The herald., 1898-11-27

mot soul" he replied unctuously.
as he busted a rickety chair with a
newspaper. and placed it near his
desk. Not living soul; You need not
be afraid here"
'I knew since you are a lawyer, that
I might consult you-talk to you free
ly," she said. She sat down, put the
point of her umbrella in a crack in
the floor, and leaned on it gracefully
"Of course you may" he answered.
parting his long coat-tails and sitting
down in his revolving chair, his large
eyes giving her warm glance of ad-
miration as he scrutiniZed her dainty
figure from her well-shod feet to her
fashionable hat.
Il need your advice" she said. the
long lashes of her eyes yelling their
expression. "Of course, you have
heard the reports that have been cir
culated about me and"
1.-The will?" interpolated the lawyer
when she paused; ''yes, of course a
thing like that would be pretty apt to
reach my ears. A mans hearing ap-
paratus isn't like his eyes that he can
close at will"
Don't joke, please" said Mrs. Meme
fee. Il heard that Hal and Sue were
here to see you.
"They WERE" he admitted almost re-
luctantly. Il think l may as we'll tell
YOU that they did consult me in regard
to the law bearing on the case"
For a moment there was pause in
the conversation, and when the woman
finally spoke more fear than indigna-
ton was manifest in her tone, though
it was evident to his keen sense, that
she was trying to emphasize the lat
ter.
And would YOU" she questioned in
a voice full of quavers, would you
take a case against me when-when
persuaded Mr.. Menefee to give you all
his business because you and l have
always been such good friends?"
Mr.. Bates smiled as man smiles
who is confident that situation is his
own-there was no part of his broad
face that did not lend itself to his
change of expression.
"a lawyer couldn't afford to allow
any client to pass him." he answered.
"There are too few cases these hard
times. If Hal and Mrs. Sprigs have
any case at all, Mrs. Menefee, you
know it involves considerable amount
say fifteen thousand dollars"
II know" said the widow, catching
her breath and avoiding his gaze, Il
know, but-but do you think they are
likely to-proceed?'
He smiled again. 'I told them I'd
look UP all the available evidence and
let them know in day or so if there
is any chance to establish their claim"
"Ah, it stands that way
Eyes. it really lies with me-they
have unbounded faith in my judg-
ment."
"And you think if you told them
there would be no use to take the mat
ter into court that they would drop
it?'
"Wilhout doubt"
"Well, there isn't any proof" said
Mrs. Menefee, in a less constrained
tone. "I have heard of nothing except
ing that Tabitha Bogsworth saw me
burning a paper the night Mr. Meme
fee died, and that Ike Wittekind heard
Joe say he intended to make Will.
That's all, isn't it?"
The lawyer idly fingered an ink bot
tie for a moment, and eyed her closely.
mot exactly ALL" he said slowly.
mot all?" echoed the widow with
little gasp which she managed TO con-
vert into an insincere laugh before 1t
expired. surely, you don't mean
that"
you see" went on Bates deliberate
ly. 'I happen to be in position to
testify myself in a way that might pe
advantageous to the claimants
"You?" cried the widow increduious-
ly, and her eyes widened.
"Yes, your husband had a talk with
me awhile before his death, and ex-
nressed the intention Of willing half
his estate to his brother and sister. He
talked the legal points over with me
and the next day he told me positlVeiy
that he had made the WILL
"He told you that? Why Mr.. Bates,
he never did make it, but you must
stand by me. employ you now. Don't
YOU see. if you are my lawyer"
The womans voice had trailed off
into vacancy, as if it had fled from her
now stony face. Bates bent his head
to his hand for a moment, and when