The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-04-06

lnexpllcable, inconceivable; something
which changed my feelings from astonish-
ment to terror-a terror which moved me
strongly to rush from the room to save
myself from some unknown danger.
ut is necessary that 1 sign the codicil
this minute" he said.
Although his voice sounded strange it
recalled me to myself AT any price, it
was imperative not to lose the occasion
thus presented. drew from my pocket
the document and spread it before Mr..
Brownlow.
''Wait one minute" stammered. "I
must go in quest Of witnesses. 1t is al
ways necessary to have witnesses"
''You will hasten" he replied. And
again his eyes met mine. / tried to avoid
that look. but when went out of the
room trembled from head to foot. Ones
on the stairway, laughed at my terrors,
and the card party Of Robinson's seemed
to me a very happy coincidence. Moth
ing simpler than to go to my neighbor and
ask two of the players to serve as witness
es. 1t was necessary that the codicil should
be executed first and after that, all legal
formalities having been observed, could
take leisure to inform myself how Mr..
Brownlow had been able to reach my
house.
Robinson and his friends uttered a "hur-
Eah!' on seeing me appear. was &C
quainted with the guests, and among them
were fortunately two lawyers, who had
some knowledge of the present case.
"Sorry to disturb you, gentlemen" i
said in explanation of my appearance, "but
two Of you will be SO kind as to step down
to my room, to serveGs Witnesses to a tes-
lament. Thomas and Hicks, my dear fell
lows, spare me moment of your valuabl
time"
The two gentlemen put down their cards
and were about to follow me, when sud-
denly thought came to my mind.
The case which called for their presence
was without precedent, since a sick man
had risen from his Nathbed to go and
have his will altered. If Mr.. Brownlow
should die tomorrow, or within few days,
the codicil of the will would certainly be
disputed, but there were nine persons as
sembled in the cardroom. What if should
take them all as witnessesS How could
such attestation be questioned2 There
fore, retracing my steps, said:
"On further reflection and in order to
avoid future litigation, l should be greatly
obliged if you would all come down"
"You can never take too many precau-
tions," said Hicks approvingly as the
guests of Robinson arose to follow me.
at is only old Brownlow," l heard
Thomas say as he entered my room.
ut is certainly he," added Hicks.
"Any one would say that the poor old gen.
tleman was at the point of death!'
held pen toward my client. In doing
so our hands met, and l shivered at the
icy touch. He signed his name with an
firm hand; his signature was
duly attested by Thomas and Hicks; the
Others assisted by looking very curiously
over their shoulders. Mr.. Brownlow sa-
luted these gentlemen, while again apol-
ogized for interrupting their play. Then
our numerous witnesses wished us good
evening and returned to their game. /
now cast my eyes toward the codicil, and
then turned toward my client to ask him
a question, but / was incapable of utter
ing single syllable when l met his gaze.
For second time noticed that same mys-
FERROUS, Understandable look which had so
strangely struck me, and I.trem bled like
a leaf.
ut is necessary that should return"
said Mr.. Brownlow, and he rose with pain
and as if by superhuman effort.
LET me call a cab for your" STAN
nered.
He shook his head and moved toward
The door, which he opened. Upon the
threshold he turned, and for the last time
1YaH hia aTau fol haIr
into an armchair, my heart beating as if
about to burst.
The clock struck midnight, and some
seconds after, not without great effort,
lose and went in search of my client But
'ne road led directly to his dwelling, and
ran over it as quickly as possible, but
net no one. Thinking that 1 must have
passed Mr.. Brownlow without seeing him,
retraced my steps, but in vain. Once
more took the road to Vine cottage
ang, and the door opened Immediately.
4 servant, her apron up to her eyes, was
standing at the door.
"Has Mr.. Brownlow returned?" l ask
ID. The young girl looked stupidity at me.
repeated my question, adding "that he
lad just gone from my house." She SEEM
ID not to comprehend, but said, 1.-THE
Master died at half past H..
Then l was crazy, or else had been
lreaming. Returning to my room, found |
hat Robinson's card party had not yet
'roken up.
The first thing did was to go to my
lesk. There, in perfect condition, lay the
odicil signed little before midnight.
1t can be easily understood that trouble
nsued when produced the codicil.
My late clients amiable daughters de-
Jared they should be happy on the day
hey saw me arrested for falsehood, con-
piracy and other atrocious crimes, to |
rove which they would gladly expend
heir last penny.
Happily, the executors of the testament
we're men of ability and honor, and they
Vouldnot permit suit lost in advance.
As for me, had nothing to hide, since
was clearly established that James
,rownlow had signed the codicil in pres