Only an Irish Boy eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 199 pages of information about Only an Irish Boy.

Only an Irish Boy eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 199 pages of information about Only an Irish Boy.

“I don’t believe he made it.”

“There can be no doubt of it.  Mr. Graves has examined it, and he and myself are so familiar with the handwriting of your husband that we have no hesitation in pronouncing the will genuine.”

“Colonel Preston must have been insane if he really made such a will.”

“I was his medical adviser,” said Dr. Townley, quietly, “and I never detected the least sign of an unsound mind.”

“The fact of robbing his wife and child to enrich an Irishwoman and her son is proof enough of his insanity.”

“Pardon me, madam, but such bequests are made every day.  Outside of their legacies your husband left ample fortune, and there is no danger of your being impoverished.”

“Did you bring the will with you?”

“No.  I did not feel like incurring the risk.”

“I shall contest the will,” said Mrs. Preston, passionately.

“I would not advise you to.  The proof of its genuineness is overwhelming.  I suppose you never saw the other will?”

Mrs. Preston, at this unexpected question, in spite of her strong nerves, turned pale, and faltered: 

“Of course not,” she said, after a slight pause.

“Your husband asserts positively in a note to me that he made one,” said the doctor, bending his eyes searchingly upon her, for he suspected the truth, and that it was distrust of his wife that led Colonel Preston to take the precaution he had done.  “Its disappearance is mysterious.”

“What do you mean?” cried Mrs. Preston, sharply, and not altogether without alarm.

“I meant only to express my surprise.”

“If your business is over, I will go out.”

“I have only this to say, that, being named in the will as executor, I shall take immediate measures to have the will admitted to probate.  Should you make up your mind to contest it, you can give me due notice through your legal adviser.  In that case,” he added, significantly, “the question of the disappearance of the other will will come up.”

“I will consult my lawyer,” said Mrs. Preston.

Though she said this, her determination was already made.  “Conscience makes cowards of us all,” and the doctor’s last hint alarmed her so much that she decided to make no opposition to the setting up of the will.  But it was a bitter pill to swallow.

“Graves,” said Dr. Townley, as he left the house, “that woman destroyed the other will.”

“Do you think so?” asked Mr. Graves, startled.

“I feel sure of it.  Let me predict also that she will not contest this will.  She is afraid to.”

And the doctor was right.

CHAPTER XXXVI ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

Andy was quite unconscious of the good fortune which had come to him.  Though a manly and stout-hearted boy, he was, in fact, getting discouraged.  He was willing and anxious to work, but there seemed to be no work for him to do.  He would have left home some time since to try his fortune elsewhere, but for the entreaties of his mother, who didn’t like to lose him.

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Only an Irish Boy from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.