Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-04-24


two. | empticd my cup, and rose to join
my visitor in the next room.
In that moment it struck me that had
left the draft of the old will on the
office table beside the sheet of fresh fool
soap. / went on tiptoe to the door and
peeped through the green taffety blind.
Lynn Yeames was standing by the table,
looking round him curiously; could see
him distinctly, but he could not see me,
by reason of the light from the Office win
dow falling on the blind Quickly he
caught up the draft, and ran his eye down
it.
Now this, being only draft, had neith-
er date nor signature, and he must have
jumped at once to the conclusion that it
was the copy of will l was about to
draw up; and seeing that by this draft all
Flexmore's money was left to Awdrey, it
must have convinced him that this instru-
ment was intended to revoke that will
which / had led him to believe was made
in his favor.
The sheet fell from his hand he stoop-
ed hastily, picked it up, and replaced it
on the table. l moved a chair, made a
clatter with an empty plate as if were
just rising from nv lunch, then l opened
the door and entered my Office briskly.
Lynn Yeames was seated at some dis
tance from the table, looking pale.
How do you do, sir?" said l. "You
don't look quite yourself this morning."
Il am upset; my uncle is in a critical
condition. don't know whether you
know it. l came over to tell you-I
thought you ought to know, in case there
was any legal matter to arrange"
"As it happens, there is a very impor-
tant matter to arrange. l have just
come back from Flexmore House-you
heard nothing there? Well-of course l
can place confidence in you, Mr..
Yeames"
II give you my word of honor that
you may depend upon my secrecy" he
hastened to assure me.
Good, sir. l trust to your honor.
Your uncle is about to revoke his will"
And glanced significantly at the papers
on the table. II assure you," continued,
II have done all in my power to persuade
him to the contrary"
"Of course you have, in your own in
terest," said he savagely.
"One must consider ones own interests
sometimes; and after having had the
management of the estate for so many
years"
What on earth has induced him to re-
woke it?" he asked, taking very slight
pains to conceal his chagrin.
II believe he has been considerably in
fuenced by DR.. Awdrey."
"Dr. Awdrey?" he exclaimed. what
has he been talking about?"
WELL" said l, still with a good deal
of sham hesitation, 81 believe you were
indiscreet enough to inform him that you
had proposed to, and been accepted by,
Miss Dalrymple."
ITO what use has the rascal put that
knowledge?" he asked.
1--WE must not call DR.. Awdrey a ras-
cal, SIR" said l. "All of us have our own
interests to look after. And really DR..
Awdrey's case is plausible enough"
II don't understand, you; what do you
mean?" he asked sharply.
You see it's almost an open secret: at
any rate the fact has for some time been
known to DR.. Awdrey, that my old friend
Flexmore wished Miss Dalrymple to mar
ry the doctor-one of those curious fads
that invalids occasionally take up l
don't know if you have ever remarked"
go on, go on, for goodness sake ~ he
exclaimed, interrupting me impatiently.
We'll, sir, lately it has been obvious
that Flexmore's daughter Laure has form
ed very strong attachment for Miss Dal-
rymple-a most extraordinary attach
ment."
Yes, know all about that. Go on"
well, you see it is obvious that Miss
Dalrymple cannot marry both you and
DR. .Awdrey; while, at the same time, it
is equally evident that were you the
child's guardian, and from any unfore-
seen accident you might alter your inten-
tion with regard to matrimony, Miss Dal-
rymple could only marry DIR. Awdrey by
separating herself from the child Laure"
"But then l could be trustee to the
child's fortune, and leave her guardian
ship to Miss Dalrymple, couldn't I?'
"Oh, certainly, if there were time to
persuade your uncle to such an arrange
ment, which," l added, with a profound
sigh, IL fear there is not"
He turned his back upon me and going
to the window, looked out into the thick
grey mist, while l, with two or three little
coughs, seated myself at the table, and be-
gan laboriously to draw up the new will,
my spectacles low down on my nose, and
one hand on the old draft, which l fire.
quently consulted.
How long will you be before you take
that thing up to the house to be signed?
asked Lynn Yeames, who as l lifted my
eyes, | found was regarding me attentive
ly.
"Dr. Awdrey was good enough to lend
me his gig that no time should be lost
and, If all goes well, shall be at Flex-
more's house at half-past two-near as
possible
He drew his hat little lower over his
brows, and quilted my Office without
word. AS the door slammed, laid down