Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-06-14

II did not kno.D IT," said Mary.
was unexpected. II may say at once
that did not make this will of Captain
Conway, he said in polite and strict
ly professional accents. sit was made
by some person unknown to me and
handed to me by Captain Conway, seal
ed as you seeit, with instructions that
should necessity arise / should at once
seek you out, break the seals in your
presence and make you acquainted with
the contents.
81 am quite at your service" said
Mary tremulously.
The lawyer at once broke the seals
and drew from the long, tough envel-
ope folded paper. Mary sat, with
hands quietly clasped in her lap, wait
ing. Mr.. Warrington cast his eye over
the writing, frowned, bit his lip,
glanced at the girl widow apprehen-
sively and then coughed nervously.
"You have no ideal should say
mean he stammered
Mary looked up. "Will you read it q"
she suggested. 81 have no idea what is
in it. but shall be surprised at moth
ing. Captain; Conway had strange ideas
on some subjects. -
Every strange, . murmured Mr.. Law
son, who gathered from the lawyers
manner that the will contained nothing
of pleasant import to the lady.
~ will read it, p said the lawyer,
then coughed again and began:
az, Edward Conway, captain Of the 8. 8.
Arikhama, being of sound mind on this the
18th day OF July, 49,, declare this to be my
last will and testament. All and any property
Of which die possessed give and bequeath
to my nephew, Howard Conway, TO be abso-
iutely and entirely at his own disposal.
"In the presence of Henry Challerton, John
Walker"
For a few moments the widow and
the shipowner were too much surprised
to speak OF the three Mary was the
most composed. Mr.. Lawson was, how
ever. the first to break the silence.
"You were perhaps otherwise provid-
ed for. Mrs Conwayf" he said gently
Mary shook her head. ono; ! am
entirely unprovided for" she replied. /,
"But-but such will is preposter-
GUS. Warrington, is there no POSSIBLE
ity. of upsetting it9"
wills have been upset, of course, and
will be again." said the lawyer, guard
eddy. Gin this case. however, such q
course would be costly-and uncertain.
Mrs. Conway was living with her hus-
band up to the time Of his leaving
home, she is living under his roof now,
and it would be difficult to prove that
the nephew lad possessed or exercised
| any undue influence or that the testatol
was not Of sound mind at the time Of
making the will You, for instance,
| could not come forward to throw any
doubts upon his sanity from your OWE
observation, for the jury and the public
would alike ask what were you about t.
send out vessel like the Arikhama il
charge Of a person whom you believed
to be more or less of a lunatic.
"You could not say lit" put in Mary
rising to her feet. "Nor hould / wisl
it. Gentlemen, you need not trouble
about mel dare say Mr.. Howard Con
way will not turn me out of this hous'
while my mother is so ill-or until sh'
is gone where there is no need Of an.
refuge"
81 will communicate with him a
once" said Mr.. Warrington. "It i
not at all likely, especially as he in
herits everything, which must be
great and unexpected thing for him,
he added.
"Then / need not detain you an.
longer" said Mary. holding out he
hand.
Mr. Lawson possessed himself Of 1t
"Forgive me, my dear young lady, !" h
said, kindly, "but have you means 70
the momentH If you have illness in tn
house, and you spoke of your mother
"My mother is very i'll. very, YER
ill, said Mary. .'She was an invali
when married, but the news of Car
tain Conway's death came upon he
without warning and brought on anotf
or stroke, very serious one. We hav
not much hope of her."
Her voice dropped away to what wa
little more than whisper. Mr.. Law
son kept hold Of her hand and murmul
ed consoling little phrases. Mary, how
ever, was quite dry eyed. Her grief an
, despair were too deep for ordinar
: ways of sorrow. "You must let me &c
, you through this" he said at las
"Your husband was in the service {
my company for many years, and 70
: must not hesitate to take from me whs
: is necessary to tide you over this III
) looked for time. Have you formed an
idea or plans YETI But no-of couri
you have not. Who was to expect thu
l such will would be left behind?"
Mary looked upon him with her woi
derful clear eyes. 81 earned my Twin
! for years before was married, 81
I said. simply, "and shall be able to ear
II again. Just now, of course, am a
: ont Of. reckoning and can set abo,
. nothing. You are very kind, Mr.. Law
> COO, but have some money left. !"
8 II will supplement it, he said, hu
9 sssdly, and tore himself away, unab
Q longer to bear the dumb pain Of b
0es and mouth.
At last she was left alone, alone
think over the end to which her fl
9 oarriage had brought her, to think tn
= bare she was in house which she hi
thought her own, but which had be-
IN away from her to one whom h
Q husband had always professed to ha
t Asscely, penniless except for the fe
z DoAnds which she happened to ha
q Asown cut Of the bank before the ne,
l. q ~ tsendering Of the Arikhama b,
9 eoashsA them. Well. she had wishe
AaiA ssAsA u b frss. AnS I