Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-06-14
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On the following morning Mrs. Hephzi-
bah Horton is seated in her own rooms at
breakfast. in company with the solicitor
Mr. Bond
Before the meal is concluded, a servant
brings a twisted piece of paper to present
10 Mrs Horton.
"PleaSe. ma'am, messenger has
brought this for you"
Dear friend" it reads, '.if you can
come to me- pray do so. 1t Is all over.
He died last night, and l am left alone
and more in need of help from your strong
heart and head than ever. Yours affec-
dorately. DELLA MORAY"
Make haste and finish your breakfast" "
rays Mrs Horton to her solicitor, explain
ing the note. You must come with me.
WHO knows what use your legal knowl-
edge may be TO the poor girl in this ex-
tremity?'
When they reach the Morays' lodgings
Mrs Timson. with the elongated face
which she considers suitable to the occa-
sion. precedes them upstairs with an init
nation OF their arrival. and Della, very
pale and very grave, comes out to meet
aer friend upon the landing.
at Is so good of you to come to me"
Ihe s:syS. as Mrs. Hephzibah embraces
her. but l felt sure you would. l sent
telegram TO tell Mr.. William Moray
this morning. and he has already arrived
here; and-and-we don't get on very well
together" she concludes, with look that
says more than her words.
We'll, I'm all the more glad that 1 was
sbIe 10 come. my dear, then, and to bring
my friend Mr.. Bond. whom let me intro
duce 10 you. Mr.. Bond is my legal ad-
viser-yOu have heard me mention his
name before, l think; and have told him
all your history, so you needn't mind
what you say before him."
Pray come in from this cold landing"
sys Della. simply, as, having bowed to
the solicitor, she leads the way to the
sitting room.
The blinds are down, but there Is
good fire in the crate, and it does not
look more dismal than usual.
The child is seated on the hearthrug
playing with some books and toys, and
William Moray, from his chair at the ia
ble, is watching him greedily as though
he considers him to be already his own.
He does not look particularly gratified
when his sister-in-law re-enters the room,
fO!ssEsa fE ffEIthGs thf stfanRGse 81 nRGe who have been
kind enough to call and see me-" is all
that Della says in explanation, and then
chairs are offered and accepted, and the
party ait down together and feel uncom-
Portable and don't know how to begin the
conversation.
This is a very melancholy occurrence,
sir, says William Moray to Mr.. Bond.
"Nery melancholy" is the rejoinder.
ho is to manage the business Of the
funcral:'
81 take that responsibility upon my own
shoulders," says William Moray.
81 am glad to hear it, mods the lawyer;
mot but what it's only your duty. This
girl has kept your brother alive quite long
enough in my opinion. 1t would be rath-
.r hard if she had TO bury him as we'll"
'Sly family, madam, is above leaving
the funeral obsequies of any Of its MEM
bers TO be performed either inefiiciently
or through the charity of strangers" he
answers. grandly.
'lIas your brother left willY"
80, Io, He had nothing to leave" re-
plies Della, innocently.
My late brother has left a will which
was duly signed and witnessed in my
presence puts in Moray.
Glad to hear it," says the lawyer.
"a will"' cried Della. Il never saw it'll
Do you know where it is, Mr.. MOrayT
1T is in my possession"
As he speaks, he hands Mr.. Bond the
paper which James Moray signed the
night before, and the solicitor reads it
In silence. When he has concluded he
looks at Mrs. Horton as much as to say:
The game is up
Della catches the look and rightly in
terprets it
hat is in that paper| she demands.
painting with excitement. Tell me.
have a right to KNOW
Nov, my dear lady" commences
the solicitor
BE calm, Della Moray" interposef
Mrs. Hephzibah, "and depend on it we
will see all your legal rights secured to
You"
William Moray smiles furtively and
says nothing.
How can l be calm, when feel some
further calamity is hanging over me! On!
tell me what it contains, for mercys
sake" implores the mother.
We'll, ladies'" explains the lawyer, the
yst Of the matter is that this paper. sign
ed by the deceased, and witnessed by his
brother and one Teresa Timson, deputies
the sole guardianship of his son, William
Angus Moray, to his brother, William
Moray, and that without any reference to
or Interference on the part Of Della Mo
ray, his wife. Which means, ladies, that
that -utieman standing there has the
pow'r 10 decide where and how the boy
shall lie t"arded and educated hencefor-
ward, and that his mother has no power
whatever to gainsay or prevent him.
"lnfamousr' exclaimed Mrs. Hephzi-
bah eHergetically. But, if the law can
right her, it shall,'
The law is futile to interfere, re
'pnods Mr.. Bond This is the law"
BAH cries Mrs. Hephzibah, right in
MS face. 10 prevent the tears that have
sprung to her eyes rolling down heI
checks
But Delia's scared gaze is fixed upon
him
What did you say?' she inquiries soft
y; Il don't think | quite understand it.
My hoy left to his uncle? To be educated.
ana led. and kept by his uncle? Not tc
I'VE with me. do you mean? Could he DC
1t: Is that the law"
IL Is the law, unfortunately, my deal
uddam.' replies Mr.. Bond.
lie shall not-he shall not! l defy
"iLn' is it for this l have borne insult
anu violence and abuse, in bitter silence
tor this that my husbands last act
vas 10 attempt my life? Oh! you cannot
SaHhot have the heart to take my boy
an NE z she cries, turning to her BROTH
II you could persuade your friend"
:n VILLAIN Moray to Mrs. Horton.
IL - ~