The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1896-02-08
AN UNSIGNED WILL.

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grim old woman who opened tho door.
IL don't know Better see yourself
I'm no doctor" was the rough reply.
The room was low and mean, but tho
woman who lay ON the bed struggling
with death had a coquettish air that
clashed with her age. Perhaps IL camo
from the real lace on her nightcap, per
haps from the valcnciennes that cncir-
cled her shrivelcd brown throat. or
maybe the golden fringe. which, too
young for tho shrunken face. gave IL to
her
"Amaryllis, said tho surly woman.
here's the doctor. "
The humble country practitioner step
ped forward, and even in the dim lamp
light could be seen tho flannel cuffs.
hiatus Of gray stocking between old
trousers and clumsy boots. frayed linen
twofold collar. silver watch chain and
greasy, ready made tic that betrayed tho
small local practice.
"Amarylls, wake mp, wake up Doc
tors here. God knows you've called
enough for him. 4"
The woman on the bed. whose name
seemed jest, opened her heavy. Vague
eyes, coughed family and goaned.
us IL DR.. Watson. JanetY" she asked
"Of course There's none other for
miles, was the testy reply.
DIR. Watson went through the orthodox
farce OF feeling pulse and taking temper
ature, but SAW mt glance that she was
mt the last wbirl in her dance OF death.
Has she made her will?' he asked
softly
However, Amaryllis caught the words,
and In n cracked scream Of excitement
said:
THAT'S 10. That's IL. doctor want
to mako a will. | cant die easy Janet,
get him pen aud ink. "
TITS nonsense, doctor. said Janet
Lot her die in peace. She need make
no will-she's no Idth nor kin but me,
her sister -
"Put tho pillow under my head. both
pillows. called tho patient "I'm chols.
ing Yes. that's It Now, doctor. for
Gods mercy do what | ask-Janet will
let me--or can't die easy +"
Janet's face grew black with anger
'Sho's not flt to mako will, and
I'm all she has in the world, said she.
Listen. listen. doctorl I'm In my
mind; | can't die easy. It's short
onough-f3. 900 and the cottage to
Janet, the rest to Charles Hartford. now
ON the training ship, the Monarch. "
The doctor took out a stylographic
pen and picked up from the fender an
old letter. on only ono side of which
there was writing
stop. stopi" said Janet "Sho's mad.
There's no such person. Ask her who
no Is. "
God forgive me, groaned Amaryl-
lis "I'll die happier II some one knows.
I've been a wicked woman.
The doctor sprinkled some eau de
cologne ON her head from a curious old
silver bottle that stood ON a chair by the
bedside and gave her something to drink
out OF medicine bottle Then with
desperate energy the old woman told
her story. despite the efforts of death TO
check her speech.
Father and mother were cruel. good
people. and was a blithe young woman
that hated church and psalms and dull
Sunday books. so when he came, Frank
Hartford. tho handsome sailor. no had
my heart for tho asking They would
none OF his addresses, for he wasn't a
God fearing man, they said. SO OF we
went with no blessing from parson. but
n curse from father IL lasted for ten
years we'll enough. had little house
not in cold Norfolk. but here in this
village. and he passed as my brother
when ON land. for he MAS most while at
sea. However. the time came. was
older than he by some years and fretted
for his absence-yes. and drank bit
so he grew tired. but didn't break with
me. was afraid to. think-God knows
why Then her face caught him
Mary's. the coast guardsman : daughter.
he kop, 10 from me, but the village Cos
sped. Ho meant 20 marry her and cast
me of How | hated her. poor thing
knew him we'll enough. handsome devil
He'd have married her because he
thought no other way would do. and
vowed he should not marry her nor any
but me. anu me he wouldn T. asked
her to the house. and he courted her be
fore my face and thought me blinc
fool
Zone night. his birthday, | had hel
10 supper and got down from Londos
some champagne She was TO stay thu
night. home was SO far of and tn
weather rough The little fool. the lit
tie ignorant fool. believed that thu
champagne-never before seen in on
village-was only fine cider and dranl
her share. and he was boisterous at tn
Jest Then | went out on pretext, say
ing I'd be back in an hour The mex
day she ran away with him. Confoun'
her | never saw him again -
At this point Amaryllis seemed {
break down. but after DOING for fey
minutes she continued in a faint voice
He left her soon enough and wen
to sea, leaving her and the baby to shit
as they might Me he dropped after this
night We'd a fearful quarrel, for b
guessed that I'd schemed it all Fiv
years later he wrote. said he had 'foun
God and married a rich woman an
wanted to make amends. He'd alway
kept me well enough. for his father lei
him eS, 900 and this cottage-he'd Sc