The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-05-26
uHcLE's TEST.


ries by the will stood amazed, astound.
ed at its peculiar provisions. My
cousin, George Vardon, was the first
to break the silence.
1'The man must have been mad, .
he exclaimed. ut is such strange
will. If understand it, his immense
property is cut into halves, of which
my cousin, Nora, receives one part,
and the other is to be divided between
Harold Waring and myself" contin-
ued George Vardon.
"Quite right" assented the law
yer.
''But in the event of the death oi
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,
bur ours as we'll. In the event OF
either the death of Harold Waring or
myself within the same time his por-
tion is to be added to the share of
Nora and is to become hers. In case
all three survive the hour the prop
erty willed to us becomes ours uncon-
ditionally. Am / right?"
Right again, Mr.. Vardon," an
swered Mr.. Brief, the lawyer.
''But why this absurd provision
about our sudden death within the
hour? I assure you" with a
nervous little laugh-"I have no i'm
mediate intention of giving up the
ghost, Miss Nora looks superbly
healthy, and Harold Waring is at
least not an invalid
ST cannot explain the will at all.
The old gentleman had queer fancies
gathered during his long sojourn in
India. But you may depend upon it
that he was quite sane and that the
testament is absolutely valid. Idrew
it up myself and there is no possible
flaw in it. Let me call your atten-
ton again to another peculiar provi-
sion in the will. You three are to go
at once into the blue room, close the
door, and remain there fifteen min
utes. You will find upon the floor a
carved box, which one of you is to
open. 1t may possibly be that in
that box there may be some exp1ana-
tion of the terms of the will. / have
the honor to wish you a very good
day and long life to enjoy your
property"
With which Mr.. Brief bowed him
self 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
man of such varied accomplishments
that / never found him looking at me
without feeling the creeps shiver
down my back.
1, Nora Waring, was the favorite
of the three kinsfolk who were left
my uncle upon his return to Eng
land. He was absurdly fond of me
and in a continual fear lest / should
make an unhappy 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 / had observed him look
ing curiously at them, and then anx-
iously, for my cousins were patiently,
if not confessedly, admirers of mine.
x X x x X
I do not know what curious fan
cies passed through the minds of my
cousins as the automatic lock of the
blue room clicked behind us, but I
confess that for my part I was ready
to conceive all manner of Borgia de-
vices. 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 easy, debonair
swing, looking every inch the soldier
and gentleman.
The room was bare of all furniture
save desk and small table in one
corner, on the top of each of which
lay cane walking stick. The carv-
ed 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
when we laugh about in the future, J"
suggested George.
We walked over together to the
box, and was about to turn the key
when Harold Waring thrust me
roughly to one side, struck by some
sudden impulse of danger.
t'No, no, Nora Let me !" he cried,
and quickly turned the key.
The lid rose from the box before
he had time to touch it, and from be-
meath it slid out half dozen horrible
fat heads and sinuous necks. !
shrieked aloud in terror and fled
screaming across the room to the
door. But the walls flung back my
cries and the door seemed to mock
nv efforts to wrench it open. / was
in palsy of agony, expecting every
moment to feel the dreadful clutch oi
death fasten on me.
Courage, Nora, courage! Well
be all right, little cousin" cried a
tremulous voice in my ear.
The strong arm of Harold Waring
was wrapped about my waist, and
J felt myself propelled toward the table
He lifted me from the ground and
leaped across reptile which barred
the way. George Vardon was already
covering on the table, beside himself
with terror, all manhood gone. Hi!
face was ashen gray and his limb:
shook beneath him.
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