Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-30
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Every eye turned to the two girls
whose fates and fortunes were thus
made so prominent.
Marriage would have operated the
same as death. The money would have
passed to the selected charities. I told
Miss Querdling that such clause would
not be legally effective.
"She told me to carry out her in
structions, and agreed under protest.
Meanwhile I had obtained counsels
opinion. which upheld mine. I told her
again such a will would lead to litiga-
ton, left it with her, but begged her to
reconsider"
Can you say whether she executed
the will?" the coroner inquired.
mo, heard nothing more"
The coroner's next question was lis
tened to intently.
"If that will was not executed, would
a previous will be effective or would
there be an intestacy?"
There was no previous will; so there
would be an intestacy and the estate
would be divided equally among the
next of kin-in this case, believe, a
nephew and two nieces, and would pass
absolutely, not merely with life inter-
ests"
Again the eyes of the curious glanced
at the two sisters. They might well
nope LIldI LtldL btIdHBc WALL hdu 1lSfcI
been completed!
Have any steps been taken to see
what Miss Querdling did with the will?"
asked the coroner.
II went to Morrow Craig this morn
ing" answered Morgan. 1.-THE police
were with me. We searched through
Miss Querdling's papers, but We could
not find 1t. I saw her place it in a
certain drawer in her desk. 1t was not
there"
you think she may have destroyed
it?"
ut would seem so. but it contained a
list of requests, carefully planned, and
1 should not have expected her to de-
stroy that"
you are suggesting that the will is
loSt-or has been removed"
II am only suggesting" said the So
licitor, "a more complete search"
There were a few more questions and
then, as Morgan was about to leave the
box. the coroner spoke.
What was that substantial legacy
you mentioned?"
"A gift Of $4,000 to friend, Maj
Wilbert Gresham"
Every one now looked at the major
who tried to appear unconscious of the
new interest he had caused. The cor
oner recalled Evelyn and Marjorie, who
said they had not known their aunt was
making a will. Evelyn remembered that
Miss Querdling was away on the day
Morgan said he had left the will behind.
Coroner Burbeck in his summing up
explained that the jurors, If convinced
the tragedy was due to an accident, had
to report accordingly. On the other
hand, 1t was their duty to point to foul
play If the evidence justified.
AS the jury filed out, Jimmie went
across to Richmond, who introduced
him to Morgan. Jimmie asked the
lawyer for an explanation Of Miss
| Querdling's desire that her nieces re-
main single.
LAS a. young woman she was engaged
| to be married" Morgan said. THE
man, fellow called Blake, bolted with
| her sister instead. Blake was bad lot
| Infused his wife and finally deserted
| her and the three children. and died in
America His wife died, and Miss Anna
/ belle. to whom the father had left every
| thing, adopted the daughters. I be-
! lieve she helped the boy, but she sent
| him away She had no use for men
/ and she wanted her nieces to help heI
make them pay for all she had suf-
| fered."
! AS Morgan concluded, Roscoe at
| tracted the attention of his superior
He seemed bursting with eagernesS.
What is it?" asked Richmond, turn
/ ing to him.
Il have just seen him-the man that
night outside the house"
who do you mean?"
(To be continued.)