Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-11-08

and .Seilais2 What shall we say of him
He was dumbfounded-
Hannah was clearly mistaken" he
'hought.
IL do also appoint my aforesaid admin
istratOr as guardian of my beloved daugh-
ter, and by reason Of my estates being
large and my interests many, direct that
his duties as such guardian shall not
cease until my daughter shall reach her
twentieth birthday. This provision, how
ever, to be void in case Of the marriage of
my aforesaid daughter before she shall
reach the age If twenty. and in which
event her husband shall supplant her
guardian"
white lips Of Miss DeRosette, and her
head fell forward upon the shoulder of
her companion.
All eyes were directed to her moaning
form.
The directors-the friends Of the dead
banker of fifty years standing-sat pale.
silent, mute.
Sellars, overcome though he was with
on the features Of the cashier. But naught
but a placid countenance did he see-no
evidence Of surprise there-no twitchins
Of the muscles of the face-neither a look
Of exultation, merely a dead calm face,
slightly flushed, and a pair Of inQuiring
eyes looking up at the lawyer.
DE Lord Godw was the exclamation
that fell from the lips Of old Uncle Duke.
Herman Craven did not cast q glance
in his direction.
IN witness whereof" continued the
lawyer, Il have hereunto set my hand and
seal in this, the city Of Wilmington, State
of North Carolina, this. the third day Of
March. eighteen hundred and fifty-seven
ALVIN DE ROSETTE.
"Witnesses-John d. Lloyd Freeman
elliott"
This ends the reading of the instru.
ment," said the attorney, sinking into q
chair.
The conclusion comes as q SURPRISE"
observed Director Hammond. THAT is
understand me, Mr.. Craven-of course
death came so suddenly to our friend that
none Of us, l think, had given the matter
a thought. But, excuse me, there are so
many old and tried friends-men Of great
Ar experience than yourself that 1t seems
strange that he should have designated
you as the administrators Of his estate and
guardian of his daughter"
"Very, very stranger echoed the other
directors.
Il am not surprised at that, gentlemen."
Herman said blandly. 1T was because of
your age that my uncle did not name some
one of you. Remember, q week ago he.
bade fair to live as long as any Of you.
He would have named Mr.. Dobbs but for
his age"
Strange the will does not read my
nephew, Herman Craven instead Of my
friend, Herman Craven" remarked Di-
rector Chadbourn.
1T would seem So" said Herman; but
my uncle often used to term me friend
Herman Yes, more often than he did
nephew in our private conversations. He
had notified me that he had named me as
administrator of his will, but he had no,
informed me how literally he had remem
bered me in the same. 1t quite overpow-
ers me-" and Herman raised his hand
kerchief to his eyes.
THE witnesses to this will?' observed
the detective.
Went down with the ill-fated Gosmore.
and within sight Of the British coast
said the attorney.
"Then," remarked Sellars. .thsrs are
no living witnessesT'
"None." the attorney said; "but their
signatures are here, and there is NO Ques-
ton but what they are genuine. You ali
know them, gentlemen"
Yes" observed Director Hammond,
land I was aware they had witnessed
our old friends signature to his will. AZ
ter their death think he intended getting
other signatures, but he deferred it too
long"
Sellars had advanced. apd the attorney
nanded ne closely
scrutinized.
YES" he said presently, ''the sigma
:ures are genuine beyond a doubt, but"
But what, Mr.. Sellars?" asked Law
yer Dobbs.
Il was about to say that the signatures
are genuine, but the witnesses themselves
are somewhere rocking to and fro, deep
down in the bosom Of the ocean," answer
ed Sellars.
"And the sea-" thought Herman .Cra-
ven, will not give up its dead"
What step Is first necessary he ask
ed.
1.-The submission Of the will for pro
bate" said the attorney, land immediate
y thereafter you must enter at once on
the discharge of your duties. You will
but both myself and the direc-
tors Of the bank stand ready to lend you
every possible aid"
"I shall enter upon them. gentlemen, de-
pending largely on your advice, remarked
Herman, "and every provision of my un-
Hes will shall be carried out faithfully.
To my cousin shall endeavor to prove a
faithful guardian"
A groan burst from the quivering lips Of
he young heiress as she arose to her feet. |
There is something"
She caught the warning glance Of the |
detective, and leaning heavily on her COM
,anion's arm, left the room.
my cousin is quite overcome" observed |
Herman.
"Very naturally so," said Sellars. 'She
,as Just listened to the reading Of the last |
will and testament Of her murdered faith |
r."
CHAPTER XIII.
The day following the reading OF the |
Vii the instrument was admitted to pro- |
,ate, and Herman Craven had the hand |
ing of a vast estate in his hands.
He held also in those same white hands. |
n thought he did, the destiny. Of charm
ng young heiress.
Ere two years roll BY" he thought. |
IS he sat in his private Office at the b9nk, |
the husband must supplant the guardian
Il shall have become that husband. 1t
will not be difacult after Robert Ii IN
elon's grave to win the heart Of my ward,
It least to make her my wife. She clearly
Ioes not believe that Robert Campbell
,rrdarod hor father Jennie'S presence