Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-09-01
IFOPENCEM ARxNTT
CHAPTER TX.

Mr.. Bond.
Before the meal is concluded, servant
brings a twisted piece Of paper to present
to Mrs. Horton.
please, ma am, messenger mas
brought this for you
Dear friend" it reads, 'if you can
some to me, pray do so. 1t is all over.
He died last night, and | am left alone,
and more in need of help from your strong
heart and head than ever. Yours atfec-
tionately. DELLA MORAY"
MAKE haste and finish your breakfast"
SAYS Mrs. Horton to her solicitor, explain
ing the note. "You must come with me!
Who knows what use your legal knowl-
edge may be to the poor girl in this eX-
trcmityT'
When they reach the Morays' lodgings
Mrs. Timson. with the elongated race
which she considers suitable to the occa-
sion, precedes them upstairs with an init
nation Of their arrival, and Della, very
pale and very grave, comes out 10 meet
her friend upon the landing.
1T is so good of you to come to me,
she says, as Mrs. Hephzibah embraces
her. but l felt sure you would. L sent
n telegram to tell Mr.. William Moray
this morning. and he has already arrived
here; and-and-we don't get on very well
together" she concludes, with look that
says more than her words.
Well I'm all the more glad that L was
able to come, my dear, then, and to bring
my friend Mr.. Bond. whom let me intro
duce to YOU Mr.. Bond is my legal ad-
viscr-you have heard me mention his
name before | think; and [ have told him
all your history so you needn't mind
what you say before him"
Pray come in from this Geld landing
says Della, simply, as, having bowed to
the solicitor, she leads the way to the
sitting room.
The blinds are down, but there is a
good fire in the CRATE, and it does not
look more dismal than usual.
The hid is seated on the hearthrug
playing with some books and toys, and
William Moray, from his chair at the ia
bic, is watching him greedily as though
he considers him to be already his own.
lie does not look particularly gratlted
when his sister-in-law re-enters the room,
followed by the strangers.
Some friends of mine who have been
kind enough TO call and see me" is all
that Della says in explanation, and then
chairs are offered and accepted, and the
party sit down together and feel uncom-
Portable, and don't know how to begin the
CONVERSE ton.
This is very melancholy occurrence,
Sir" says William Moray to Mr.. Bond.
VERY melancholyw is the rejoinder.
''Who is to manage the business of the
funeral?"
Il take that responsibility upon my own
shoulders says William Moray.
Il am glad to hear it," mods the lawyer;
''not but what it's only your duty. This
girl has kept your brother alive quite long
enough, in my opinion. 1t would be rath-
er hard if she had to bury him as well.'
My family, madam, is above leaving
the funeral obseQuies of any Of its men,
bers to be performed either inefficiently
or through the charity of strangers" he
answers, grandly.
Has your brother left a will?'
80, no. He had nothing to leave" re-
plies Della. innocently.
My late brother has left will which
was duly signed and witnessed in my
presence puts in Moray.
Glad to hear it." says the lawyer.
IA willr cried Della Il never saw it!
Do you know where it is, Mr.. MorayY'
ut is in my possession"
AS he speaks, he hands Mr.. Bond the
paper which James Moray signed the
night before. and the solicitor reads it
In silence. When Ae has concluded he
looks at Mrs. Hsston as much as to say:
''The game is up
Della catches the look and rightly in
terprets it.
What is in that paper?" she demands,
painting with excitement. Tell me. l
have a right to know"
Now, my dear lady" commences
the solicitor.
BE calm, Della Moray" interposes
Mrs. Hephzibah land depend on it we
will see all your legal rights secured to
you"
William Moray smiles furtively and
says nothing.
How can be calm, when feel some
further calamity is hanging over me? Oh.
tell me what it contains, for mercy's
sakev' implores the mother
We'll ladies'" explains the lawyer, 1.-The
gist Of the matter is that this paper, sign
ed by the deceased, and witnessed by his
brother and one Teresa Timson, deputies
the sole guardianship of his son, William
Angus Moray, to- his brother. William
Moray, and that without any reference to
or interference on the part of Della Mo-
ray, his wife. Which means. ladies, that
that gentleman standing there has the
power to decide where and how the boy
shall be boarded and educated hencefer-
ward. and that his mother has no power
whatever to gainsay or prevent him.
''Infa mousr' exclaimed Mrs Hephzi-
bah, energetically. But, if the law can
right her, it shall.
1.-THE law is futile to interfere" re-
spnods Mr.. Bond. This is the law"
BAH cries Mrs. Hephzibah. right in
his face, to prevent the tears that have
sprung to her eyes rolling down her
cheeks.
But Delia's scared gaze is fixed upon
him.
What did you say?'' she inquiries soft
"; Il don't think l quite understand it.
My boy left to his uncle? To be educated,
and fed. and kept by his uncle? Not to
live with me. do you mean? Could he do
N2 Is that the law?''