New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-11

n telegram. meaning 70 send that discreet tire
woman for Yvonne, yet twice changed her mind,
As the hour fixed by Bennett drew near she
felt more reconciled TO Yvonne's prolonged alb
ssnos. She was beginning TO realize the perplexi-
Hes and endorsements TO which her daughter
was being subjected daily.
The lawyer was first to arrive. II am glad OF
the opportunity Of having word with you In
prtvate," he said. "of course you are acquainted
with tho disposition your husband made OF his
estate but Rupert Fosdyke may be disagreeaoly
surprised If he protests do not be drawn INTO
argument. Please leave matters in my hands
"Am to say nothing at III" she demanded
Nothing controversial. II he busters and
asks questions refer him 10 me-"
ale knows already that Walter viewed his
what shall I call them social entanglements-
with dsfavor?'
dyes For all that, he may be hoping for more
than he will get"
"Wouldn't it be wise TO soften the blow py an
act Of voluntary generosity"
Bennett shook his head. at would be construed
r,tbor 90 weakness than as strength" he said.
"Fosdyke is not poor. On S1O'OOO a year man
can live very comfortably, even in society. An
extra couple of thousand will keep his hunters
or yrn q car. No, Mrs Carmac; your husbands
intentions are set forth very clearly and ad-
yiss you not to depart from them In tho slightest
particular"
Five o'clock came and passed. but Fosdyke did
not put In an appearance. They waited ten min
ute. and the lawyer was about 20 suggest that
the will should be read without more delay when
n bastv step on the stairs and an imperative knock
on the door announced the Grant ones advent
He apologized gracefully enough. 81 went for
q stroll" he said "and missed my way In the
dark. hope I have not kept you waiting%
at did not matter, Rupert" said Mrs. Carmac.
DWELL. now that we have come together, suppose
we get to business" said the lawyer christening
a brief bag and extracting from its depths a bulky
parchment. He began reading at once Mrs Car
mac sat very still, listener whose thoughts hard
~ kent mace with the loud-sounding legal jargon
Fosdyke, however, followed every word attentive
~. First in order was long list Of requests TO
various institutions and legaces or annultes TO
servants. Annuities of $4,000 a year to each Of
Cerrnac's two nicces succeeded Then came per-
sonsl reference:
"To nv nephew, Rupert Fosdyke, give and be-
oueath the sum Of $500 per annum during MS
life This sum is to be increased TO SlO'VOO per
annum on his marriage, provided that such mar
rage take place within two years after my deatn'
unless a postponement is rendered necessary by
unavoidable circumstances which the trustees OF
this my will shall deem sufficient cause for an ex-
tension Of the said period Of two years. and pro
vided also that the said trustees shall approve OF
the person he narries. Such approval should not
bo withheld unreasonably; but nothing IN THIS
testament shall be regarded as interfering with or
controlling the absolute discretion OF the sald
trustees"
There was no hint Of tremor or emphasis IN
Bennett's tone az he recited that onerous clause
He treated Fosdyke's legacy with the same sang
froid he had displayed in detailing bequest OF
$50 per annum to an aged gardener attached to the
Surrey mansion.
But the despoiled heir dubbed into instant
frenzy. lie could hardly believe his cars when the
amount was disclosed. The generous treatment of
his sisters prepared him for at least five times the
sum they would receive, and his sallow face grew
livid when he knew that the dead mans hand still
retained its grip
He casped something; but the lawyer promptly
raised his voice with the air Of a man who was
not 10 be stayed in an important undertaking be-
cause Of an incensed legatee. Thereafter FosdyAe
paid little heed. He understood, it is true, that
the whole Of the residue Of the real and personal
estate was left Internationally to my dear wife,
Stella Carmac" and that the said Stella Carmac'
John Carruthcrs Bennett and the public trustee
we're named as trustees, with the ordinary pro-
visions as to the appointment Of successors.
But these things reached his senses through
haze OF fury and disappointed greed He was al
most beside himself with rage. Two thousand
five hundred dollars year! This slight woman
IN black. sitting there downcsst and melancholy,
would have al command an income OF quarter
OF a million! Bitter as were his thoughts toward
his urcles widow, he was even more enraged
with the SNUG lawyer II murder would have
served his purpose, Fosdyke was In a mood to
choke the life out Of the gray haired man whose
voice had droncd out that sentence Of almost com
plete accommodation.
"Can have a copy Of that precious screed7"
he said And II each word had been a poison
timed arrow Bennett would have died sudden
and painful death.
"A copy Of any will Of which probate is granted
in England can be obtained by application at
Somerset House." said the lawyer, calmly; but
in this instance, as you are Interested, see no
reason why. with Mrs. Carmacs consent an I'M
certified copy should not be supplied from my
Office"
az am not thinking Of contesting IT," went on
Fogdvke. bitterly. 81 have no doubt tina: the rob
berry has been carried out in accordance with the
law"
"You have been aware Of your uncles views
during the last four years, Mr. Fosdyke-why do
Won now resent their clear and final enunciation?
cane the cold Unconditional comment
Fosdyke rose. He would have gone had not
Mrs. Carmac stayed him. She too stood up and
came nearer She was dcathly pale, her lips
tyombled and she spoke at first with difficulty
@Wbatever the consequences, cannot let you