Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-06-05

VI DOCKS, serving MIN as pillow, an0
rather sleepily regarded the deter
mined looking young man before him.
Whats up now?" he inquired with a
yawn ut is too beastly hot to stay
awake"
Cor to bawl as Ihave been doing for
the last five minutes. Hurry up, Hol-
lingsworth wants you Old party
with him. Put on your collar and
coat and smooth your bristles, for
heavens sake.
The bristles referred to were Toms
auburn locks. Refractory at best, his
late nap had rather increased their ten
dency to stand up. This self assertive
quality on their part had been the sor-
row oflTom's life. Long and valiently
had he labored to bring them in the
way they should go, but without per-
ceptible success. Now, between grumb-
lings over being disturbed in a dream,
at point where he was in the act Of
taking his seat as Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court, he applied che brush
with vigor born of determination to
conquer, and after some success he
donned his coat and entered the next
room.
This was small, not over cheerful.
and undeniably warm apartment. Its
furniture was remarkable neither for
quality nor quantity. The carpet, or
rather the apology for one, had seen
long and active service and had now
reached that point where pretentions
cease to avail, and bare reality obtrudes
itself beyond all evading.
Upon several low shelves were ar
ranged books, bundles of papers. and
tin boxes of various sizes. Evidently
the firm enjoyedIa fair share of business,
though money was not flowing in any
too fast, ii the room and its surround
ings might be taken as proof.
A middle-aged gentleman with a
shrewd, though not unpleasant, coun-
tenance, occupied chair at the untidy
desk, and close beside him sat an older
gentleman.
The latter glanced inquisitively at
Tom. Evidently he wished to sat-
isfy some preconceived opinion. "Ah,
Barton" remarked Hollingsworth, rails
ing his eyes from the papers before
him. I'VE have been waiting for YOU,
This is DR.. Edwards, an old friend of
Horizons. He comes from Oakdale."
am happy to meet you," said Tom,
cordially extending his hand. 81 have
been anxious for news from Oakdale.
presume you were with Horton at the
time of his death. have been in the
West for several weeks, returning only
yesterday to receive the sad intelli-
gence of my friends untimely end. 1t
was great shock to me. assure you, as
l left Horton in the best of health, APP
pareutly. [ fear Miss Bessie feels her
bereavement keenly."
"She is broken hearted" interposed
the doctor, with much feeling. "Quite
broken hearted. Poor child.
His step-daughter?" questioned
Hoilingsworth, looking up from all
absorbing train of thought. "Yes," put
in Tom. "Only step.daughter in
front of relationship, but his own child
in sentiment and affection. She in.
herits all his property, Of course"
This was less question, than an as
sertion, and Hollingsworth and the
doctor exchanged glances.
There is some trouble here, Tom, -
said the former running his hand
through a pile of books in the absent
manner peculiar to him, II thought
you might possibly help us. You drew
up Horizons will. You remember it,
dare say"
@As if it were yesterday. Horton
came to me and said"
Never mind what he said," inter.
rupted his senior, impatiently.
about the will. You haven't it?"
II? No. Horton was peculiar in
such matters. He kept it in his own
possession"
ut is unfortunate" unused Hollings-
wTtb.
leaving his chair, and approaching the
desk, with a perplexed air. @The will
can't.be lost"
1T is impossible" he continued, still
more grayely, as the doctor and Hol-
ingsworth nodded affirmatively. "Hor-
ton was far too careful to have mislaid
document so important to Miss Bes-
sizes interest It is in some safe place,
I am persuaded"
Perhaps" admitted the doctor, gain
ing some little encouragement from
TOMS air Of conviction. "We have