Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-03-08

For an hour ne ldbored thus.
proof that his genius was actively
working. Looking up without raising
bis head. he said:
"Who has seen this besides your.
selfY'
mo one but you"
Are you sureT'
YES. II has been locked In my desk
since Horace gave IL to me. and the
key has never been out OF my losses
sion"
Homer
Quillebert stretched himself to bali
reclining position. thrust his hands
deep into his pocket and. with his eyes
riveted upon the will. plunged into a
cogitation so profound and apparently
so forceful that IL seemed a bodily &C.
ton instead OF an intellectual opera
ton This silent function was pro-
longed, and Evariste became impatient,
though he dared not disturb IL Sudden
ly Quillebert rose, drew from his peck
ct a number of letters. and. tearing
from one blank page OF thin French
maze paper he took up the will. turned
rear eud Of the room where a single
window Let In the light from the west.
Finding pen aud ink on the W ia. man
tel. he placed them On the window
ledge
What are you DONG asked Eva
riste
STAY wher. YOU are" Quillpbert re.
piled
III. sptad the win against the dirty
window pane. iIlumlpcd by the almost
vertical RAYS OF the evening sun and
over II the page of translucent paper
With SLOW movement he Piled the pph
stopping At Intervals TO rest his hand
and wrist. and for an hour laborcd
thus, uttering never a word Then.
uniting satisfied snort. he removed
The two sheets from the glass and. Ing
.ng them before Evarisie. said:
How does thai strike your
Evariste was amazed and exclaimed
admiriugly:
You certainly are a master. Con
s;ant"'
"Rut you can Improve on that. Your
dngers and wrist are more supple and
steady than mine. Only take time aud
be careful" And Quillebert drew the
thin sheet toward him and lit a match.
Don't do that. Give it to me-" Eva
riste cried.
mo, no." his companion answered,
with a saplent grin. "This is mine.
You have the suggestion" And, touch
ing the flame to 1t, he turned the burn
ing paper with his fingers until every
part was converted to ashes, which he
crumbled with his hand and stirred
with those in the huge fireplace
For many days Evariste remained on
the plantation. His reticence and
thoughtful mien were taken for sorrow
ing. Much of this time was spent in
his room. He aged visibly. The
poignancy Of his grief was attested.
A month later, wearing on his hat a
band OF black, he sought audience OF
Father Grhe, who received him with
courtesy, bat not with warmth, briefly
speaking the expected words OF condo
lence
Father" he said, "my dear, generous
brother left with me a sealed envelope
instructing me to open it on learning OF
his death. have just done so and
found 1t to be his last will and tesla
ment In the Geographic form. Here 1t
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" BE had got by rote the very
wording Of the codes formula.
The priest carefully studied the pa
per, throwing now and then a search
ing glance upon the subdued coun-
tenance Of his visitor, and said:
Eyes, 1 recognize the writing to be
that of your brother"
You will so testify in court, fatherT'
Il must, if called" His tone implied
reluctance.
"You were one of his closest and most
highly esteemed friends and for that
reason, father, deem it meet aad de-
sirable that you should be one Of the
witnesses to prove his testament"
''Be it So" said the good man, though
he plously wished the request had not
been made.
Evariste now sought Noreau, the old
time clerk of court, and, putting to
him the same interrogatories, received
the like responses.
And 10 due course, on proof OF hand
writing delivered oy Father Grhe and
Lucien Noreau and OF death made by
Valsin Mouillot, the parish judge at
tsched his paraph and ordered to be
executed 'in all its parts and particu-
lars" the following instrument pro-
pounded by Evarlste as the last will