The Argosy — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

22 The House of Halliwell “T think it should be searched for,” said Mr. Halliwell, “and read.” They rose and went upstairs, Mrs. Halliwell, her son, Aunt Copp, and their relative; leaving Hester, Lucy, and the little girl in the sitting-room. Melancholy enough they looked, poor children, in their deep mourning. Hester had felt the shocking blow, perhaps, more than all, yet she had retained the calmest exterior. She was leaning now with her head on her hand, a contraction of pain on her brow. | “What would be the consequence if papa had not made a will?” inquired Lucy. “Very little, I should think,” was the abstracted reply of Hester. ‘“T don’t know what the law may empower in such a case, but I am sure none of us would take advantage one over the other.” Lucy looked up in surprise. ‘‘ What advantage could we take? I do not understand.” | The rest entered as she spoke, for the will had been speedily found. Mr. Halliwell proceeded to read it. “This was made six years ago,” said he, running his eyes over the date. ‘‘I suppose there is no later one.” “That is the last,” said Mrs. Halliwell. | It was a perfectly just will, the will of an upright man. Huis wife’s life was provided for, and his children were left an equal share, not one more than the other. Mr. Halliwell, as he folded it up, remarked that it was a just will. “Of course,” began Aunt Copp, ‘the first thing will be to withdraw the money from that fire company, and put it in the funds again.” “Yes,” said Mrs. Halliwell, ‘‘I should wish it done.” ‘What are you talking of ?” inquired Mr. Halliwell. “OQh—long since that will was made, my brother drew out his money and invested it in some fire-insurance company,” replied Aunt Copp ; and her slighting tone raha shai to almost cast reflection on the dead. , “All of it?” “Every shilling. Except what was settled on the aid, which he couldn’t touch: the two thousand pounds. Five hundred apiece, it will be, as Frances is dead, and there are only four of them.” | “That comes to them at Mrs. Halliwell’s death,” observed Mr. Halliwell. | “Of course, at Mrs. Halliwell’s death; not before,” returned Aunt | Copp. ‘ Well, every shilling but that is in the fire company.” | “It is quite safe,” spoke up Mrs. Halliwell, “‘and pays an excellent interest. Since it has been there our income has been half as large again.” ‘“T do not like these sort of speculations,” observed Mr. Halliwell. “TI hate them,” added Aunt Copp. “T would advise you to write to your lawyer immediately,” he ) Gomichvooks.co