Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1904-07-25

had in the family. Plenty Of fools
and scamps, Hudsley, but no hypocrites
till this one. Well, he'll get his
deserts. I'd give a thousand pounds
to come back and hear the will read,
and see his face. He makes so sure
of it, too, the oily cell"
Stephen writhed like an eel, indeed,
and his lips blanched. Was the old
man delirious, or had he, Stephen,
really played the part of sycophant,
toady and boot-licker all these years
for nothing?
Great drops of sweat rolled down his
face, his tongue Glove to the roof of his
mouth, and his knees shook so that he
had to steady himself by holding the
curtain.
Yes, disappointed all. You don't
understand. You think that you
know everything. But no; trusted
you with a great deal, but not with all.
How dark it is! Hudsley, you are
an old man; don't finish up like-like
this. Only one soul IN the wide
world is sorry that I'm going, and he's
a fool. Poor Jack! remember"
Then followed, half inaudibly, a
string of names belonging to the COM
panions of his youth. Most of them
were dead and forgotten by him until
this hour, when he was about to join
their shades.
"Ah, the old time! the old time. But
-but-what was it was saying? II
-Hudsley-quick! for Heavens
sakel 1.-The key-the key"
Stephen came round, in his eager
ness risking recognition.
THE key" he asked, so hoarsely
that his voice might well be taken for
an old mans. What key?"
"Feel-under my pillow!" gasped
Ralph Davenant. .... q.
Stephen thrust his trembling hand
under the pillow, and, with a leap of
the heart, felt key.
THE safe!" murmured a faltering
voice "The bottom drawer. Bring
them to me! Quick!"
Stephen glided snake-like across the
room to a small safe that stood in re-
cess, opened the door, and with
trembling hands drew out the drawer.
His hands shook so, his heart beat 70
such an extent, that as a movement
in the next room struck upon his ears,
he could scarcely refrain from shrek
ing aloud; but it was only the nurse,
whom the old man would only allow to
enter the room at intervals; and set
ting his teeth hard, and fighting for
calm, Stephen took out two documents
One was a parchment of goodly pro
portions.
Both were folded and endorsed on
the back-the parchment with the in
scription, Last will and testament Of
Ralph Davenant, Gent, Jan. IS"
With eyes that almost refused to do
their task, Stephen turned the other
paper to the light, and read, will,
July IS" This inscription was writ
ten in an old mans hand-the parch-
ment was engrossed as usual
Two wills! The one-the parchment,
however, was useless; the other-the
sheet of foolscap-was the last
Well rose the voice from the bed,
hollow and broken, have you got
them?"
Stephen came up and stood behind
the curtain, and held the wills up.
Eyes, yes" he said. "The first is
is in whose favor?"
The old man struggled for breath
White. breathless himself with the
agony of anxiety and fear-for any mo-
ment someone might enter the room
Stephen stood staring beside him. He
dared not undo the tapes and glance
at the wills, in case of Interruption
dared not conceal them, for Hudsley
might appear on the scene. With the
wills clasped in his hand, he stood and
waited.
The faintness passed-old Ralph re-
gained his voice.. ....
lone is parchment-the other is pa
per- The parchment one you drew
up; you know its contents-I want it
destroyed, or, stay keep it. 1t will
add to the deceitful hounds disappoint-
ment. The other-ah, my God-it is
too late-Hudsley, there is a cruel his
tory in that paper. No hand but mine
could pen it. But-but-I have done
justice Too late!-why do you say
too late? Why do you mock dying
man? Mind, Hudsley, trust to you.
1t is sound will, made in sound body
-and-mind. Don't leave that hypo-
critical hound a chance of setting it
aside. l trust to you. Stop, better
burn the first will; burn it here now
now" and in his excitement he actual
~ raised his head Raised it to let
it drop upon the pillow again with
exhaustion.
Stephen stood and glared, torn this
way and that by doubt and uncertain
ty.
Justice" he whispered hoarsely.
"The first will, my will leaves all to
ITO that hound Stephen!" gasped
the old man. 81 did it in a weak mo-
ment and repented Of it, Leaves all
to him; but not now"