The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-11-13

self?''
'No one but you"
care you sure?'
Yes. 1t has been locked in my desk
since Horace gave it to ne, and the
key has never been out of my posses
sion."
Hone
Quillebert stretched himself to half
reclining position, thrust his hands
deep into his pocket and, with his eyes
riveted upon the will, plunged into
cogita,ion so profound and apparently
so forceful that it seemed a bodily &C
tion instead Of an intellectual opera
ton. This silent function was pro-
longed, and Evariste became impatient.
though he dared not disturb it Sudden
ly Quillebert rose, drew from his pock-
ct a number Of letters. and. tearing
from one blank page Of thin French
made paper, he took up the will. turned
the kew in the door and walked to the
rear end of the room, where a single
window let in the light from the west.
Finding pen and ink on the wide man
tel, be placed them Oh the window
ledge.
what are you doingY' asked Eva
riste.
Stay where you are" Quillebort re-
piled.
He spread the will against the dirty
window pane, illumined By the almost
vertical rays Of the evening sun, and
over it the page Of translucent paper.
With slow movement he piled the pen,
stopping at intervals to rest his hand
and wrist, and for an hour labored
thus, uttering never a word. Then,
emitting a satisfied snort, he removed
the two sheets from the glass and, lay
ing them before Evariste, said:
"How does that strike you?"
Evariste was amazed and exclaimed
admiringly:
"You certainly are master. Con-
stant!'
"But you can improve on that. Your.
fingers and wrist are more supple and
steady than mine. Only take time and
be careful" And QaiIlebert drew the
thin sheet toward Lin AID Il :. match.
Don't do that. Give it to ne" Eva
riste cried.
"No, TO-" his companion answered,
with a sapient grin. This is m:Ha
You have the suggestion" And, touch
ing the fame to it, he turned the IUTn-
ing paper with his fingers Until every
part was converted to ashes, which he
crumbled with his Land ard stirred
with those in the huge fireplace.
For many days !Iyariste remained on
the plantation. His reticence ana
thoughtful mien were taken for sorrow
ing. Much Of this time was spent in
his room. He aged vis;bly. The
poignancy Of his grief YES attested.
4 month later, wearing on lis hat
band Of black. he sought audience CT
Father Grhe, who received him with
courtesy, but not With warmth, briefly
speaking the expected words Of condo
lence.
Father" he said, my dear, generous
brother left with ME sealed envelope
instructirg Ile to open itca learning OF
his death. I have just done so and
found it to be his last viii and test.-
nlent in the Geographic form. Eere it
is. Kindly read it and say whether
you recognize the handwriting to be
entirely his, for know you have often
seen him write and sign during his life
time" He had get by rote tie very
wording of tie codes formula.
The priest carefully studied The Pa
per, throwing now and then search
ing glance upon the subdued coun-
tenance Of his visitor, and said:
YES, l recognize the writing TO lie
that Of your brotiler.'
"You will so testify in court, father:'
81 must, if called" His tone implied
reluctance.
"You were one o. bis closest and most
highly esteemed fr!2rGs and for that
reason, father, deem il meet a2d de-
sirable that you should be one OF the
witnesses to prove his testament"
"Be 1t so," said the good man, though
he Diously wished the request had not
been made.
Eyariste now sought Noreeu, the Old
time clerk Of court, and, putting to
him the same interrcgatories. received
the like responses.
And in due course, Oh proof Of hand
writing delivered by Father Grhe and
Lucien Noreau and Of death made by
Valsin Mouillot, the parish judge at
tached his paraph and ordered to be
executed 'in all its parts and particu-
lars the following instrument pro-
pounded by Evarista as the last will
and testament of Horace Oakfell:
PARISH OF AvorELLEs, LOUISIANA, Nay 6, 1861.
!, Horace Oakfell OF ''LEspcraace" plantation,
in the parish and state above written. OF lawful age
and without forced heirs, being Of sound health
both in mind and body, but knowing the GER
tainty OF death and the uncertainty OF the time
thereof and especially having in view the pcrils
Of war, into which am about to enter, do make
this my last will and testament in the Geographic
form.
give and bequeath unto my brother, EYariste
Oakfell, all my estate OF whatsoever kind and
wheresoerer situated which / may possess at the
raoment Of my death.
I appoint my brother, Evariste Oakfell, sole ex-
ecutor Of this testament and dispense him from
giving bond.
This testament has beer dated, written and
signed by me on one sheet Of paper at one writ
ing. HORACE OAHFELL.
Receiving the letters testamentary
sealed with seal Of the court, his war
rant Of dominion over all the Oakfel
fortune, EYariste proudly trayersed the
parish, returning to "L'Esperance' as
it's master.
"Ah. Horace" to himself he said, ''in