Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-05-16
Fate at Long
Range
an
by SEWARD w. HOPKINS
tCopyright)

when frantic ringing Of my bell
startled me into throwing the book
had been reading to the floor, and
rushing to the great oldfashioned oak
en- entrance.
had but recently moved into Tri-
vorton, and had made no firm friend
ships, nor even acquaintances. My
small, six-line advertisement was In
the only paper published in the place.
My Great Dane growled, being un-
used to having his early slumbers thus
disturbed.
With the exception of the Great
Dane, l was alone l had permitted
my only servant, an old man, to 60
to visit his sister, almost as old, who
was Ill.
Opening the door, saw in the clear,
cold light of winter moon, young
girl. She was pale, extremely ag-
tated and decidedly pretty.
"Oh! Are you Mr.. Bayne?" she
asked.
Eyes, my name is Bayne-David
Bayne," l answered "In what way
may I be Of assistance to your"
you are lawyer?"
Eyes, l am 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 I accom-
pany you to your house. You wish to
consult me, ! suppose?"
Eyes, come with me. That is why
came here. My father is dying. Is
there a printed form of will?"
"Ah Your father wishes to make
his will? I will be with you in a mo-
ment. But know of no printed form
Of will. However, 1t will take me but
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 l don't want you to write 1t for
him."
"You don't want me to write your
fathers will?" l asked In amazement.
"Does he wish you to be left without
Inheritance"
mo. He wants to leave me every
thing"
"And yet you don't wish-it seems
to me there is something more to this
than the mere desire Of sick man
to make will. Please explain.
"He has taken violent dislike to
my brother. He wishes to cut him off
with a hundred dollars. l do not
want that"
"How much is he WORTH"
More than a million"
"YOu see," she went on, my brother
Donald married-married poor girl
against my fathers wishes. Yet like
her, and do not-you underestimate dc
not wish him cut off. You are law
yer. You will know how to man
age"
"But II he wishes to make a will,
must write 1t as he commands" an
swered.
"Well-I suppose so-but 1t will b.
hard on Don."
As we entered the wide iron gate
way the girl turned to me again.
1.-THE doctor Is with him now. TT!
to persuade him to be fair"
1.-THE doctor?"
"No. My father. Don't let him di
leaving a viii that is unjust"
had no time to reply, and l coul'
not have framed an answer II tried
A tall, thin old servant answered he
ring, and was ushered into bed
room where man lay huddled in
heap of bedclothes, and grave, In
telligent mat had seen driving abou
-. the streets sat close at his side.
'You are Byrnes?" he asked.
< EYES,"
"Mr. Redbagh wishes to make hi
will. You will need to"
He glanced at me significantly. Fl
did not need to finish the sentence.
could see that but spark Of life r.
NAMED In the shriveled old fran
and that spark was going fast.
"Write-write-" gasped the sic
man. Leave all to Edna. Just
hundred dollars to Donald"
Alone with him, and with n. stranf
feeling Of repugnance, ! began wri
ing as he ordered.
It was brief will. He simply lie
one hundred dollars to his son Do
aid, and all the residue Of his estat
after his funeral expenses had be-
paid, to his daughter Edna.
While l was writing, n young IN,
entered He was well set-up, a man
looking young fellow, and there W
nothing In his appearance that "
not pleasing.
Father" he said In a low. well-mC
ulated voice. ~ am going. VIII y
shake hnnds?"
With scream that seemed beyo
his waning strength, the sick man h,
raised himself on his elbow.
"No" he said sharply, althou
feebly. "Shake hands with your
i thought you had gone"
II know you ordered me out vest,
day." said the young man. II was Z
here oil night. ! am going for go
now. wanted to take your hand