The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1894-08-01

edge your father destroyed, or tried to
destroy, and believed that he had de-
stroyed, the will made by him not long
after Cullen's marriage"
"Well, now, I'd like to know If when
a man has destroyed one will he can't
go to work and make another?"
Doubtless, But heard your father
say more than once that he had never
had but that one which he made when
he was in pet with Cullen for marry
ing Hannah"
"He simply forgot whas he'd done.
That's all that's in it. You know how
weak he got in his mind towards the
last"
II know nothing of that sort. On
the contrary, your fathers understand
ing, until within less than day be-
fore his death, seemed to me as clear
as ever it was. know. also that after
that temporary estrangement from
Cullen, which ought never to have
been, he was intensely fond both of
him and Hannah and of their child.
know further, Mr.. Amerson, and l
think you do also, that his wish and
his expectation were that Cullen should
have half of his estate"
"What l know" he said, in sup
pressed anger, land what's the busi-
ness of Cullen and everybody else to
know, is what he did by his will.
That's the way man generally let's
IL yhot ha ,tc will
his property when he's dead"
ut is most singular, to me it is in-
credible, that he should have de-
stroyed will and gone straightway to
make another like it, and then forgot
ten what he had done. AS for the
destruction, that was done one night
in our dining-room when your father
came in and demanded it from you,
saying that he had asked you that day
to have it ready. You took it from
your pocket and handed it to him. He
opened it, looked over it for some mo-
ments then threw it in the fire, where
! it was burned."'
"Do you happen to remember what l
said to him then? wish you'd try to-"
II remember well that you said you
were glad he had destroyed it, and you
added that he would never need to
make another, as you and Cullen, at
his death, could divide the estate your
selves without any expense of admin
istration."
"And yet, you see, he didn't act Upon
my advice"
81 see nothing of the kind"
"What!" he exclaimed, keeping still
low his voice, though its utterance be-
trayed intense anger.
"No, sir, nothing of the kind"
"What do you mean to insinuate?"
II insinuate nothing. l am SO ap-
palled by what seems to me an outrage
upon the memory Of dead man and
the natural rights of living one that
am afraid to insinuate. l am afraid
not to say, out and out, that l don't
believe he ever made another will
when sound in mind. And | say
further that l, who saw him from day
to day, never knew man who, down
to within less than twenty-four hours
of his death, more clearly comprehend
ed his relations to others and the
meaning of his words and actions"
He seemed to hesitate, but presently
cried, though not very loud:
"Well, if this isn't the unexpected
est, not to say foolishest and cussed-
est, piece of stuff ever knew or heard
of! There's the will in the court Of
ordinary that old Mr.. Flint, as re-
spectacle a man as is in Baldwin coun-
ty, swore he saw signed, and swore he
and the others witnessed it, and he
answered every single question was
put to him; and you, who know moth
ing about such things, and who don't
care, and never did care, for my inter
ests, although they're your own be-
sides, you take it upon yourself to call
! it an outrage, and insinuate that +
Amt you afraid to talk to me in that
wayp'
Then he rose and stood looking down
upon her. She saw not into his eyes,
but he saw into hers, and in them was
all the bravery with which innocence
when feeling the Almightys presence
can Withstand other might, however
strong, angry and threatening.
afraid to talk to you thusP Why
bless God for the fear have to talk to
you otherwise. Powerful as you are,
Wiley Amerson, and dangerous, you
cannot put upon me anything which
God may see fit to prevent. 1t may be
His will that you be not hindered from
striking me. If SO, that will be done'
Many far better than have suffered
such things, and harder. But don't
believe it. Would you know whyf
Not because of any manfulness in your
being that revolts at the indelible blot
that would be on your name, but be-
cause you know that my brother Gill
mer, when he heard it, would at first
sight of you shoot you down, Oh, no
Oh, no. In my thoughts of you ] have
many painful emotions, but never one
of personal fear"
Overcome, he resumed his chair, and
said, almost humbly:
81 didn't mean to threaten you, Julia
and you must know that nothing could
drive me to strike you. was only ex
cited because you seemed to suspect