The Delta independent., 1910-05-27

en- to mere skin and bone. All the
life and virility of the man seemed to
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-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 senility when he shot
curt query at his only servant, an old
pioneer like himself, who sat in the
doorway stolidly cleaning 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 it from
side to side.
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.
ohdulHS ulS eyes lioL tie
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 mousse,
and as the sounds drew away Meleen
followed them with a hearkening,
rolling motion of the head infinitely
pathetic in it's 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, Phineas Carboy, 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 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.. Meleen," was the
response; knowing his man, Mr.. Car
boy wasted no words on formal con-
dolences or tame civilities.
"Un'erstand what l want done?"
was the next question.
Your telegram intimated that you
desired to give me instructions for
your last will and testament"
"Ir structions-yes-ye1l get enough
of I'll em!" with grim smile; but
want the thing fixed up this blessed
night. My times short, as y see. Can
y do twill 1t 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 | wuz
wuth, Carboy, If 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 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 wuth to a feiier I've niver
scent"
He shot a keen glaure 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 ,,e found?"
No, DON'T" 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 t Ameriky ten year
after did, an heard she wuz mar
ried an had a son. But I've forgotten
her husbands name If / iver knew 1t.
Ha'nt seen her since she wuz slip
of a girl. Course, she may be dead,
aa' 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.
Meleep shook his head. 81 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"