
Il saw her at breakfast She has gone 10 hel
ro0m now. You would be sorry to hear Of you
| brothers deathT
Il have good reason 20 be sorry. A bette
! brother man never had. am afraid 4 was
| sore trouble 10 him. ] am glad, however tia
| our last quarrel WAS made up before he died
/ should never have forgiven myself other
| wise"
"T'heD you have seen him lately?" asked Nh
Barnett in surprise, which he did not attemp
1 70 hide"
81 saw him IN the city on Tuesday, AM
spoke 10 him. lie had been aC your Office III
was rather stern at first, but lie had always
warm side 10 ne, bad Us ] wasn
Mr. Barnett doubted Mr.. Monkton's state
mcnt very much, but did not tell him 30. II
only remarked: a" IL must DO a great comfor
10 you now as things have happened"
" Yes, IL is q comfort, as you cay. VIII 20
Je good enough t. have a look through M