Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-09-27
TWO WILLS


a visit to one of his patients. 1t was
serious case-doubly so tor Brown-for
not only had his VIGOROUSLY sure diagnosis
failed him in this case, but the patient was
one of a family with which he had been
on an intimate footing for years, and con-
sequenty his personal interest was awak-
ened. The doctor saw no hope whatever
for the sick woman, Since early morning
he had hourly expected her death Weary
and dispirited after a light and hasty sup
per, he sat down at his writing-table. and
once more passed in review the whole
course Of his patients illness. Every cir
cumstanCe was recalled.
"Unaccountable! perfectly unaccounta-
blew he murmured over and over again,
and. with each repetition, he shook his
gray head.
doctor" Brown started up in alarm.
He had not dreamed that any one beside
himself was in the room. As he looked
up he saw lady standing by the door,
dressed in peculiar night-robe with only
light shawl thrown over it,
"My God What is that9'
1t was indeed the subject of his thoughts
Amazed beyond expression. Brown sprang
from his armchair and FASTENED toward
the intruder.
My dear madam Mrs Morley, in heav-
en- name, why are You here?'
"Never mind, doctor. Sit down and
write what l tell YOU
Brown mechanically obeyed the com
maud There was something in the look
and bearing of his visitor which forbade
contradiction. Strangely thrilled Brown
took mp his pen and wrote at her d'ctatiou
the following words, 81 hereby direct that.
i'm case OF my death, my body be opened,
and the cause OF my illness and tnai de-
mise bee officially and authortativeiy stat
ed by competent physician. ! am con-
WINGED that ] am poisoned. and that 10y
my own husband. and only through such
statement as the aforesaid will it bee put
ont OF his power 10 get possession Of the
property coming 10 nv only child, his
step-dauGhtcr. NV Will relating 20 this
property is in the hands OF my lawyer. Nj
Bait, in London MI. Bait is. as / have
unfortunately only lately discovered a
man omen TO bribery. and my husband
counts upon this characteristic for the at
tainment of his object: that is TO say, ne
hopes to induce this lawyer by pure fas-
ticatiou, to make the viii read in his favor
! believe he has already succeeded in doing
this. for when, yesterday. / desired to see
a lawyer of this town, in order TO have him
take down my last wishes. my husband
put every obstacle in the way of his com
ing. have put sealed copy of my will
in the double bottom of the little box
which stands always upon the table at my
bedside The ostensib.e contents of the
box are my daughters first cap and lock
OF my fathers hair
Dr. Brown had driven his pen as II mn
der the domination of a higher power. He
was not conscious OF having once lifted 10
from the paper TO the inkstaud. and yet
there stood the written characters, black
and clear, upon the white paper and re-
minded him that he was not alone: fur
thermore. that the head and heart whose
wish AMI request these characters recorded.
belonged TO an existence which held his
own being, thought and will in its power.
He made an heroic effort to gain the
mastery of himself. and with a powerful
shake. as if to free himself from the grasp
of this strange will he arose. MADAM.
L
"Yes, but, doctor, the master sent me
to tell you to come right away. Mrs. Nor
ley has been lying for two hours like dead,
and the master thinks it must be nearly
over with her
Brown staggered back in Amusement.
and stared so vacantly at the waiting
ID.
Jan? Where did you come from Mrs.
Morley is not yet
"Dead? No, doctor, not vet. but the
master saws she can't last much longer"
every well. \ on see to the horses. and
I'll come right away
DR.. Brown put his hands to his head.
He had need to convince himself bv some
such means of his own mortal existence.
Then he seized his hat and coat and hur-
ried after the cOachman
Drawing his coat tightly about him. he
leaned back in the corner of the carriage
and racked his brain over the strange oc-
currence, but to no purpose. The doctor
was a hard-headed. practical man, and if
any one had related to him the events of
the past day, he would have laughed him
to scorn: but, earnestly as he tried to do
so now, it was impossible for him TO con
lure mp a smile. The carriage stopped
and Mr.. Morley was al the door TO receive
him.
~ am glad you have come doctor.
was afraid you would be too late. As the
clock struck twelve, there was absolutely
no breath nor pulse, and not until half an
hour ago did she seem to come back lit
tie TO life She has lust asked for you
These words We're spoken outside the
sick-room door. The doctor laid aside his
coat and went in, followed by Mr. Morley
The physician felt something like a horror