The Stockton Examiner, and South Durham and North Yorkshire Herald. — 1879-08-30 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SEPTIM IIS RADDLE. Witnesses—Herbert and Sybil Wadlow. As the two last names were read aloud, Herbert started and stared at the cool James Torney, as if he had doubted the evidence of his ears, but the next I moment the hand of Sybil was on his arm, pressing it convulsively, and he resumed his seat, keeping his eyes upon the tub!. Sybil turned for an instant towards Septimus Huddle, who met her look with one of intense meaning, in which servility, love, defiance, and menace were wonderfully blended. As for the rest, they were simply overwhelmed by the unexpected nature of the document, and a confused murmur of disapproval ran round the room. "All things considered," said Mr. James Torney, "it is well, perhaps' that he did revoke his late will ; otherwise his wealth would have fallen into the hands of his—presumed murderer. Mr. Huddle, I congratulate ,you." " Stop! ' cried Molly, rising with a quick, passionate gesture of dissent; "my poor Eddy npver made that will. What was Septimus to him; any more than a servant, and a bad one to boot ?" "My dear madame," rejoined Mr. James Torney, "we cannot always account for the eccentricities of testators. This will is duly attested by witnesses of position. Those are your signatures, I believe?" He addressed Herbert and Sybil, who both answered in the affirmative. Herbert, in a confused end wandering manner; Sybil, clearly, with a frank smile upon her witching face. But Molly still protested, and the relations protested, especially Molly's sister, who lifted up her voice and denounced Septimus in no measured terms. lie had arisen and stood insolently leaning againht the wainscoting. For a little while, he entared with patience the heap of opprobrius epithets, but he quickly changed. "I'm master here now, ain't I?" he asked. "Certainly," replied the lawyer. "Then look here," said Septimus, addressing the humble portion of his guests, "you just get. out of this, you, Stump! or I'll have you turned out, now then!"  The insolence of the dog was immeasurable ; the servility of years was dropped in a moment, and he wee a full-blown tyrant. "Goon," he continued; "quick march! and you too, maundering Molly, as soon as you can make it convenient, fcr this house is mine!'  "My dear eir," interposed the rector, " gently, . _ _  "fdon't want any of your advice," growled Septimus, turning upon him a vicious look • " you stick to your business—psalms, blankets, and soup—and leave ma to mine. Now then, you paupers and common people, tramp have nothing leas than downright gentility here" He swaggered about with a coarse assumption of superiority that, under any circumstane s, would have been highly amusing—as it was, it disgusted the better portion of the assembly. Squire Wadlow and his wife arose, bowed coldly to the fortunate recipient of wealth, and, followed by their friends, Herbert and Sybil bringin6 up the rtar, took their departure. As they passed the door, Septimus came up and ihruat a paper into the hand of Sybil. Anger Slashed from her eye, but abs took it, and followed her brother downstairs.  "What is the meaning of thief" asked the squire, furiously, when they were seated in their carriage and on their way to the Hall; "how could you be mixed up in such ati affair ?" "Mr. Bolton asked on to sign," replied Sybil, coolly; "we knew nothing of the nature of the will. I have forgotten it." A pretty state of things !" muttered the squire. "Bolton was bad enough, but this cad will never spare us. Ile holds the bond seer our estate. It is his now, and we are beggars !" Sybil said nothing in reply, and in gloomy silence they returned to the house. There Sybil seized in early opportunity to read She missive she had received. It ran thus:—  "1 roust see you at once, and alone. Bo down by the weir to-night." "I will go," she muttered fiercely, tearing the paper to shreds. "What do you want, Herbert?" "Only a word with you," replied he, entering her her boudoir. "I sap Syb, I never put my name to thatyou know. ' . .  Sybil ie-ok-d at him with a quiet smile, as she gax.e him ar, ply that stopped the very beatings of his heart-"Indeed, dear Iferbert ! that is strange NO more did L'.  CHAPTER X Vt.