Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-02-14
JUST BY CHANCE.

were drawing to n close together. The
rays of the setting sun stole into the
room where the dying man lay, and he
watched thom intcntly until they fad cd
away. lie knew he would never see
them again.
Death hal confronted the old lawyer
suddenly. His energies, overtaxod
through long life devoted to ccasclcss
money getting, hal collapsed in an in
slant almost, and left that which we
call life without the support necessary
for its further continuance.
''IIc cannot live through the night
probably the end is not more than n
few hours distant" the old family
physician hal said bat n few minutes
before, when the son who now sat by
his fathers bedside asked what the
chances were.
The son sat with bowed head His
features wcrc compose in an express
sion of dccorous grief; his hand, were
folded upon his lap, aud at almost rog-
nlar intervals he sighed. Hi h, raiscl
his head it would have appeared that there
was not the suspicion of ntcar in his
eyes, and that there fingered in their
depths look of quiet SATISFACTION
which the limos of sorrow that woifto ST
upon his face co:,.; lot On ttiiiretyy lido.
Pc'iap' the fact that he knew him
self to tc the solo hcirI 70 hisf fathcr's
wealth hal something to do with shap-
ing tho younger mans inner feelings.
Some hearts arc ruled by the desire for
personal gain rather than by affection.
''Robcrt.''
Scarcely above whisper the single
"ord came from the color.css lips of the
old man. Tho man ut tic bedside
started slightly, "A one who is suddenly
aroused from though, that ha, carried
him far away from present surround
ings. Then he turncl and answered:
eyes, father. what do you wishl"
al have lccn thinkn; of your
brother, Robert. fcnr that after all
should not have treated him rs did"
The old man paused, exhausted BIZ
the effort which the word, had cost
him. An Expression that was unpleas
ant to'cc fitted across the young mans
features but in an instant it was gone
again.
81 know that have but short time
to live, " resumed the cd man; "and
things appear TO me in different light.
1t was heartlcss in me 10 disinhcrit and
disown Jack because he marie accord.
ing to his own wishes Instead of my die
tates l shall change M: will; there is
enough for you both. + ca shall haze
half, and shall die h.ppicr."
"Ycs, father" The word, came
gently from the soa's lips; but the
look on his face would have surprised
the father conll he hav, seen it. But
the gloom was thickcning and his half
closed eyes did not see.
DRAW up the will as I wish it,
quickly while have yot tho strength
left me to sign" directed the dying
man.
Robert went TO table near by, lit n
gas jet and began to write, not at all
hastily.
"Why are you so long about it9 A
few words will certainly be enough"
impAticntly cxclaim ID the old man
after his son had been busy what
seemed to be very long time
81 shall be done directly. There, I
nm through" replied the son as he rose
and handed what he had written to his
father.
"That is right" was all the latter
said after he had read the will. Then
he took tho pen from his sons hand
and with great effort signed his name.
NOW sign as witness, and call
Hannah; she will do as the other wit
ness"
robert affixed his signature; then he
called the housckccpcr and sho also
| 'igned her name.
"Now go to my desk and take the
old will and burn it. You will find i,
in tho little drawer to the right"
Robert went to the desk, took fold
cd paper from the drawer indicated.
held it in the gas fame until it wa;
we'll ablaze and then threw it upon the
open fire. place where it lay moment
later charrcl mass.
''There; it is not so hard to di
now" whispered the dying man. 8.
feel that canno. live until Jack could
be sont for; but want you, Robert, t.
go to him this very night aud tell hin
that my heart was not steeled agains