Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1910-06-03

life and virility of the man seemed 10
have retreated to the massive head,
as beleaguered forces take refuge IN
some strong keep for last desperate
rally. From beneath a square fore
head and a thatch of grizzled eye
brows a pair of piercing gray-biue
eyes flashed imperiously, while from
the heaving chest there still issued
tones surprisingly strong for one so
evidently near his end. There was
no sign Of senility when he shot a
curt query at his only servant, an old
pioneer like himself. who sat in the
doorway stolidly cleaning a rifle, out
of sight but within call
Putty nigh time that lawyer fellow
was here, eh?'' said Andy over his
shoulder, striving vainly to raise his
head from the high-heaped cushions.
but only succeeding in moving 1t from
side to eide.
Evan rose and went to the railing
of the veranda, whence one could see
the winding road, scarcely more than
a well-trodden trail, which led from
the town to the house on the hill,
Shading his eyes from the binding
glare Of the nearly level sun rays, he
peered downward for some moments
before responding. Then, saying la
conically;
Jest comm up the rise" he re-
turned to his seat and his task.
Shortly there became audible the
soft thud of hoof-beats and the croak-
ing of straining leather, punctWed by
the cracking of a whip and the en-
couraging "cluck-cluck' of the driver.
The road curved behind the house,
and as the sounds drew away Meleen
followed them with a hearkentng,
rolling motion of the head infinitely
pathetic in its yearning helplessness
and impotence.
Soon there was the sound of foot
steps within the house, and there APP
peared upon the veranda the long-ex-
pected arrival, Phineas Carboy, a we'll
known San Francisco practitioner in
the law, whose firm had transacted
most of Andrew Meleens affairs since
he had been wealthy enough TO AFFORD
the luxury of eminent legal advice.
Never in his life had he needed it
more than now.
His eyes flashed with feYerish inn
patience as he responded to the law
yer's formal greetings Hardly was
he seated. note book In hand, than the
dying man raped out curtly
Are y ready?"
! Quite SO, Mr.. Meleen,' was the
response; knowing his man, Mr. Car
boy wasted no words on formal CON
dolences or tame ctvilitieG.
"Un'erstand what | want done?"
was the next question.
"Your telegram intimatad that you
desired to give me instructions for
your last will and testament
"Instructions-yes- get enough
of them!" with a grim smile; but
want the thing fixed up this blessed
night My times short, as y see. Can
y do twill it stand?"
Mr. Carboy nodded gravely, and
with pen ready poised looked ex-
pectantly at his client. But the lat
ter's next words were not exactly
those he anticipated
How much shd you say / wuz
wuth, Carboy, if everything wuz
cleaned up an turned into CASH." in
CURED the old man. The legal mind
hesitated, but only for an instant
twenty-five or thirty million dol
lars at the very least" was the quiet
reply.
81 guess that's about it. sighed
Andy Meleen Now, man, stick a pin
through this: I'm going to leave all
that I'm with to a Teller I've niver
scent"
He shot a keen glance at Mr.. Car
boy to judge of the effect Of this some
what startling announcement, but the
lawyer was too well trained to SHOW
any mark of surprise beyond slight
contracting and lifting of the eye
brows.
You know his name. | presume,
and where he can be found?'
NO, | don'tl" was the reply snapped
back; that's for you t. find out. This
is the way OF it: had an only sister
over there in tn old country named
Matte. She KEN { Ameriky ten year
after ! did, an | heard she wuz mar
ried an had a son. But I've forgotten
her husbands name if | liver knew it.
Ha'n't seen her since she wuz slip
| of a girl Course, she may be dead,
an the boy, too. though she wuz
younger'n me by four or five year; but
you've got to try an find EN-"
You never saw your sister after
she arrived in this country, and held
no communication whatever" asked
the lawyer, making notes.
Meleen shook his head Il wuz
| mighty poor myself in those days, Car
boy, an'-oh, well, I'd troubles of my
own, an then | drifted west an out
| here"
Where was this sister living when
| you last heard of herr"
| IN York"
How many years ago would that
| be?'