Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-11-19
CHAPTER LxVI.
A WILL OF LATER DATE.

lea as lead to lapis-lazuli. 1t was
the sky which canopies London, or
rather its atmosphere, since not bit
of blue armament could be seen through
the thick November fog, filling the
streets of the Metropolis, and impeding
yehicular traffic, while half suffocating
the foot passengers who had ventured
abroad.
Cropping my way through it, I sue
ceeded in reaching LincolRs Inn Fields,
and discovering the Office of Lawson &
Son, glad to find the firm still in ex-
istence Fortunate, also, to light upon
Mr.. Lawson, senior, at his post, sitting
in his private room behind a leather
topped table Uttered over with sheets
Of blue wove.''
I was pleased, moreover, to see the
genial gentleman altogether unlike the
typical practitioner of the acute kind,
but rather of a benevolent cast of
countenance.
Captain M" he said, half in
terrogatively with his eye upon the
card | had sent in.
EYES," answered, bowling assent.
you have business with me?"
81 have"
'fMay I know"
Without waiting for him to complete
the formal request handed him a let
ter, with which I had been furnished
by Henry Harding, to introduce both
myself and the business l came about.
Soon as CHANGING at it Mr.. Lawson
gave a start that shook the spectacles
on his nose, nearly dismounting them.
BLESS my SOUL" he exclaimed, re-
covering himself, "can this be so? Is
1t possible Mr.. Henry Harding is still
alive?'
He was when I saw him in South
America, about six weeks ago; and l
doubt not still is, since 1 left him in
Tue very UeSC Oh uedlLu.
"Bless my stars!" again calculated
the lawyer, slightly altering the form
of exclamation: This is news-good
news, though they'll be bitter ones at
Beechwoods Park. Now, Violet, you
supple scoundrel, I'll have the whip
hand of you, and your grand CLIENT"
Not quite comprehending the import
of this excited side apostrophe, yet
with some suspicion of it, / requested
an explanation. l had no fear about
bestowing condolences, at once perceiv-
ing that Lawyer Lawson was on our
side, and would be to the bitter end.
A long conference between us sue
ceeded, the details of which need not
be introduced here, only the heads Of
importance, many of them to me new.
From the lawyer I learnt why Henry
Harding had not received, when he ap-
piled for it, the post orbit for one thou
sand pounds, as also why his father had
seemingly abandoned him to his cruel
fate as captive to brigands.
/ say seemingly, since the ransom
money had been in reality sent, Law
sons own son taking it, but failing to
find either Capo Corvio, or anybody
else to whom it could be delivered.
He did discover No. 9, Strada Vol
turno, but no Signor Jacopo living
there. Instead, he saw the dead body
of that versatile individual hanging
from lamp-post in front of the afore-
said house, to which he lad been hoist
ed by the Liberatori.
After that all inquiry failed him, the
French troops under Oudinot entering
Rome, and putting an end to the I'll
umyirate. From the cowardly carnage
which succeeded, Lawson fills was but
too glad to escape with whole skin, and
make his way back to London.
Once more the young Lincoln's Inn
lawyer had gone out to Italy, at General
parding's cost and earnest desire for
the recovery of his lost son. But, as
before. to come back from bootless
quest; this time Tvsurning to ind the
General in his grave-the shock having
killed him, or, at all events, fastened
death, already imminent.
"And now, Captain" said Lawson,
senior, to me, concluding his chapter
of strange revelations, there's one
thing more / must tell you. AS Mr..
Henry Hardings friend, which l see
YOU are, can confde in you Before
the General died-indeed, on his death
bed-he made another will; of course,
SUBSEQUENT TO that by which Nigel now
holds. It's terms, as regards the dis
posal of the property, are almost iden-
tically the same as those drawn up by
Mr.. Violet. only with the names OF
the legatees reversed-transposed; as
i need not point out to you, very
important alteration. That will Is
here, in my Office, locked up in the box
SOU see above"
Looking up to a shelf, saw tfs re-
ceptacle indicated-a japanned til case,
lettered ..Major-G General H riding,
Beechwoods Park
Wont it be bitter pill fc. Woolet
to swallow" exultingly exclaimed the
r ~, do,, eso1in;tor HE y,,,ofocSinnal cnita