Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-10-08

Point one, Royce. Now, then, It was
not generally known, Royce, that the
Earl of Arrowhead was married. He
| married beneath him-out of pique,
they say-to annoy q woman who had
Tilted him. 1t was just like him. Any.
how, his wife and he did not agree.
They separated, Royce-but not before
child was born A daughter. Point
two
Royce nodded.
Il see."
Eyes; so that there were two rela-
tives nearer than Stuart Villiars."
Eyes, but the countess died, and the
daughter ALSO" said Royce.
Eyes; the countess died, l know,
and the daughter, so it was under
stood; but who saw her die-who bur-
led her? He didn't go to his wife's
funeral, he didn't go to his daughters
/ funeral-if she ever was buried. Any
body might have told him that they
were dead, and he would have
believed it-just because he wanted
! to-"
"Theji you think" said Royce, slow
ly, that the daughter is alive?''
mo" said old Craddock; 81 think
she is dead now; but don't think she
| died when he thought she did, and If
! she didn't all sorts of things might
have happened! She might have mar
ried-might have had a child If so,
| that child, supposing it to be alive
would be the natural heir to the Void
and the money, in place of Stuart
| Villiars. A short time before he died
! the old earl sent for me; 1t was an
urgent message, and it came from the
Void. / should have gone, but | was
| laid up with the cursed rheumatism
and couldn't move. When l did get
down there, the old man had flown
again. | wrote to him, offering to go
wherever he wished; but he wouldn't
have it. Simply said he had done the
business he wanted to see me about
for himself. and I needn't trouble.
Now, Royce. what was that business?
He wanted to make fresh will"
Royce looked incredulous.
Eyes, that was it! How do know
it? Well, | didn't know it, | guessed
it by the old mans movements. He
hadn't been to the Void for years. He
hadn't mentioned his wife's name for
years. What does he do when he gets
down to the place? Shuts himself up
in the library, sleeps in the room
where he and his wife used to sleep;
has her portrait brought down from
the gallery, and placed on chair in
front of him, so that he can see it
where he sits. Spends the day moon.
ing about the old lumber rooms,
where the countess's dresses and
things have been pushed away, and
hastily-mark me, Royce-hastily
writes some document, with two OF
the servants as witness"
Royce smiled.
"a very pretty story" he said, but
1t is all guess work, and worth moth
ing. / am inclined to think that he
didn't make fresh WILL
Then for once your cleverness is al
fault Royce" retorted Craddock, trl
umphantly. For he did! | don't guess
this time-I know! Why? Because
he wrote to Stuart Villiars, telling him
that he meant to disinherit him. and
that he had left the property to one
more fully entitled to it."
For the first time the young mans
face was turned on Craddock with
sharp, open surprise.
"Ah," he said. How do you know
all this?'
81 saw the letter." said old Grad
dock, in hoarse whisper. Stuart
Villiars read 1t to me the other night
on the terrace of the Wold,"
Royce's keen eyes flashed.
you went there to"
The old man nodded.
ITO look for the last will--the will
the earl went down there to make; the
will he made with his wife's portrait
before him"
You found nothing at the Wold?"
Royce asked. his voice soft and
thoughtful
Mr. Craddock shook his head
Nothing. l was there for hours.
searched the library carefully. It had
been locked up after he left, and I'M
disturbed
I'm whose favor was this last will
made?"
"Ah," groaned the old man, "if we
could tell that"
you have found no one them" said
Royce.
mo one" responded Mr.. Craddock,
| gloomily. "The countess had daugh-
ter, there is no doubt about that; she
herself died, there is no doubt of that;
the daughter is supposed to have
| died"
There Is doubt of that?"
"Yes!" said the old man. suIlenly,
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