Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-11-06

maid said she was still keeping very
quiet in bed"
felt treasured. After ALL Mrs Hap
good was their dear, trusted, old
friend.
But I asked cautiously. Wasn't
there clause toward the end of the
document. reading: This conveyance
is made for the purpose of enabling
the grantee to convey the property to
Carlotta Gilbraith, thus creating an
| estate in her alone?"
She wrinkled her brow, looking be-
wildered. why no. Hank, I always
read legal papers very carefully be-
I know I'd have remembered that
funny phrase. creating an estate in
her alone" It's almost poetic"
"Poetic!' I snorted It's practical
and important! And it was just like
that careless old fool to leave it out!
Probably he was tight on hard cider
as usual"
I knew the clause wasn't necessary
really and more lawyers up here will
leave it out than put it in, simply be-
cause the straw man business has be-
come an ordinary technically. Yet I
fumed at the thought of old Jepson
Storms neglecting to protect Carlotta
completely-even though he knew Mrs.
Hapgood had the young peoples in
terests at heart.
Two days later my phone rang and
Tom shouted: Hank, you were right
A straw man can be "a straw man
can be -" He sounded like broken
monograph record.
whats happened?" I shouted
back.
Mrs. Hapgood!" he yelled, choking
with fury. She's moved into the little
house, bag and baggage!"
I jumped into my jalopy and drove
out there Mrs. Hapgood was all alone,
humming to herself. and putting up
some crisp new cottage curtains. She
had already moved the furniture
about bit. With incredible effrontery,
she said, ITS really so much fun to
play-pretend at keeping house! I don't
think I shall even bring maid Or
cook out here. I shall Just do every
thing for myself as if l were lost in
the woods"
I was almost speeches. as I looked
into her guileful face. I was astounded
to think how her wide childish blue
eyes and her air of naivete had de-
ceived all of us during the years.
Mrs. Hapgood," I said tightening
my jaw, you can't do this"
Cant do what?" she asked sweetly
You can't take advantage of
friendship and trustfulness and
"Oh pooh,' she said.
This is the most heinous-"
But it's legal, Hank You're a
lawyer You understand that anything
legal is ethical No? Tsk! tsk! ask! I
can see you don't believe in the letter
Of the law"
She was absolutely infuriating. But
I saw that I had TO go easy 1 must
handle the woman with gloves or she
might manifest a more dangerous
form of insanity.
This is only a mischievous prank"
I said soothingly. May I tell Tom and
Carlotta that you are just having fun
at their eXpense?"
She glared at me and clenched her
fists. Hank" she said in a low.
ominous voice. eff you do that I shall
burn this house down. I swear that
mean it,"
Now 1 was sure she was mad got
out of there. The nerves around my
spine were pringling.
Back in my office I found Tom
waiting. His face was strained and
the muscles of his cheeks knotty as
if he had been crashing his teeth for
hours.
well, what happened?" he asked
hoarsely.
Tom, I said. "the woman is quite
mad, quite beyond reason. You'll just
have to take it easy for a while We
can apply to Court of Chancery for
relief from this injustice Z. But I'm
not too sure we'll be able to prove
fraud. never did trust Jepson Storms
He omitted clause which would have
protected Carlotta. With all Mrs