Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-06-27
CHAPTER l.
An Error RectIhed.

Pedro, the meSLlz0, having ngnted
the wax tapers In the massive candle
sticks, having placed bottle and glasses
upon the great mahogany table, to-
bacco and papers upon the small ma
hogany table. withdrew silently, as
was his way, swiftly. as was his train
ing.
His old master, Senior don Antonio
de la Guerra, looking as genuinely an
tidue in his old-fashioned black coat,
small, high-heeled boots and curled
white hair and mustache as any ar
ticle of the antique furniture in the
vast drawing room of the hacienda,
turned his lively black eyes upon his
guest.
''You will forgive the rudeness of
an old man, Senior Dempton," he said
softly, his English perfect, his utter
ance still the honeyed speech of Cas-
tile, "but may / ask you to understand
that l know nothing of what you
Americanos call business? And that
/ have no wish to learn? That is why
| place these matters in the hands of
an attorney" He bowed after the way
Of the old school, and ended smiling,
Tin the hands of thoroughly colape-
tent attorney, senior"
Dempton, little man with rest
less, nervous manner and eyes like a
rats. shifted u his chair, cleared his
throat and thanked his patron, looking
pleased on the whole.
"This is very important matter,
Nr. de la Guerra he offered, trifle
hesitantly and with keen eyes upon
his host.
ITO be sure" the old man cut in
impatiently, though with no lesseniEg
of the courtesy of his speech. "a VIII
is always important"
He leaned forward, poured himself
a glass of the red southern wine, lift
ed it so that the still candle flames
shone in it brightly, and drank slowly.
Already Dempton had been asked to
drink, as he was always asked when
ne came to the Rancho de la Guerra
already he had refused, as he always
refused.
The old man set down his glass and
took tobacco and fine white paper from
the tray upon the smaller table, his
steady, slim white hands making the
cigarette swiftly.
"You say, Senior Dempton," he said
when he had lighted a paper lighter
at the nearest candlestick, shat you
have found flaw in the original
wiIY"
'Yes, sir" Dempton spoke hurried
" and ran on very much after the
manner of schoolboy who has gotten
his lesson by heart and wants to "say'
1t before he forgets,
Only a small matter, a technical
error, which might never be noticed.
and yet there is risk-there Is dan
ger that the will might eventually be
set aside; because of it that your de-
slres might come to naught; In word,
mat the Senorita Teresa, whom you
wish to make your sole legatee, might
never come into the fortune you have
"llled to her. have thought it best,
Sir to draw up new document"
You have done so?" inquired the
old Spaniard. his eyes musingly upon
the thin wisp of smoke from the ciga-
rette.
Yes" Dempton slipped a red
hand into his breast pocket. "If you
will read it and sign it, sir-if we can
get the matter settled right away, de-
Suoying the original documents"
The details, Senior Dempton,
rust may leave with you" De la
Iuerra waved white hand gracefully.
lou have attended to my business for
me for seventeen years now, and I
nave never found cause for criticism
lou do not even care to have me
80 into detail concerning the flaw
which l allowed to creep inf"
Dempton had leaned forward a little
ID his CHAIR, lis eager eyes upon the
olhers. De la Guerra laughed softly
ana shook his head.
You would force me to appear stu
pa He put his hand upon the bell
Sofa hanging from the edge of the
oLg table and bell tinkled from be
Sohd the door. 'Let me have the pa
pess you wish me to sign
Feoro brought pen and ink. retreat