The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-09-16


of my client Mrs. Dane. and your
reference to her last will brought
back a picture of the delicate
woman in her wheel chair with"
with that disreputable parrot
swearing in the cage behind her.
The bird was there when witnessed
the will; didn't know but that she
would insist upon Micawber's being
the other witness, but she called in
Clotilde and Henri Jacques. it was
her nurse-companion's day off. II
| had to choose between the parrot
and that French butler as my CO.
resident on desert island, I'd take
Mr.. Micawber. After they went out,
Mary Amanda and / were alone
for few moments in the freight.
1t was the last time I saw her,
Mrs. Gregory dabbed her reddening
eyes with lace-edged handkerchief.
She Strengthened. demanded an
grily:
why am | SOLDERING like that7
| love lifel | wouldn't give up my
place in this problem-logged world
for all the starry halos and golden
harps you could offer. Thinking OF
your aunt set me off. The last few
times saw her | had noticed that
she seemed distract, as il something
were worrying her. I've wondered
since If she would have told me
what she had done IL I had not had
to hurry away. | called Henri be-
fore I left AS I looked back, she
seemed white and exhausted. As
drove away saw that girl driv-
ing in"
THAT grill You mean"
1.-THE Reyburn girl, of course,
Stewart. You ought to get a posi-
ton somewhere as an echo. I'd met
her several times and | liked her
too before | knew what she had
done to Mark. She made me for
get that | was old enough to be
her grandmother. Charming man
ners. Well, | must run along"
Thank you for your interest in
me, Mrs. Gregory. I'm going down
to your car with you. Wait for me,
Jed"
The woman turned on the thresh-
old. Il hope. II ever you draw am
other will cutting out a rightful heir,
young man, you'll be swished in
boiling OIL"
Stewart grinned. mot boiling oil,
madam, not boiling: couldn't you
reduce the temperature a degree3"
She smiled. We'll see, well
see. You're an engaging boy. If you
are poor lawyer. I'm to spend
the winter in my country house
not far from the Dane-Trent prop
erty-everybody's doing it this year.
Motor down some Sunday for
lunch"
Sure. I'll come. Meanwhile,
would you mind not telling anyone
that you witnessed Mrs. Danes
wilI7"
You don't think I'm proud OF
my part in that robbery, do your
wouldn't have mentioned it now, but
| wanted to square myself with
Mark. 2
Mark Trent's mind was in a tu-
mutt as he chatted with her in the
corridor, inquired for her health on
the way down in the elevator. told
her that he thought of her rich fruit
cake whenever he attended a we'd
ding. She looked up at him sharply
as they waited at the curb.
Then you still attend weddings?"
why not7 I rather like them"
AFTER your experience, | should
think you would shun them. Ever
see Lola?"
No
Here's my car. That's Dominique
at the wheel. Remember him. don't
you? He drove my horses before /
had an automobile, and the only
thing I have against him is that he
recommended his friends til e
Jacques to your aunt. She made
SO much of Henri that he got die
tator-minded and tried to run the
whole place"
Jed Stewart was walking the
floor when he entered his office. He
stopped abruptly.
WELL" he demanded, did she
talk any more?o
Mot about the will. Why the
dickens didn't you ask questions?
Didn't dare. Don't you see.
Mark? Boy, don't you understand
Someone has SWITCHED that second
will she Witnessed"
Ibid you draw it,"
Never heard OF it. Perhaps your
aunt had an acute attack Of re-
morse. | argued with her, as much
as lawyer can argue, against cut
ting you out. she wouldn't come to
me about a new will. Didn't Mrs.
Gregory say that she had been dis
trait the last few times they had
been together? She thinks it was be-
cause Mrs. Dane was making up
her mind to disinherit you, you
and | know that the will to that eff
feet already had been drawn.
You passed up grand chance to
cross-examine her, Jed"
Didn't dare. She thinks the will
she witnessed is the one probated ;
doesn't know that if it had been she