Beadle's New York Dime Library, Vol. XVIII, No. 232 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

6 | Orson a tas Namen mma She had sailed for Europe with her father, to | wormed himself into the confidence of the trust- be fone several months, e time that must elapse before she returned was comparatively brief. But it seemed a wofully long period to the impatient lover. Ay, she shall come to my arms once more— the Old World shall not keep her.” This was the thought that encouraged and buoyed up the youth, Each morning he reflected that there was one day less for him to wait. And now it had all come upon him with the suddenness of the lightning stroke, He was not prepared for it. He was dazed and horror-smitten for the time by the awful blow which bad descended like the Alpine avalanche, “TI never cun recover!” he moaned; ‘‘if I had but been given a warning—” ‘*So you bave heard of it, Donald?” Young Marvin turned toward his visitor, and recognized bim as Mr, Ward Hildreth, the un- cle of his betrothed. ‘*‘T am very sorry for you,” said the old gen- tleman, in a feeling tone, affectiona ely placing his hand on bis shoulder, ‘It is a dreadful oc- currence, but try and bear—it—like—” At this juncture the tremulous voice gave way, and the handkerchief went. to the eyes of the old gantleman. He shook with his tempest of grief. That is, he seemed to do so. The reader has doubtless suspected there was anything but real grief about tae old scoundrel just then. For several minutes neither spoke, Each was too much moved to give expression to his emorions. . Donald Marvin had met Mr. Ward Hildreth once or twice, and never faucied him, though he really knew nothing against his character; but all such feeling had departed now that both stood in toe shadow of a great grief. By and by they were able to master their emotions, ani the old gentleman took his seat beside the young lawyer and lover. ** Toll me all about it,” said Donald. The old gentlemin did so. That is, be gave his bighly-colored version of it, to which young Marvin listened breathlessly. It was impo-sible for him te doubt the truth of a single word related by his caller. - T] shall return to New York at once,” be added, swallowing a great lump in his throat and sopping his red eyes again with his moist handkerchief, ‘* {ne body has not been recovered?” ‘No; but every effort will be put forth. We can scarcely fail to find it shortly; though the tide was setting out tosea when—when—the— accident took place. Poor Eva! she was smit- ten by ber grief over the death of her father and my brother.” “It must have been a dreadful blow ” ou can scarcely imagine how great.” “* His death was sudden?” “Very.” a ted?’ ** Aud unex “Not entirely. I employed a most eminent practitioner, who told my brother and myself two days before the death that a latent disease had manifested itself. My brother was all broke up and could not last much longer.” = “ {am unnerved entirely by the awful fate of va. ‘**So am I; and you will excuse me,” The old gentleman rose to his feet. Donald Marvin did the sume and took his and, ‘Thank you for this call.” | “Not at all. I thiok my dear niece would have died had she not been sustained by her love for you. it was that which kept Ler up. There—th-re—good day, sir.” He wrung the hand of the young lawver, and desperately trying to force back bis grief, hast- ened out of the offi 'e. But there was anything but woe stirring the heart of t e hoary old rascal. He chuckled until he bad walked a couple of blocks, when he drew his note-book from bis pocket Placiog his eye-glasses on his nose, he care- ' fully studied a memorandum, * Geffuev G, Galnaith, counselor at law, —— Walnut street. He’s my man, and I must see him at once.” The old c-nspirator hurried away. h CHAPTER IX. A COUNSELOR AT LAW. Garrney G. GALNAITH was a lawyer past three score. He was miserly, treacherous, and sly as a Ox. Cileb Hildreth, whose affection for his wav- ward brother led him to place so much confi- ~dence in him, was completely deceived by the old bawk. | In this he was scarcely censurable, for Gal- naitb had done little but deceive people for the ‘past forty years, He had met with great success, too, He had 5 ing millionaire, who employed him to draw his last will and testament. Gaffney G. Galnaith was a c1usty old bachelor, slovenly in his dress, slouchy in manner, with a dilapidated office. He wore huge silver-bowed spectacles, and an exceedingly soiled dressing-gown. He had an enormous hooked nose, a vast mouth, and only three snags which answered for his teeth. He was round-shouldered, with a rasping voice, A great portion of the snuff, which he was so fond of taking, was lost upon his sbirt-front, vest, and dressing gown, The long feet, that were thrust into his slip- pers, were only partly covered by his dirty woolen stockings, There were large holes in the beels, somewhat bidden by the legs of the hose, which invariably hung down over them. Altbough it was a mild day in summer, asma!l wood-fire was burning in the grate, when Ward Hildreth entered this uninviting office on Wal- nut street. Gaffoey G. Galnaith’s jaws seemed to be eter- nally working. as though his snags were chew- ing some invisible gum, He knew better than to be gruff to a visitor before that visitor explained his business, 80 he looked up and returned the greeting of Mr. Ward Hildreth, The latter measured bis man, and saw the necessity of establishing a friendly understand- ing at once. ‘Good-afternoon, sir.” ‘Goold afternoon,” returned the counselor, waving him to a seat in one of the two vacant, rickety chairs. ‘This is Mr. Galnaith, I believe.” ‘At your service, sir.” Pe Thank you; I wish to speak to you on busi- ness. A 1 am ready to hear anything you have to say. ** Are we alone?” Mr. Galnaith sprung up with surprising agili- ty in one of his years and Iccked the single door in the room—-the one through which the caller had just entered. ‘We ara entirely alone, sir.” ~ Thank you; my name is Ward Hildreth.” ‘ !’ ‘*l am the only surviving brother of Caleb ai he who died two months ago in Eng- and. ** Indeed, I regretted very much to learn of his decease; he was one of my most valued friends; a most noble man, sir.” ‘You speak truly; he was a client of yours?” “AH has been for many years.” ** You drew his will?” “*T did.” ‘Is it in your possession?” mer se ae ** 'W bere?” ‘** Safely locked up there.” He pointed to a bhuye old-fashioned iron safe. “T would like to see it.” The old fox hesitated a moment, ‘* | believe you are not the legatee,” ‘*T am executor.” ** You speak truly; your brother no doubt told you that much.” ** He did.” ‘His only child, Eva, is the sole legates.” ‘‘ She was, and in case of her death the prop- erty goes to me.” “You are quite correct.” ‘* Well, she is dead.” “Ts it possible? When did that occur?” “Only yesterday.” Thereupon the visitor told the story which has already been repeated to the reader. The old lawyer listened attentively. When it was concluded he rose without a word and walked to bis safe, He drew the pondercus door backward, and fished from a drawer a folded pap r. It was the last will and testament of Caleb Hildreth, Propet; drawn, witnessed and sealed. Opening it, he slowly read the important docu- ment, Its main provisions have been made known, Ward Hildreth was made the executor; and in case he survived the daughter, was the sole legatee. If be died Gaffney G. Galnaith was named as executor. Truly if love is blind, so is friendship. It was passing strange that Caleb Hildreth shou!d have placed such unbounded faith in his brother, when no one could have known bis shortcomings better than did he, Yet such was the fact. The provisions of the will were found to be recisely as Caleb had stated to his brother be- ore his death “Mr, Galnaith,” said the villain, ‘* my deceas- ed brother spoke in the highest terms of your ability and integrity.” ‘TL always strive to merit the confidence m clients place in me,” answered the old fox, al- most succeeding in blus.ing, ‘It shall be my pleasure to employ you in the Man of Iron. settling up the estate, and I shall see that you are well paid.” Mr. Galnaith grinned enormously. : So much indeed, that be displayed his three snags, and threatened the destruction of his ears. ‘*T wish to learn from you the necessary steps that must be taken to place me in possession of this property.” “They are simple,” said the counselor, sitting beck in his chair and trying to smile once more, ,; ‘** Let’s bave them.” ‘*T take it for granted that you wish to do everything strictly legal.” ‘* Most certainly.” “The ots a course will] be for you first to go before the Register of Wills in the Orphan’s Court, who on demand will issue a citation for me to produce the willin court, that it may be proven.” hes Will there be any difficulty or delay about that? ‘‘Not in the least; fortunately the two wit- nesses, I being one, are within immediate reach.” ‘* Well, what next?’ **On the day appointed, I will present myself with my witnesses. At the same time we must present the proofs of the death of the daughter.” ‘*f will procure those in New York,” ‘* Preci-ely, and I will give you assistance,” ‘* What next?” ‘‘Then the Register will issue letters testa- mentary to you as executor, and as such you will take possession of all personal property. The executor bas nothing to do with the real estate, but that-will go to you as legatee, under the provisions of the will.” ‘*T understand,” “You notice by the will that you bave been left a large amount of persona] chy ake which is in tbe vaults of the Fidelity Safe Deposit Company. You have only to present your let- ters testamentary under the seal of the court to procure al] that,” ‘*Whet about the real estate?” ‘There is considerable; if you w‘sh it, it can be sold subject to whatever debts there may be against the estate.” ‘“*T believe there are absolutely none.” ‘“T have no doutt you are right.” “ How long a time will it take to wind up the entire business?” ‘That is hard to answer; it might be done in a month.” “*T will typ you five thousand doJlars if you complete the matter within a fortnight.” “That will be hard work, but it may not be ying tees he miserly lawyer's eyes sparked with awakened avarice, and be began to suspect that everything was not * straight.” But he cared nothing, so long as the grist came to his mill. Here was a chance to make a handsome fee, and he was determined todo it, if it were within the range of possibility. CHAPTER X THE SPIDER’S WEB. AmonG the many bearts crushed by scrrow there was no one more sorely smitten than ibat of Donald Marvin, the affianced lovir of Eva Hildreth. The last letter received from her spc ke of an early departure for home, but it did not fix the date nor give the name of the steamer. While be was looking for some message from her, sbe had arrived in the Gallia. More than that, she bad been several days in New York when he was dumfounded by the an- nouncement of her death. “ And they hiven’t found the body.” mused = sorrowipg man, pacing the floor of his small om é, “That uncle is a hypocrite; be pumped upa tear or two, but beis so delighted over the pros- pect of securing such an amount of wealth tbat he could bar’ly keep from chuckling. He told me he bad offered a reward for the recovery of the hody and everything is being done by the authorities. I don’t believe it. What does he care whether that sweet form drifting with the tide out to sea is ever recovered or not? I will go search for the body myself.” The devoted lover could not rid himself of the feeling that he owed tbat last tribute to his be- loved, He had just one hundred dollars in the savings bank, and it had taken two years of strict economy to place it there, Besides, he bad a widowed mother to sup- rt. Fees were not plentiful nor large. He would glanly toil night and day for bis cheris ed parent. who bad lost her eyesight and breken down in health for his sake. But he went straight for the savings bank and when there, presented his pass-book and drew out every yh due him, This was carefully placed within the inner ocket of his vest. Then he went home to bid is mother good-by. He told her that business would take him away for a day or two, but she must not feel anxious. A neighbor would re- main with ber until his return. EGOmicbooks - | ri a ’ . . *