Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1917-12-29
| THE MISSING WILL
BY MARIE HAMMOND.

well, my children, I've made my
WILL"
Boyd Hartley looked interested and
his wife, Nettie, curious. Both, how
ever, were too eager to welcome their
visitor to think of anything outside of
kindly attentions. Boyd helped his
wife's uncle remove his Overcoat, while
! Nettie placed his tall silk hat and cane
upon the hat rack.
"Yes, sir" resumed Uncle william
Cass, as they led him into the bright
J and cOzy sitting room and he shifted
the evening meal appetizingly. 81 just
I went to Mr.. Byrd, my lawyer, and had
| the matter settled once for ALL"
Ever since they were married, every
Tuesday evening Mr.. Cass had come to
visit his dead wife's niece and her
husband. He would take supper with
| them and usually stay all night. Boyd
was not earning large salary, and ev-
cry Wednesday the old man would re-
turn the compliment by sending them
a hamper of provisions. The evening
passed in the pleasant home of the at
him unseliishly, was II marked event
I'm the routine of Uncle william. He
seemed happy and relieved, almost
jolly, upon this special evening. He
declared that supper had never tasted
so good, and when Nettie placed him In
the most comfortable arm chair in the
house and started the talking machine,
h. nj Il ttvh Of
comfort and peaceful enjoyment.
I'll help Nettie get the dishes out
of the way, uncle" said Boyd, $50 we
can be together right away" and
joined his wife I'm her usual task.
Brisk and active, Nettie had her part
Of the work done before her less able
assistant had finished putting away the
knives and forks. She removed her
apron and ran into the sitting room.
"Now for Il nice evening, uncle"
Boyd heard her say, and then there
was a wild scream.
"What is 1t. Nettie!" spoke Boyd.
startled.
"Oh, Boyd Come here! Come here !"
| gasped Nellie I'm frightened voice.
Uncle william lay back in the chair,
| motionless. There was u set smile
upon his face, but he was dead. The
| old man had passed away without n
struggle amid the homage of honest,
| loyal hearts and rare home comfort"
They buried him from their own lit
tie home. Martin Evans was there,
sullen looking and bored. The lawyer
| nnI Ah., la hn f,tn
erently Nettie had taken the old gold
headed cane and the familiar silk hat
of her uncle and stored them away, as
precious relies, In an unused wardrobe
In the attic. Mr.. Byrd was very seri-
Gus when he informed Nettie that they
had been unable to find the will.
ut was sealed, attested and wit.
messed ut my office the day of his
DEATH" he said. II do not know all
the contents. hut I am aware of the
general legncies my client planned ia
make. We have searched his safety
deposit box, ut the old home, but have
discovered no trace of the WILL"
Finally Martin Evans made applica-
ton to the court Us nearest of kin OF
/
tate. His spendthrift policy began ut
once to develop. lie sQuundered what
was left of liquid character, then he
moitgaged the store building. He
would have done the same with the
homestead and farm, but Mr.. Byrd
said:
"YOu can draw the income from the
| 90 I'm In
will not consent to any loan or sale.
hear you have farmcd out that poor
little Outcast child you agreed to care
for, and have put him In charge of II
wretched couple addicted to drink and
who are abusive tn the child"
Boyd sought out Evans.
"See here, Evans" he said, "Tve a
favor to ask of you."
''If it's to borrow or beg don't waste
your time" growled Evans.
ut Is neither. Nettie Is lonesome,
we love children, ana II you will turn
little Alan over to us legally we will
adopt him."
"Will 1? Sure!" said Evans. Good
radiance to bad rubbish"
| Little Ann WIS u WeiCohc uehEh'
to the childless couple. He throvt
nightly under loving care and com
fort. He was eight years old when
one day, his active investigating spiri,
led him to ransnck the garnet. He To-
Gated the cherished cane and silk hat
in the old wardrobe. Nettie, return
ing home from u neighbours, with con
sternation observed Alan paradini
down the street u square distant, lead
ing band of urchins, Uncle Williams
high hat was on his head, Uncle VII
llam's cane In his hand. She hurried
her steps, but before she reached thu
culprit n crowd of other boys appeared
deprived little Alan of his spells ant
proceeded to institute II game of "shin
ME-" using the hat for the ball and tn
cane as the club. That evening Netti
detailed the circumstance OF the hour
Boyd examined the hat.
"Pretty badly stove In, and insld
, band torn loose. think you can se'
, that up, Nettie. Hello"
. "What is II, Boyd" inquired his wife
as Boyd, turning back the sweat-ban
. revealed folded paper 1t had held Il
: place. He opened 1t carefully, for 1t
{ folded edges We're creased and sOileG
Then his eyes snapped.
I "Nettie," he said animatedly, ut
!. Uncle Williams will"
/ IA Il ,.l.I IL ,c fneA hn