The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1919-03-07
Fate at Long
Range
00

By SEWARD W. HOPKINS

Anu UcNh tGuuluk " tic uUuTs hnu
rushing TO the great old-fashloned oak
60 entrance.
had but recently moved Into Tri-
vorton, and had made no firm friend
ships. nor even acqualntances. My
small, six-llne 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, was alone. had permitted
my only servant. an old man, to go
to visit his sister. almost as old. who
was IN.
Opening the door, saw In the clear,
cold light of winter moon. young
girl. She was pale, extremely agl-
tated and decidedly pretty.
"oh! Are you Mr.. Baynei she
asked.
ayes, my name is Bayne-Davld
Bayne," | answered. ain what way
may ! be Of assistance to your"
"YOu are lawyer"
"Yes, 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 accom-
nanv WON En- vo,,r bouoa Va,, x,,ish 20
consult me, supposef"
'Yes, come with me. That is why
/ cYne here. My father is dying. Is
there a printed form of willT
"Ah, Your father wishes to make
his will7 I will be with you in mo-
ment. But know Of no printed form
of will. However, IT will take me but
a moment to write H."
"My father is Donald Redbagh," said
the girl.
"He wants TO make his WILL" went
on the girl with choking sort Of sob,
''but | 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
Entertainer
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 a will. Please explain"
''Iie has taken violent dislike. to
ing brother He wishes to cut him or
with n 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 a poor girl
against my fathers wishes. Yet ! like
her, and do not--you understand do
not wish him cut of. You are a law
yer, You will know how to man
age"
"But II he wishes TO make a will. l
must write 1t as he commands" an
swered.
we'll suppose so-but 1t will be
hard on DON"
AS we entered the wide iron gate
way the girl turned TO me again.
1.-THE doctor is with him now. Try
TO persuade him to be fair"
'The doctor?"
"No. My father. Don't let him die
leaving win that is unjust"
| had no time TO reply. and could
not have framed an answer II ! tried.
A tall. thin old servant answered her
ring and was ushered into a bed
room where man lay huddled in
heap Of bedclothes. and grave, in-
telligent man had seen driving about
the streets sat close at his side.
"you are Byrnesf" he asked.
~Yes."
mfr. 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 a spark Of life re-
maIned In the shriveled old frame.
and that spark was going fast.
-write-write-~ gasped the sick
man. Leave oil 10 Ednn. lust a
hundred dollars to Donald"
Alone with him. and with strange
feeling Of repugnsnce. began writ
Ing as he ordered.
II was brief will. He simply left
one hundred dollars to his. son Dom
aid, and all the residue OF his estate.
after bis funeral expenses had been
paid. TO his daughter Edna.
While | was writing. young man
entered. He was well set-up, manly
looking young fellow. and there was
nothing In his appearance that was
DOT pleasing.
~Fathsr." he said In low. welLmod-
ulated voice. Il am going. WIN you
shake handsf"
with n scream that seemed beyond
his waning strength. the sick man half
raised himself on his elbow.
"No!" he said sharply. although
feebIy. "Shake hands with your Go.
4 thought Yen had gone"
II know ron ordered me out yester-
DAY. said the young man. 4 was not
here all night am going for good
now. I wanted to take your hand be-
fnra I left"
a~r -