Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-09-07
"whr. 70 Mr.. Maynnrd.s wIn.o

"Had you then discovered for the first
time that he had made this will?"
"Oh. mol / knew his intention In re-
gard 10 the matter long before this
| Mr.. Maynard told me plainly what he
intended 10 do, and was present when
the will was drawn. There was no Sc
cret made Of IL, assure you. The pa
| for was only too anxious for me 10 know
what had been determined upon, that
he might triumph in my discontinue"
Her dark eyes flashed as she spoke,
and n tiny spot OF scarlet glowed in her
checks; but her tones did not vary for
an instant from their cool sweetness
nor her manner from its gracious re-
pose.
danger signnls-the domestic slSelc-
ton at handl" thought North, ruefully;
nevertheless he did not swerve one de-
gree from his perilous investigations.
at may not be considered important,
or directly bearing on our case" he OBJ
served in "A meditative way as he glanced
up at Mrs. Maynard over his notes,
"stlll, II the inquiry were carried on In
court, apprehend that all these collat-
cral questions would be raised, and IL
| may bt IN NtlA III iA' w wv AiAblbhkhll
informed ON this point. VIII you please
state briefly what were the conditions
Of that will? I will note them down as
you proceed"
"The document itself was very brief
and 10 the point. with the exception
Of certain income to be paid annually
10 me so long as | remained n widow
and continued 10 reside under this roof
two distinctly tyrannical conditions
which must be complied with, both and
scvcrally, otherwise so far as Mr.. May
nard's wealth was concerned, should
be left pcnnilcss-with the exception OF
this conditionally granted income, in
consideration Of which my right Of
dover was set aside, all OF Mr.. May
nnrl's large fortune was willcd TO his
relatives Think Of II, Mr.. North, such
a sweeping disregard Of my rights"
The undercurrent of Indignation rip
Piled the calm surface now just for an
instant as these words were warmly ut
tered.
"Prcpostcrous" declared North, as he
made few brief dashcs In his note
book while in his mind a very trivial
question kept repeating itself; "Why
does she sometimes call him Mr.. May
nard' and sometimes the major2'"
"And this. you Soc" continued Mrs.
Maynard, delicate satire In her tones,
"Nyas the sympathy that Mrs. Dunlsirl,
offered me: Mr. Maynard used his own
discretion in the matter, and his right
TO do so no one can dispute 1t was not
entirely his own discretion, as very
well know"
"Ahl then there was undue influence
exertcd 10 induce him to make this will9"
inquired North, quickly; thinking with
the unconscious professional instinct
that no legal point, however slight or
cxtraneous, ever eluded: "lf that were
proven, his will eau easily be set aside,
when the time comes. | wonder II this
has never occurred to hero"
Remember, | have no proof of this,
Mr., North" Mrs. Maynard said, slowly,
rs II answering his very thoughts.
Nevertheless, | am convinced that he
was Influenced 10 my disadvantage.
However, this Is n DEPRESSION. My un.
happy differences with Mr.. Maynard
are not at present under discussion, |
believe"
|
ton as he listened to this direct nllusion
to the tragedy of Mrs. Maynards do
nestle life; but he smiled as composedly
rs II her last remark had been the
merest commonplace, and proceeded
with his inquiries.
Mrs. Dunlirk's letter, then, so far
as have cited IL, refers TO this will, Of
which YOU had written her, and TO your
comments on itP'
Yes; that Is ALL"
And now" continued North, 1--WE
come to this terrible arraignment, on n
charge TO which many Of us, fear,
would have to plead guilty; You were
always over fond of money Can IL be
possible, Mrs. Maynard, that anything
ever occurred In the course Of your long
acquaintance with Mrs Dunlirk that
would Justify her in suspecting you of
being the least particle mercenary In
your disposition?'
Mrs. Maynard CHANGING up In surprise
and encountcrng an extremely quiz
> lical expression in the keen gray eyes
that were regarding her so intcntly
hesitated for an instant, evidently un.
able to perceive the drift of North's in.
lHhAlgs lhti hAt ntiAaAt nllthhlllk HlbNll
as II still specializing on his motives;
: 81 cannot say, Mr. North, that ever
|, consciously did anything TO warrant
' Mrs DunlSirk in forming such a conclu-
sion. She was rather given to hasty
judgments, and she chung TO her opin.
|. ions with great tenacity. She knew, OF
, course, that looked upon wealth ms
= one of the good things OF this life,
= which should be glad to possess, Il
: not that n natural and proper wish?"
y "oh, entirely sol | myself sympa-
. thize with II very profoundly, as you
: are doubtless aware. But did you ever
{, give Mrs, DunlSirk any reason TO sup
4 pose that you wished, hoped or eX
', pected TO be made her heir?"
o would not such wish, hope or eN
|, pcctation be perfectly natural in view
!. Of the fact that she had actually made
n her will in my favor?-ahl' she added
;. quickly as North's eyebrows were again
a raised, 81 forgot the prerogatiyes, just
! for the moment. Well, then, yes, Mr.
/, North; she knew that had some sucl
, expectation. She herself intimated L
10 me several times that she might max,
me her heir"
A. Glow far back does your persona
, acquaintance with Mrs DunlSirlt cX
.. tend, Mrs. Maynard9' inquired Nortl
abruptly.
The apg,vpr carna s1otulv oFtar nm 1,