Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-11-25

the VIII Say $IU.00O 70 the hext heir /
after Robert, II be win surrender all
claims and those papers"
He paused n moment TO gather
strength. Slowly he mentioned some
minor requests, three men TO act as
trustees, and added: ''Let the rest be
held in trust for Robert for ten years
Let him have the use and income, and if
he marries let it all be his at once"
If he should not marry in the ten
years" Judge Russell asked.
"He will. he WILL" Olmstead ex-
claimed. Hell not be such fool. II
he don't-if he don't care for me or
the money, then let it go where it viii.
The other one can't get it il he signs
off for the ten thousand, and 1 don't
care who else has it il Robert don't
want it. Write quickly. I'm not well.
I feel afraid"
The rest returned and did what they
could for the patient while Judge Rus
sell wrote. The storm was still increas-
ing, and to add to it the fire broke out
which destroyed the great building
supporting the tower with the clock
which had so long kept pace with the
CLOCK IN OlIOStCdQ
Thousands must still remember how
the hands of that clock moved steadily
while all the building beneath it was
wrapped in flame; how the great bell
rang, clear and loud, above the storm,
above the roaring and kissing of the
water, above the grooming and throb-
bling of the engines and the shouting of
| the men; how it struck the hour Of
! midnight, like grand, triumphant
peal, less than two minutes before the
| roof and the walls fell in with an awful
! rash, stopping the wheels but leaving
the tower with its burden still standing,
| Ike a grim minaret rising out of the
ruins; for there WIS something ghostly
In those long black fingers that for
days remained there, solemnly pointing
to two minutes past twelve.
The engines were heard above the
storm, in the library. and the glare
tinged the curtains closely drawn over
the long windows; but the fire received
little attention from the anxious ones
gathered there
, When the writing was finished, Ohm.
stead read the will, and In a more
natural voice remarked:
at is correct. Give me the PEN"
: Rev. DR.. Borden signed as the frs
? witness, and moment later Judg,
Russell handed the pen to Sam.
Sam was unused to writing. Thu
solemn scene, the intense excitement
a vague sense Of responsibility, be
) wildered him. and he made slow worl
. at it. Judge Russell could hardly en-
: dure the delay. He had left his wifi
with a sick child at home, without 81
: much as telling her that he was goin,
! out. He glanced at his watch as b
handed Sam the pen.
! Great Heavensi it's 10 o'clock. Hur
' ry, man, hurry" he whispered.
i Sam tried to hurry, and was so nue.
= the slower in consequence. The tai
D clock and the clock in the tower wer
striking. He nsrvousIy fingered tn
= pen till they had ceased. Stanton wa
kneeling by the armchair, holding hi
= uncle's hand. DIR. Borden stood bs
hind the chair, with word for comfoI
4 or courage when it could be spoken.
i AS the last stroke sounded, Oln
/. stead turned his head, resting on til
t back of the armchair, till his eye
e looked up at the portrait Of a beautifI
woman, hanging above the fire, an
Il slowly he repeatedi
&c twelve o'clock, and all is we'll"
At last Sam finished writing. Jude
Russell bent over him, took the pei
wrote for an instant, and
Suddenly the room seemed to vibra'
and shudder. The dull outlines of II
windows glared brighter than II
lights Of the library. The awful cras
of the falling walls and the shrek
7 the crowd about them sounded. 5udf
4 Russell caught up the viii and hurri'
from the house. Stanton felt a twinl
contract the hand he was holding: 70
getting the years that had made ma
of him, he laid his cheek upon il.
DR.. Morton glanced at the patient
face, reached his heart, waited a M
ment. and, laying his hand on Sta
tons shoulder, said:
my friend, it is over. He is gone
ReverentIy DR.. Borden repeated L
dying wordsi
Twelve o'clock, and all is we'll"