Ruby's Reward — page 355: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

He knew well enough what thig arrival portended, and overcome by the evidence that was accumulat- ing against him, he sank with a groan into a chair, his spirit of defiance all crushed out of him. Mr, Fairbanks sat down by the table, and produced a document, which he unfolded, saying: “Mr. Carpenter, I received this instrument this mnorning; 1t is your—it is Mr. Ralph Carpenter’s will, which, at the time of his death. I was sure existed. As the parties most interested in it are present, I have been requested to read it here and now.” He proceeded to do so, and itasvas tound that Ralph Carpenter had divided his property equally between Edinund Carpenter and Walter Richardson. “T shall contest that unjust will—my tather must have been demented when he did such an outrageous thing,’ cried Edmund, starting up crimson with anger, when that clause was read. “Ahem! I do not think that would be a wise pro- ceeding fora number of reasons,’ dryly responded the lawyer, glancing significantly at him over the top of his spectacles, But wait; perhaps you may be induced to change your mind after you hear Mr. Carpenter's explanation and reasons for bequeath- ing his property in this way. Listen.” “«This division [ make because both are dear to me as my own sons. Such a statement may sound strangely, at first, and especially so to Edmund, who, doubtless, will feel that I owe him most on account of kinship. Butwhen he knows—as he must learn trom other papers which I inclose with this will— that he is an adopted son ae “Adopted!” cried the startled man aghast, but the lawyer read on as if he had not been interrupted, “He will understand at once why I feel justitied in bequeathing the half of my possessions to the son of one who was very dear to me in early life, and who would doubtless have been my wife but for my own willfulness and unreasonable passion.’ ” Then there followed a clear statement of } isa fairs, | with two or three small bequests to sores eeksrcomny