Polk County news. [volume] (Benton, Tenn.) 191?-1983, 1919-03-06
Fate at Long
Range
~

BY SEWARD w. HOPKINS

when a frantic ringing Of my bel
startled me into throwing the book
had been reading to the floor, anC
rushing to the great old-fashiOned 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, | 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 agi-
tated and decidedly pretty.
"Oh! Are you Mr.. Bayne?" she
asked
"Yes, my name is Bayne-David
Bayne," | answered "In what way
may be of assistance to your"
you are a lawyer"
yes. | am lawyer"
"Then-let me talk to you a mo-
ment. We-I-my father"
"Please take moment to get your
breath. You are excited. My Office
is rather chilly. Suppose 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 printed form of will?"
"Ah! Your father wishes to make
his will? 1 will be with you in a mo-
ment. But 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 will?' l asked in amazement.
Does he wish you to be left without
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 a sick man
to make a will. Please explain
''He has taken a violent dislike to |
my brother He wishes to cut him off |
with hundred dollars. l do not
want that"
EHow much is he WORTH"
t"More than q million"
"YOu see," she went on, my brother
Donald married-married a poor girl
against my fathers wishes. Yet / like
Ter, and do not-you understand do
lot wish him cut off. You are a law
rer. You will know how to man.
lge."
But If he wishes to make a will, l
must write it as he commands" / an
wered.
"Well-I suppose so-but it will be
ard on DON"
AS we entered the wide iron gate
vay the girl turned TO me again.
"The doctor is with him now. Try
o persuade him to be fair"
"The doctor?"
mo. My father Don't let him die
aaving will that is unjust"
/ had no time to reply, and l could ;
OF have framed an answer if I tried
tall, thin old servant answered her ;
ing, and I was ushered into q bed
pom where man lay huddled in a J
cap of bedclothes, and a grave, in {
alligent man had seen driving about {
lie streets sat close at his side.
you are Byrnes?" he asked.
eyes" q
"Mr. Redbagh wishes to make his ,
i'll. You will need to" l
He glanced at me significantly. He q
d not need to finish the sentence. | E
Duld see that but spark of life re- h
aimed in the shriveled old frame,
I'd that spark was going fast. =
"Write-write-" gasped the sick d
an. Leave all to Edna. Just a r
inbred dollars to Donald" n
Alone with him, and with n strange s
cling of repugnance, l began writ "
& as he ordered. n
1t was brief will. He simply left
e hundred dollars to his son Don T
d, and all the residue of his estate, G.
ter his funeral expenses had been
i'd, to his daughter Edna. h.
While was writing, young man
tered. He was well set-up, manly nj
liking young fellow, and there was
thing In his appearance that was
{ pleasing.
Father" he said in low, well.mod- CT
ited voice, ~ am going VIII you
axe hands?"
With scream that seemed beyond
! waning strength, the sick man half r.
sed himself on his elbow. ~
Nor he said sharply, although tn
,bly. "Shake hands with you? Go.
hought you had gone" wi
4 know you ordered me out yester- oh
y" said the young man. II was not W,
re all night. | am going for good III