News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-04-23

seem the basest of crimes. He had
sought to make her life one of virgin
widowhood or religious seclusion. The
plain animus was to battle the suit
which he anticipated that Evariste
would press. The latter would not ad-
NIT that his passion was unknown to
Horace. How was this stroke to be
parted? Now, if ever, was the crisis
out of which his boosted cunning, the
gift of his Latin ancestors, should bear
him victorious. What was this weapon
used against his life's life? What was
the character of an Geographic will?
What was his status without the will,
no living person but himself having
seen it?
He dared not consult lawyer. No
one of the craft known to him possess
ed the degree of secretiveness to in
vite his trust. Rising and borrowing
strength from a decanter of brandy, he
took down the civil code of Louisiana
and, turning over the leaves, every one
of which bore the pen notes and thumb
marks of his brother, rested his eyes
upon these lines:
Article 1881 The Geographic testament is that
which is written by the testator himself. In or
der to be valid it must be entirely written, dated
and signed by the testator. 1t is subject to no
other form and may be made anywhere, out
of the state.
Article 1913. The Geographic testament shall be
| opened II it be sealed, and it must be acknowl-
edged and proved by the declaration of two cred
lille persons, who must attest that they recognize
| the testament being entirely written, dated
and signed in the testator's handwriting, as hav-
ing often him write and sign during his
lifetime.
"The perfection of simplicity" Eva
riste muttered. land from all the forms
o. testament allowed by the law he
has deliberately selected this one for
my discontinue. Shall | suffer it to
wreck my hopes? Shall not strange
it before it sees the light? What would
! be the effect of that? Let me look fur
! Their"
Delving again into the code, he found
that he,- though only half brother,
would have inherited the whole estate
to the exclusion Of other collateral
heirs had Horace died intestate.
"Oh, Horace, you stupid American
dolt," he soliloquized gloatingly, ito
| leave in my hands this cursed instru-
ment Of your i'll will and expect me to
turn it upon myself-to commit suicide
with it! You never understood me-
You never tried to understand me. 1t
is too droll. Between me and success
stands only this flimsy barrier. erected
by a stoid mind, and away 1t vanishes
In smoker
He seized the will and struck
match. when he was startled by
sharp knock at his door.
Throwing away the match and
thrusting the will into his pocket, he
demanded:
"Who is there"
at is l." Mrs. Wyley answered. "a
letter has been brought by a messen-
ger, who says an immediate answer is
required"
He opened the door and received the
following note:
Come to Dede's at once. Matters Of Importance
require consideration and action now.
QUnLEBERr.
"Tell the messenger, please, that l
will come" he said to Mrs. Wyley, and
then to himself: Perhaps this is for
tunate. 1t may be we'll for me to
breathe fresh air and get back to the
normal, possibly to consult Quillebert,
before taking steps which could never
be retraced. He is an expert on all
matters of ais complexion"
He was soon at the cabaret and seat
ed in the rear room with Quillebert.
81 have news for you," said the lat
ter.
Tell It,"
"The Latiolais girl wants to become
a nun"
"She will forego that wish when l
make her realize the consequences to
her grandfather"
"You are still resolved on that?"
"More infexibIy than ever"
"Then l have other news"
"Tell it," ~
"Ycur brother left a will"
Evariste paled and exclaimed:
"Who says SOP
"Valsin Mouillot."
GLOW does he know"
"Your brother told him he had left
his will with YOU
A cold moisture bathed Evaristes
brow.
Moreover, he made the same state
ment to the priest Grhe the day before
he went away. But neither of them
knows its dispositions" continued
Quillebert. "The people will expect
you to produce it soon"
"My God" said Evariste. realizing
the futility Of denying the existence of
the testament and his need of an adj
wiser. "Your summons came in the
nick of time to save me from ruin"
GLOW SOP" asked Quillebert.
81 was on the point of burning the
testament" ,-~aagsa.
"Why"
Because it divides the estate evenly
between Estelle and me-"
"Honcw grunted Quillebert. maybe
that is an intimation of his wish that
she should marry with you"
"No. 1t was intended to make her
his widow and fortify her against the