Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-15

was left solely in charge 80,
The office of Durham & Son-the firm still
retained the old title although the son alone
owned the business-was near Chancery Adne
large antique house which had been the resi-
dence of noble during the reign OF the Georges
Mr. Durhams own room overlooked laTge
square filled with ancient trees and INTO uhls
Sir Simon and his nephew were ushered, ana
here they were greeted by the Young lawyer,
81 hope l see you well, Sir Simon? said Dur
ham, shaking bands. e., G..
'T am aswell as be expected, SAID or
Simon, grumpily taking his seat near the table,
"About that will of mine q,
"Yes?" inquired Durham, sitting, with a
glance at Beryl ri have had it drawn ont IN
accordance with your instructions. 1t is reaoy
for signing"
II can go, uncle, ii you wish" said Julius,
hastily, and rose. my
"Sit down." commanded the old man. "You
are interested in the will" :,
"All the more reason | should not near IL
read" said Julius, still on his feet.
Sir Simon shrugged his shoulders and turned
his back on his too particular nephew 1et
the will, Durham, and read it,
The will was brought carefully engrossed on
parchment and Durham rustled the great sheets
as he resumed his seat. "You wish me to read
it all?" he asked hesitatingy.
Sir Simon nodded, and, leaning his chm on
the knob of his cane disposed himself to listen.
Beryl could not suppress an uneasy movement
which did not escape his uncle's notice, and he
smiled in a grim way. Durham, without further
preamble read the contents of the will, clearly
and deliberately, without as much as glance
in the direction of the person Interested This
was julius, and he grew pale with pleasure as
the lawyer proceeded.
The will provided legaces for old servants
but no mention was made of Mrs. Giroy The
bulk of the property was left to julius Beryl
on condition that he married Lucy Kan
dolpb, for whom otherwise no provision was
made. The name of Bernard Gore was left out
altogether.
the reading with close attention "Wel!' he
asked his nephew.
Reryl stammered "I hardly know how to
thank you. ] am not worthy"
-there-there!" said the old man
tartly owe understand all that. Can you sug-
gest any alteration"
"No, uncle The will is perfect"
"What do you think, Durham?" said Gore,
with dry chuckle
'rI think" said the lawyer, his eyes still on the
FIRE, "that some provision should be made for
your grandson. He has been taught to consider
himself your heir, and has been brought up in
that expectation. It is hard that, at his age, ne
should be thrown the world for"
For disobedience," put in Beryl, meekly.
Sir Simon chuckled again. Yes, for dlsobe-
dience You are not aware Durham, that Ber-
nard wants to marry a girl who has no name
and no parents, and no money-the companion OF
grabbed old cat called Miss Plantagenet."
"Why can't you let him marry the woman
he loyes?" said Durham, with some heat
"Tbey can live on ten thousand year and be
happy What is the use of getting more money
Than is needed? Besides, from what 1 hear this
Miss Malleson is charming girl -,
"rWith no name and no position" said Sir
Simon, "a mere paid companion. L don't want
hoI ntoh he
does, he must take the consequences. And he
"certainlv he will" said Beryl. anxious about
the signing of the will. "He has been hard
hearted for months, and shows no signs of CIV
inc in. Since ! am to inherit the money 1 viii
allow Bernard two hundred year. or such sun
as Sir Simon thinks fit"
"rT1ro hundred is quite enough" said the baro
nH 'Mr. Durham, we will see now about sign
ing this will"
"T think l had better go now," observed Ju
lius, rising. .,.,
l .'No. uncle think it is better, as inherit
that 7 should be out of the room. Who knows
hut what Bernard might say. did remain, tina
:. I exercised undue influence"
i While Julius was induging in these thoughts
Sir Simon had taken up the will to glance ovel
IT, He also requested Durham to send the clerl
a away for a few moments. Rather surprised tn,
+ LAWYER did so thinking the old changeable
i When alone with his legal adviser the barone
e walked to the fire and thrust the will into it
s Durham could not forbear an ejaculation of sur
e prise whats that for?"
r "To punish julius" said Sir Simon, placidl!
+ returning to his seat, as though he had dom
o nothing out of the way. "He is mean sneak
He told me about Bernard being in love will
o that girl so as to create trouble"
j., "But YOU don't approve of the match?"
g "No. I certainly do not, and daresay tina
when I insisted on Bernard marrying Miss PERI.
+ that the truth would have come out. All tn
q same it was none of BeryPs business to max
mischief. Besides, he is sly creature, and if
,, made the will in his favor, who knows but wha
he might not contrive to get me out of tn
:. way?" =,
% "But, Sir Simon" argued the lawyer, "b
n letting him think the will is made in his favor
n Won have placed him in the very position which
e according to you, night lead to his attempt t
e "I'i take care of myself" said the old mar
e somewhat inconsistently, for certainly he wa
IS acting differently from what he said "By tn
t wav, you have the other will?'
dyes! 1t leaves everything to Bernard say
# the legacies, which remain much the same. c
i. course, in the first will is mentioned an annuit
to Mrs Gilroy."
Sir Simon after this refused to discuss his err
r. ing grandson. However, it was just when tn
old man was going that Durham reverted to tn
T. bone of contention, 81 wish you would let n
It tell Bernard that you are well disposed towar
70 him"
'T.eave matters as they are. have asce
# tanned that he won't go to the war for six week
r. Julius found that out for me, so walt till he
on the eve of sailing. Then we'll see If not
d. inq else will keep him at home I'll make
nj nm But l think a little hardship will do hi
f. good"