Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1895-05-16

''It 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 1t ready. You took 1t 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
ii was burned"
do you happen to remember what I
said to him then? l wish you'd try to-"
81 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.
mo, sir, nothing of the kind"
"What do you mean to insinuate?"
"I insinuate nothing 1 am so ap-
palled by what seems to me an outrage
upon the memory of a dead man and
the natural rights of living one that
am afraid to insinuate l am afraid
not to say, out and out, that / don't
believe he ever made another will
when sound in mind. And l say
further that /, who saw him from day
to day, never knew a 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 q 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 L
Amt you afraid to talk to me in that
way?'
upon her. She saw not ints-I;l -
but he saw into hers, and in them was
all the bravery with which innocence
when feeling the Almighty's presence
can withstand other might, however
strong, angry and threatening.
afraid to talk to you thus? Why I
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. It may be
His will that you be not hindered from
striking me. If SO, that will be donel
Many far better than | have suffered
such things, and harder But / dort
believe it. Would you know whyp
Not because of any manfulness in your
being that revolts at the indelible blot
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 humblyi
"I 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
I'd really like to know what you sus-
pect, and what you are going to do
about It."
II hardly know myself what I do
suspect. But nobody among those who
knew your father and brother can fall
to believe that there Is fraud some
where in the matter Of that will. AS
for me, whom you affect to chide for
disregard of your interests, / have
known, unavoidably and most un-
willingly, too much of your dealings
with mankind not to contemplate with
some sort of apprehension every new
increase of your possessions. In this
feeling ] say to you that do not be-
lieve your father ever made but one
will, and il the paper now In court Is
that, l think you know what 1 am
obliged to believe. AS for what am
going to do about 1t, / know not, ex-
cept to feel added thanks that my de-
parture from this life is near, and to
ask the Almighty to hasten 1t. You
know very well that my loyalty, slight
ed as it has been, insulted, beaten
down and trodden upon, is never going
to betray itself But hope you will
be led to understand the peril to which
you are exposed, and, for your own
sake, do something to avoid it. For
your sake, say, not mine, for there is
nothing which would be possible to
any endeavors you might make which
would separate my being from yours
farther than already it has been driven.
That you will make offers of some sort
of compromise with your brother
have little doubt; what will come of
them. But have been so prostrated
by this new trouble that I cannot say
any more"
Then she rose and retired to her
chamber. He sat and communed with
with himself for several hours.