The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1903-05-28
My Uncle's Test.
BY MILAN M'LEOD RAINE.

My cousin, George Vardon, was the
first to break. "The man must have
been mad he exclaimed
1T is such a strange will If I I'M
derstand it, his immense property is
cut into halves, of which my cousin,
Nora, receives one part and the other is
to be divided between Mr.. Harold War
ing and myself" continued George
.Vardon.
"Quite right" assented the lawyer.
''Bu6 in the event Of the death of
Miss Mort Waring within one hour OF
the reading Of this testament the en-
tire property is to so u Souna an or
,phan asylum; not only her pr rortlon put
ours as well. In the event of the wsatA
iof either M. 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
yive the hour, the property willed to Us
becomes ours Internationally. Am I
rfght?''
Right again. Mr.. Vardon," answered
Mr.. PREF, the lawyer.
: But why this absurd provision
about our sudden death within the
hour? I assure you''-with a nervous
little Taught have no immediate in
tention OF giving up the ghost, Miss
Nora looks superbly healthy, and Mr..
Harold Waring is at least not an in
Valid
Il can't explain the will at all. The
old gentleman had queer fancies gath
cred during his long sojourn in India.
But you may depend upon it that he
no 0r,t
is absolutely valid l drew it up my
self, and there is no possible flaw in it.
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 Is minutes. You will find upon
the floor q cgrved box which one OF
you is to opel It may possibly be
that in that box there may be some ex-
planation Of the terms Of the will. 1
have the honor to wish you Very good
day and long life to enjoy your prop
erty." With which Mr.. Brief bowed
himself out of the room.
My uncle had amassed large prop
erty in India, where he had led very
curious life, being familiar with very
mixed company of natives and whites.
His confidential valet, Lal Singh, was a
man of such varied accomplishments
that I never found him looking at me
without feeling the creeps shiver down
my back.
I, Nora Waring, was the favOrite of
the three kinsfolk who were left my
uncle upon his return to America. He
was absurdly fond of me, and in con-
tinual fear lest | should make an I'M
happy marriage to some man unworthy
of me. AS to his nephews, who were
also my cousins. had never been able
to find out whether he liked them or
not. Often l had observed him looking
curiously at them, and then anxiOusly
at me. for my cousins were patiently, II
not yet confessedly, admirers of mine.
He was always quite civil to them both
and very generous in his gifts to them,
but what his secret feelings were had
never fathomed. Sometimes it had
seemed to me that I had seen him
chuckle when he looked at the sedate,
careful George Vardon or the reckless,
devil-may-care Harold Warning, much
as if he had some surprises arranged
for them in the future.
] do not know what curious fancies
passed through the minds of my cou-
sins as the automatic lock of the blue
room clicked behind us, but I confess
that for my part | was ready to con-
ceive all manner of Borgia devices
From the puzzled, strained look on the
handsome face of George, | knew he
was worrying over the situation. AS
for Harold Waring, he strobe in with
his usual easy, debonnair cavalry
swing, looking every in the soldier and
gentleman. I glanced swiftly from one
TO the other, and for the life of me
could not tell which / liked the better
Before left the blue room Is minutes
later | knew which | loved and which
! desDised.
The room was bare of all furniture
save a roller top desk and small
table in one corner, on the top Of each
of whic lay a cane walking stick. The
carved box mentioned in the will stood
on the floor in an opposite corner.
LET Nora open the box It will be
something for her to remember wher
we laugh about it in the future" sug
gested George.
We walked over together to the box
and | was about to turn the key wher
Harold Waring thrust me roughly tt
one side, struck by some sudden i'm.
pulse of danger.
mo, no, Nora! Let me-" he cried
and quickly turned the key.
The lid rose from the box before h
had time to touch it, and from beneath
1t slid out half dozen horrible fla,
heads and sinuous necks. l shriekef
aloud in terror and fed screaming
across the room to the door. But the
walls flung back my cries, and the dool
semed to mock my efforts to wrench i
open. I was in palsy of agony, ex
pecting every moment to feel thu
dreadful clutch of death fasten on me.
Courage, Nora, courage! Well wiz
through yet, little COUSIN" cried ;
tremulous voice in my ear.
The strong arm of Harold Warins
was wrapped about my waist and I fell
myself propelled toward the table. HI
lifted HE from the ground and leapet
across reptile which barred the way
George Vardon was already GOVERN;
on the table, beside himself with terror
all manhood gone. His face was asher
gray, and his limbs shook beneath him
keep backi" he screamed. "Ther
is no room for more. and / got her