The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-04
MY UNCLE'S TEST.

When the dry voice of the little law
yer died away we three beneficiaries by
the will stood amazed, astounded at its
peculiar provisions.
My cousin, George Vardon, was the
first to break the silence.
THE man must have been mad" he
exclaimed.
1T is such a strange will. If under
stand it, his immense property is cut
into halves, of which my cousin, Nora,
receives one part, and the other is to be
divided between ME-. Harold Warning
and myself" continued George Vardon.
quite right assented the lawyer.
But in the event of the death of Miss
Nora Waring within one hour of the
reading of this testament the entire
property is to go to found an orphan
asylum; not only her portion, but ours
as we'll In the event of either the
death of ME-. Harold Waring or myself
within the same time his portion is TO
be added to the share of Nora, and is
to become hers In case all three sur
vive the hour, the property wiiled to US
become ours Internationally Am I
right?''
Fright again. Mr.. Vardon," answered
Mr.. Brief, the lawyer.
But why this absurd provision about
our sudden death within the hour? |
assure you''-with nervous taught
have no immediate intention OF giving
up the ghost, Miss Nora looks superbly
healthy and Mr.. Harold Warlng IS at
least not an invalid
II cannot explain the will at all. The
old gentleman had queer fancies gath
cred during his long sojourn in India.
But YOU may depend upon 1t that he
was quite sane and that the testament
is absolutely valid / drew 1t up my
self. and there is no possible nav IN II
Let me call your attention again to an
other peculiar provision in the Will.
You three are to go at once into the
blue room, close the door and remain
there fifteen minutes You VIII nno
rr,on the floor a carved box, which one
of YOU is to open. 1t may possibly ne
that in that box there may be some
explanation of the terms OF the viii.
| have the honor to wish you very
good day and long life to enjoy your
prosperity
with which Mr. Brief bowed him
self out of the ROOM
Ny uncle had amassed large PROF
erty in India. where he had led a very
curious life, being familiar with very
mixed company of natives and whites
His confidential valet, Lal Singh, was
man of such varied accomplishments
that [ never found him looking at me
without feeling the creeps shiver down
my back. ..... oe
the three kinsfolk who were left my
uncle upon his return to England he
was absurdly fond of me, and in con-
tinual fear lest I should make an I'M
happy marriage to some man unworthy
of me. 49,.
cousins. / had never been able to find
ol1t whether he liked them or not
often 1 had observed him looking curl
o1sly at them. and then anxlousiy, Tor
my cousins were patiently, IL Ho1 con-
fessedly, admirers of mine
do not know what curious fancies
passed through the minds of my cousins
as the automatic lock of the piue room si
Il I CONFESS
for nv part / was ready to conceive
All manner of Borgia devices. From the
puzzled. strained look on the handsome
face of George. L knew ne was worry
ing over the situation.
As for Harold Waring, he STROBE IN
with his easy debonnaire swing, look
ing every inch the soldier and gentie-
man.
save a desk and a small table in one
corner on the top of each of which lay
a cane walking stick. The carved box
mentioned in the will stood on the noor
in an opposite corner
Let Nora omen the box 1t will be
something for her to remember when
we laugh about il in the future. sug-
gested George.
and I was about to turn the key when
Harold Warning thrust me roughly on
one side, struck by some sudden inn
pulse of danger.
and quickly turned the key.
The lid rose from the box before he
had time to touch it. and from beneath
it slid out half-dozen horrible fiat
heads and sinuous necks 1 shrieked
aloud in terror. and fed screaming
across the room to the door. But the
walls flung back my cries. and the door
seemed to mock my efforts to wrench
it omen. 1 was in a palsy of agony, ex-
pecting every moment to feel the dread
fu1 clutch of death fasten on me.
Courage Nora. couragei Wen be all
right, little cousin cried a tremulous
voice in my ear.
The strong arm of Harold Warning was
wrapped about my waist, and felt my
ed me from the ground and leaped
George Vardon was already covering on
the table, beside himself with terror. all
manhood gone. His face was ashcn
gray. and his limbs shook beneath him.
keep back" he cried. there is no
room for more. and got here first. Keep
back, curse you!"
He seized the cane which lay on the
table and struck out wildly at US. Har-
cid warded it aside and lifted me to the
table
There is room for two he said and
il there was room for only one. that one
should be Nora, you cowardi''
Jump. Harold" I cried. Jump
He ieaped aside just in time to avoid