The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-12-04
Fate at Long
Range
GAo
By SEWARD w. HOPKINS

startled me into throwing the book /
had been reading to the floor, and
rushing to the great old-fashioned oak
en- entrance.
l had but recently moved into Tri-
vortOn, and had made no firm friend
ships, nor even acquaintance. My
small, six-line advertisement was in
the only paper published in the place.
My Great Dane growIed. being I'M
used to having his early slumbers thus
disturbed.
With the exception of the Great
Dane, l was alone. / had permitted
my only servant, an old man. TO go
to visit his sister, almost as old, who
was ILL.,
Opening the door, saw in the clear,
cold light of a winter moon, young
girl. She was pale, extremely agi-
lated and decidedly pretty.
"Oh Are you Mr.. Bayne?" she
asked.
Eyes, my name is Bayne-David
Bayne." l answered. an what way
may l be of assistance to you?"
You are lawyer"
'YeS. ! am a lawyer"
''Then-let me talk to you a mo-
ment. We-I-my father"
please take a moment to get your
breath. You are excited. My office
is rather chilly. Suppose l accom-
pany you to your house. You wish to
consult me, suppose?"
Yes, come with me. That is why
l came here. My father is dying Is
there printed form of will?"
"Ah! Your father wishes to make
his Will? will be with you in mo-
ment But l know of no printed form
of will. However, it will take me but
a moment to write it."
my father is Donald Redbagh," said
the girl
HE wants to make his WILL" went
on the girl with choking sort of sob,
but I don't want you to write IT for
him"
''You don't want me to write your
fathers Wilt" l asked in amazement.
Does he wish you to be left without
inheritance?"
40. He wants to leave ME every
thing"
"An1 yet you don't wish-lt seems
TO me there IS something more to this
than the mere desire of a sick man
TO make will. Please explain"
Gle has taken a violent dislike to
my brother He wishes to cut him off
with a hundred dollars. l do not
want that"
How much is ne worth?"
more than a million"
you see" she went on, my brother
Donald married-married a poor girl
against my fathers wishes. Yet / like
her, and do not-you underestimate do
not wish him cut of You are law
yer You win know how to man
age"
But If he wishes to make a will,
must write it as he commands" l an
swered.
"Well-I suppose so-but it will be
hard on Don"
As we entered the wide iron gate
way the girl turned to me again.
Tile doctor is with him now. Try
to persuade him 70 be fair"
THE doctor?"
'No. My father. Don't let him die
leaving a will that is unjust"
l had no time to reply, and could
not have framed an answer if tried.
\ tall, thin old servant answered her
ring and l was ushered into a bed
room where man lay huddled in a
heap Of bedclothes, and grave, in
telligent man | had seen driving about
The streets sat close at his side
You are Byrnes?" he asked
ayes"
MIR. Redbagh wishes to make his
will. You will need to"
He glanced at me significantly. He
did not need to finish the sentence. |
could see that but spark of life re-
manned in the shriveled old frame,
and that spark was going fast.
"Write-write-" gasped the sick
man. Leave all to Edna. Just
hundred dollars to Donald"
Alone with him, and with a strange
feeling Of repugnance, l began writ
ing as he ordered.
II was a brief will. He simply left
one hundred dollars to his son Don
aid. and all the residue of his estate,
after his funeral expenses had been
paid. to his daughter Edna.
While | was writing, young man
entered. He was well set-up, a manly
looking young fellow, and there was
nothing in he appearance that was
not pleasing.
Father" he said in low, well-mod-
ulated voice, - um going. VIII you
shake hands?"
With scream that seemed beyond
his waning strength, the sick man half
raised himself on his elbow
mo-" he said sharply, although
feebly. shake hands with you? Go.
l thought you had gone"
81 know you ordered me out yester-
day." said the young man. Il was not
here all night. l am going for good
now. | wanted to take your hand be-
fore left"
"Go!"
The young man stood for moment
with bowed head. 1t seemed to me his
lips moved. Then he stepped noise