The Somerset reporter., 1909-08-19
CHAPTER l.


I'LL stimulating, to say the least, In
applicable though the express
49, sion may seem. He attained
the end of hale old age by tumbling
aimlessly into the mouth of crater on
the island Of Japat somewhere In the
mysterious south seas. The world had
quite thoroughly forgotten him during
the twenty odd years Immediately pre-
ceding his death. 1t was, however,
nouceably worth while to remember
him at this particular time. He left
a last will and testament that babe
fair to distress as well as starte a
great many people on both sides Of the
Atlantic.
In Boston the law firm of Bowen &
Hare was puzzling itself beyond reason
in the effort to anticipate and circum-
vent the plans of the firm Of Bosworth,
Newnes & Grapewin. London, q. c..
while on the other side of the Atlantic
Messrs Bosworth, Newnes Il Grape
win were blindly struggling to do pre-
Messrs. Bowen & Hare.
Without seeking to further involve
myself / shall at once conduct the
reader to the nearest of these law Of
fees.
Pretty badly tangled, | declare, p"
said Mr.. Hare, staring helplessly at
his senior partner.
"Hopelessly," agreed MIR, Bowen,
very much as If he had at first intend
ed to groan.
Before them on the table lay the con-
tents of bulky envelope, long and
stupendous letter from their London
correspondents and with 1t copy of
Taswell Skaggs' will. Mr.. Bowen re-
Gently had been named as Joint execu-
tor Of the will, together with Sir John
Allencrombie of London, w. c., one
time neighbor of the late Mr.. Skaggs.
A long and exasperating cablegram
had touched somewhat irresolutely
upon the terms of the will, besides
notifying him that one of the heirs re-
sided In Boston. He was instructed
to apprise this young man of his good
fortune.
There was one very important, per-
haps imposing, feature In connection
with the old gentleman's will-he was
decidedly sound of mind and body
when it was uttered.
When such astute lawyers as Bowen
& Hare give up to amazement, the
usual forerunner Of CONSERVATION, 1t Is
high time to regard the case as star
thing.
Read 1t again, Bowen"
THE will?"
mo; the letter"
Whereupon Mr.. Bowen again read
aloud the letter from Bosworth,
Newnes & Grapewin. this time slow
ly and speculatively.
"They seem as much upset by the
situation as we," he observed refiec-
lively.
Extraordinary state Of affairs.
must say"
"And / don't know what to do about
1t. don't even know how to begin.
They're both married"
"And not to each other"
"She's the wife of a Lord knows
what Of lord. and he's married to an
uncommonly fine girl, they say, not
withstanding the fact that she has
larger social aspirations than he has
means"
"And If that all important clause In
The will Is not carried out to the let
ter the whole fortune goes to the bow
vows"
practically the same thing. He
calls them natives that's all. II
looks to me as though the bowwows
Will get the old mans millions.
don't see how anything short of Prov
idence can alter the situation"
Thank heaven, Bowen, he names
you as executor, not me-"
II shall decline to serve. It's an
impossible situation, Hare. In the
first place, Skaggs was not an init
mate friend Of mine. / met him In
Constantinople Eve years ago and AFT
erward handled some business for him
in New York. He had no right to
impose upon me as IT,
but why should you hesitate? You
have only to wait for the year to roll
by and then turn your troubles over to
the natives. Young Browne can't
-, n rrv Mice Drthvon IN afda Of n vaar