CHAPTER XXXIX.
MAKING A WILL.
"Mr. Coleman," said Trimble, with suavity, "this is my wife, Mrs.Trimble."
The lawyer bowed.
"I believe you wish to execute a will, Mrs. Trimble?" said he.
"Yes," answered the poor mother, in a spiritless tone.
Various questions were asked in relation to the property, and then thelawyer seated himself at a table and wrote the formal part of the will.
"I understand you wish to leave the entire property to your husband?"he said, in a tone of inquiry.
"In the event of my son's death," interpolated Mrs. Trimble.
"But, my dear, he is dead," said Abner Trimble, with a slight frown.
"I would prefer to have it expressed in this way."
"I am sure," continued Trimble, annoyed, "that Mr. Coleman willconsider it unnecessary."
"I see no objections to it," said the lawyer. "Of course, the son beingdead, it won't count."
"Mr. Coleman," explained Mrs. Trimble, "I have no reason to doubt mypoor son's death, but I didn't see him die, and there may have been amistake."
"How can there be?" demanded Trimble, impatiently. "Didn't my friendFloyd see him drowned?"
"He may have been mistaken. Besides, he only says he did not see himafter the boat upset. He may have been picked up by some other boat."
For the first time Trimble and Floyd saw the flaw in the story, whichhad been invented by Trimble himself.
"Was there any boat near, Floyd?" asked Trimble, winking significantly.
"No, sir; not within a quarter of a mile."
"Edward could swim. He may have reached one by swimming."
This was news to Trimble. He had not been aware that his stepson couldswim.
"Under the circumstances," said the lawyer, "I think Mrs. Trimble isright."
Trimble looked panic-stricken. Knowing that Edward Granger was stillliving he recognized the fact that such a will would do him no good.
"If he were alive he would let us know," he said, after a pause.
"Probably he would."
"So that we may conclude he is dead."
"It might be stipulated that if the missing son does not appear withinthree years from the time the will is made he may be regarded as dead?"suggested the lawyer.
"One year would be sufficient, it seems to me," put in Trimble.
"I would rather make it three," said his wife.
Abner Trimble looked disappointed, but did not dare object.
The lawyer continued to write.
"I understand, then," he observed, "that you bequeath all your estateto your husband, in the event of your son being decided to be dead."
Mrs. Trimble paused to consider.
"I think," she said, "I will leave the sum of five thousand dollars tocharitable purposes as a memorial of Edward."
"I don't think much of charitable societies," growled Trimble.
"Some of them do a great deal of good," said the lawyer. "Are there anyparticular societies which you would wish to remember, Mrs. Trimble?"
"I leave the choice to my executor," said the lady.
"Whom have you selected for that office?"
"Will you serve?" she asked.
"Then you don't care to appoint Mr. Trimble?"
"No, I think not."
"It is customary to appoint the husband, isn't it, Mr. Coleman?" askedAbner.
"It is quite often done."
"I would prefer you," said Mrs. Trimble, decidedly.
"If it will ease your mind, I will take the office, Mrs. Trimble."
"Now," said the lawyer, after a brief interval; "I will read the draftof the will as I have written it, and you can see if it meets yourviews."
He had about half completed reading the document when there was heard asharp ring at the doorbell. Then there were steps on the stairs.
A terrible surprise was in store for Mrs. Trimble.