CHAPTER XXI.
READING THE WILL.
Aunt Jane's funeral was extremely simple and quiet. The woman hadmade no friends during her long residence in the neighborhood, havingisolated herself at "the big house" and refused to communicate in anyway with the families living near by. Therefore, although her deathundoubtedly aroused much interest and comment, no one cared to bepresent at the obsequies.
So the minister came from Elmwood, and being unable to say much thatwas good or bad of "the woman who had departed from this vale oftears," he confined his remarks to generalities and made them as briefas possible. Then the body was borne to the little graveyard a mileaway, followed by the state carriage, containing the three niecesand Kenneth; the drag with Silas Watson and Uncle John, the formerdriving; and then came the Elmhurst carryall with the servants. Jamesdid not join these last; nor did he appear at the house afterthat dreadful scene in the garden. He had a little room over thetool-house, which Jane Merrick had had prepared for him years ago, andhere he locked himself in day and night, stealthily emerging but tosecure the food Susan carried and placed before his door.
No one minded James much, for all the inmates of Elhurst were undersevere and exciting strain in the days preceding the funeral.
The girls wept a little, but it was more on account of the solemnityfollowing the shadow of death than for any great affection they boretheir aunt. Patsy, indeed, tried to deliver a tribute to Aunt Jane'smemory; but it was not an emphatic success.
"I'm sure she had a good heart," said the girl, "and if she had livedmore with her own family and cultivated her friends she would havebeen much less hard and selfish. At the last, you know, she was quitegentle."
"I hadn't noticed it," remarked Beth.
"Oh, I did. And she made a new will, after that awful one she told usof, and tried to be just and fair to all"
"I'm glad to hear that" said Louise. "Tell us, Patsy, what does thewill say? You must know all about it."
"Mr. Watson is going to read it, after the funeral," replied the girl,"and then you will know as much about it as I do. I mustn't tellsecrets, my dear."
So Louise and Beth waited in much nervous excitement for the finalrealization of their hopes or fears, and during the drive to thecemetery there was little conversation in the state carriage.Kenneth's sensitive nature was greatly affected by the death of thewoman who had played so important a part in the brief story of hislife, and the awe it inspired rendered him gloomy and silent. LawyerWatson had once warned him that Miss Merrick's death might make him anoutcast, and he felt the insecurity of his present position.
But Patsy, believing he would soon know of his good fortune, watchedhim curiously during the ride, and beamed upon him as frequently asher own low spirits would permit.
"You know, Ken," she reminded him, "that whatever happens we arealways to remain friends."
"Of course," replied the boy, briefly.
The girl had thrown aside her crutches, by this time, and planned toreturn to her work immediately after the funeral.
The brief services at the cemetery being concluded, the littlecavalcade returned to Elmhurst, where luncheon was awaiting them.
Then Mr. Watson brought into the drawing room the tin box containingthe important Elmhurst papers in his possession, and having requestedall present to be seated he said:
"In order to clear up the uncertainty that at present existsconcerning Miss Merrick's last will and testament, I will now proceedto read to you the document, which will afterward be properly probatedaccording to law."
There was no need to request their attention. An intense stillnesspervaded the room.
The lawyer calmly unlocked the tin box and drew out the sealed yellowenvelope which Miss Merrick had recently given him. Patsy's heart wasbeating with eager expectancy. She watched the lawyer break the seal,draw out the paper and then turn red and angry. He hesitated a moment,and then thrust the useless document into its enclosure and cast itaside.
"Is anything wrong?" asked the girl in a low whisper, which was yetdistinctly heard by all.
Mr. Watson seemed amazed. Jane Merrick's deceitful trickery,discovered so soon after her death, was almost horrible for him tocontemplate. He had borne much from this erratic woman, but had neverbelieved her capable of such an act.
So he said, in irritable tones:
"Miss Merrick gave me this document a few days ago, leading me tobelieve it was her last will. I had prepared it under her instructionand understood that it was properly signed. But she has herself tornoff and destroyed the signature and marked the paper 'void,' so thatthe will previously made is the only one that is valid."
"What do you mean?" cried Patsy, in amazement. "Isn't Kenneth toinherit Elmhurst, after all?"
"Me! Me inherit?" exclaimed the boy.
"That is what she promised me," declared Patsy, while tears ofindignation stood in her eyes, "I saw her sign it, myself, and if shehas fooled me and destroyed the signature she's nothing but an oldfraud--and I'm glad she's dead!"
With this she threw herself, sobbing, upon a sofa, and Louise andBeth, shocked to learn that after all their cousin had conspiredagainst them, forebore any attempt to comfort her.
But Uncle John, fully as indignant as Patricia, came to her side andlaid a hand tenderly on the girl's head.
"Never mind, little one." he said. "Jane was always cruel andtreacherous by nature, and we might have expected she'd deceive herfriends even in death. But you did the best you could, Patsy, dear,and it can't be helped now."
Meantime the lawyer had been fumbling in the box, and now drew out thegenuine will.
"Give me your attention, please," said he.
Patsy sat up and glared at him.
"I won't take a cent of it!" she exclaimed.
"Be silent!" demanded the lawyer, sternly. "You have all, I believe,been told by Miss Merrick of the terms of this will, which is properlysigned and attested. But it is my duty to read it again, frombeginning to end, and I will do so."
Uncle John smiled when his bequest was mentioned, and Beth frowned.Louise, however, showed no sign of disappointment. There had been amiserable scramble for this inheritance, she reflected, and she wasglad the struggle was over. The five thousand dollars would come inhandy, after all, and it was that much more than she had expected tohave before she received Aunt Jane's invitation. Perhaps she and hermother would use part of it for a European trip, if their future plansseemed to warrant it.
"As far as I am concerned," said Patsy, defiantly, "you may as welltear up this will, too. I won't have that shameful old woman's money."
"That is a matter the law does not allow you to decide," returned thelawyer, calmly. "You will note the fact that I am the sole executor ofthe estate, and must care for it in your interests until you are ofage. Then it will he turned over to you to do as you please with."
"Can I give it away, if I want to?"
"Certainly. It is now yours without recourse, and although you cannotdispose of it until you are of legal age, there will be nothing thento prevent your transfering it to whomsoever you please. I calledMiss Merrick's attention to this fact when you refused to accept thelegacy."
"What did she say?"
"That you would be more wise then, and would probably decide to keepit."
Patsy turned impulsively to the boy.
"Kenneth," she said, "I faithfully promise, in the presence of thesewitnesses, to give you Elmhurst and all Aunt Jane's money as soon as Iam of age."
"Good for you, Patsy," said Uncle John.
The boy seemed bewildered.
"I don't want the money--really I don't!" he protested. "The fivethousand she left me will be enough. But I'd like to live here atElmhurst for a time, until it's sold or some one else comes to live inthe house!"
"It's yours," said Patsy, with a grand air. "You can live hereforever."
Mr. Watson seemed puzzled.
"If that is your wish, Miss Patricia," bowing gravely in herdirection, "I will see
that it is carried out. Although I am, inthis matter, your executor, I shall defer to your wishes as much aspossible."
"Thank you," she said and then, after a moment's reflection, sheadded: "Can't you give to Louise and Beth the ten thousand dollarsthey were to have under the other will, instead of the five thousandeach that this one gives them?"
"I will consider that matter," he replied; "perhaps it can bearranged."
Patsy's cousins opened their eyes at this, and began to regard herwith more friendly glances. To have ten thousand each instead offive would be a very nice thing, indeed, and Miss Patricia Doylehad evidently become a young lady whose friendship it would pay tocultivate. If she intended to throw away the inheritance, a portion ofit might fall to their share.
They were expressing to Patsy their gratitude when old Donald suddenlyappeared in the doorway and beckoned to Uncle John.
"Will you please come to see James, sir?" he asked. "The poor fellow'sdying."
Aunt Jane's Nieces Page 21
