Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1918-03-27
THE MISSING WILL
BY MARIE HAMMOND.


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.
eyes, sir" resumed Uncle William
CaSS, as they led him into the bright
and cozy sitting room and he shifted
the evening meal appetizingly. II just
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
q hamper of provisions. The evening
passed in the pleasant home Of the at
tentive couple who really cared for
him unSelfishly, was marked event
in 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,
the old man sank back with sigh of
comfort and peaceful enjoyment.
'Tll help Nettie get the dishes out
of the way, uncle" said Boyd, $50 we
can be together right away" and
Joined his wife in 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 q nice evening, uncle"
Boyd heard her say, and then there
was wild scream.
"What is it, Nettie!" spoke Boyd,
startled.
"Oh, Boyd! Come here! Come here!"
gasped Nellie in q frightened voice.
Uncle William lay back in the chair,
motionless. There was set smile
upon his face, but he was dead. The
old man had passed away without a
struggle amid the homage of honest,
loyal hearts and rare horne comfort"
They buried him from their own lit
tie home. Martin Evans was there,
sullen looking and bored. The lawyer
called the day after the funeral. Rev
erently Nettie had taken the old gold
headed cane and the familiar silk hat
of her uncle and stored them away, as
precious relics, 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.
"It was sealed, attested and wit
messed at my office the day Of his
DEATH" he said. II do not know oil
the contents, but I am aware of the
general legacies my client planned to
make. We have searched his safety
deposit box, ct the old home, but have
discovered no trace of the will"
Finally Martin Evans made applica-
ton to the court as nearest of kin of
the deceased and was awarded the es-
tate. His spendthrift policy began at
once to develop. He sQuandered what
was left of liquid character, then he
mortgaged 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
farm and live in the old home, but
will not consent to any loan or sale.
I hear you have farmed out that poor
little outcast child you agreed to care
for, and have put him in charge of
wretched couple addicted to drink and
who are abusive to the child"
Boyd sought out Evans.
"See here, Evans" he said, "Ive
favor to ask Of YOU"
"If it's to borrow or beg, don't waste
your time" growled Evans.
'It is neither. Nettie is lonesome,
we love children, and If you will turn
little Alan over to US legally we will
adopt him."
"Will I? SureI' said Evans. "Good
riddance to bad rubbish"
Little Alan was welcome delight
to the childless couple. He throve
nightly under loving care and COM
fort. He was eight years old when,
one day, his active investigating spirit
led him to ransack the garret. He To-
Gated the cherished cane and silk hat
in the old wardrobe. Nette, return
ing home from a neighbor's, with con-
sternation observed Alan parading
down the street square distant, lead
ing band of urchins, Uncle Williams
high hat was on his head, Uncle VIII
liams cane IN his hand. She hurried
her steps, but before she reached the
culprit crowd of other boys appeared,
deprived little Alan Of his spoils and
proceeded to institute game of "shin-
rio ,,c;op tho hot Fo,. tho ho11 on6 the