Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-01-05
MANVHLE FENN F!

Il house, In respect OF whose seFfloesi
and 80 that there should be no jeal-
GUS feeling as to amounts, he left each
the sum of five hundred pounds, free
of duty, and ten pounds each to buy
mourning.
"To my old and faithful servant,
companion and friend," read on the
solicitor, "'Ramo All ice, two hundred
and fifty pounds per annum for the
rest OF his natural life; the same to be
secured in three percent. consols, re-
verting at his death as hereinafter
| stated"
Ramo did not move or utter a word,
"To my old friend and adviser,
Joshua Critic, OF the Inner Temple,
the plain gold signet-ring on the
fourth finger of my left hand
Then followed a few more minor be-
quests, and instructions OF very
simple nature, ending one long para
| graph In the will; and as Mr.. Critic
removed his glasses, and proceeded
deliberately to wipe them, the SER
wants took advantage OF the gloom
where they sat to give each other a
rongratuIatory shake OF the hand.
II now come to the important be-
+, quests" said Mr.. Critic, rebalanclng
his glasses In his calm, deliberate way.
| ""To Katrlne Leveill4e 0'Enghlen,
daughter of my niece, Harriet Den
| CHEN. formerly Capel, the gold bangle
presented to me by the Rance, and
one hundred pounds. free OF duty, to
buy mourning"
There, what did tell you?" said
Katrlne, In low, sweet voice, as she
smiled at her companions.
ITO Gerard Arts, son OF my cousin.
William Artls," read on Mr.. Critic,
In the same monotonous, unmoved
way; then he stopped to draw one Of
| the candles forward In front of the
parchment.
The young man shifted his position
uneaslly, and drew In his breath
quickly as he thought OF the testator's
immense wealth, and glanced at
Katrine.
II shall not get ALL" he thought,
FOR he will leave something to Paul
Cape."
Then. after what seemed an age of
suspense, the old solicitor went on:
The sum OF one hundred pounds,
free OF duty, to buy mourning"
There was death-llke stiffness as
the lawyer paused,
Go on, sir, go on" cried Artis, in
a harsh voice.
| I al
mo, no, finish the bequest to
me-"
II did, sir One hundred pounds to
buy mourning"
What? Treat me worse than his
servants!"
II believe, Mr.. Arts, II you will ex-
cuse me, that testator has a per-
feet right to do what he likes with mis-
own"
Then you influenced him." cried
Artis, furlously. Il shall dispute the
will"
The old gentleman smiled.
Influenced my old friend to leave
me his signet-rlng. eh, Mr.. Arts? No
sir; the will was written by Colonel
Capel himself. and afterward trans
ferred to parchment II you will al
low me | will proceed"
Il shall dispute the will. say so at
once" cried Artls, that there may be
no mistake. Ono hundred pounds
each to Miss D'Enghlen and myself 1t
Is absurd, paltry, pitlful.
You never saw the testator, Mr.
Artist"
mo. sir"
Neither did you, Miss D'EnghIen"
II? oh, no."
He told me himself" continued the
; old lawyer, that he had never seen
either Miss Lawrence or Mr.. Pau
Capel
Lydia murmured an assent.
No. said Capel. who felt curious
oppression at the chest, II never saw
my Sreat-uncle. never even heard
from or wrote to him"
May | ask why2"
Il knew he was reported to be I'm.
mensely rich, and--well, felt that h,
might think | was trying to curry
favor"
Let me see, Mr.. Arts. think til,
deceased did pay your debts?"
is this meant for an Insult, sir?"
No. sir; 1t was buslness.like de
Tense OF my old friends memory. TC
proceed;
TO Lydia Alicia Lawrence, IN,
grand-niece, twenty-five thousant
pounds, free OF duty. the same to b,
invested in consols; and II she mar
rieS, to be secured by marriage set
Elements to herself and children"
: There was buzz of congratulatlor
here, rs the old solicitor once NOR,
wiped his glasses and arranged then
) and the candles, while, in spite OF hi,
endeayors to preserve his calmness
Paul Capel. the only one present We
unmentloned, felt the oppression In
creaslng. and the air in the grea
gloomy room seemed to have becom,
thick and hard to breathe
He was as IL In dream as the law
. yer went on: