Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1910-05-12


head and a thatch of grizzled eye-
brows a pair Of piercing gray.blue
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 s~enility when he shot a
curt query at his only servant, an old
pioneer like himself. who sat In the
doorway stolidly cleaning a rife, 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 igh.heaped cushions,
but only succeeding in moving 1t from
side to side.
Evan rose and went to the railing
of h veranda, whence one could see
the winding road, scarcely more than
a w%ell-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 creak-
ing of straining leather, punctured 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 h~earkening.
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 ap-
peared upon the veranda the long-eX'
pected arrival. Phincas Carboy, a we'll
known San Francisco practitioner In
the law, whose firm had transacted
most of Andrew Melccn's affairs since
he had been wealthy enough to afford
the luxury of eminent legal advice.
Never in his life had he needed 1t
more than now.
His eyes flashed with ~feverish i'm
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.. Mcleen," was the
response; knowing his man, Mr.. Car.
boy wasted no words on formal con
dolences or tame civilities.
Understand what | want done?'
was the next question.
your telegram intimated that you
desired to give me instructions for
your last will and testament"
"Instructions-yes-yeIl 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 sh'd you say | wu2
wuth. Carboy, II everything wuz
cleaned up an turned into cash?" in
quired 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 quie'
reply.
II guess that's about it," sighet
Andy Meleen. Now, man. stick a PHI
through this: I'm going to leave al
that I'm with to a Teller I've nive,
scent"
lie shot a keen glance at Mr., Car
boy to Judge of the effect of this some
what startling announcement, but tn
lawyer was 100 well trained to shoy
any mark of surprise beyond a Sigh
contracting and lifting of the eye
brows.
you know his name, presume
and where he can be found?'
mo, ! DON'T" was the reply snappe
back; that's for you t find out. Thi
Is the way of IL: ! had an only siste
over there In tn old country name
Matte. She KEN t Ameriky ten yea
after / did, an | heard she wuz ma
ried an had a son. But I've forgotte
her husbands name If | liver knew /
liant seen her since she wuz a sill
of q girl. Course. she may be dea'
an the boy, too. though she WI
%younger'n me by four or five year; b.
you've got to try an find IN
You never saw your sister aftt
! she arrived in this country, and he
no communication whatever" askt
the lawyer, making notes.
1 AI-Iu-- IL. AAAA ca 81