t, looking paler and more frail than ever. Into the prim little
parlor they all filed, and sat down awkwardly in a line around the
room. The preacher remarked upon the weather, Mr. Dean said it was an
uncommon warm summer, Mrs. Dean sent Tommy to get her a newspaper to
use as a fan.

Just then a horse and cart drove up, and all looked out. It was Aunty
Perkins. Why she had come, she knew not, except that Job had sent for
her. She trotted in, and, with a little curtsey, said, "How do? Hot in
sun. All well?" Next came Tim's father, in a new brown suit and a red
tie that matched his hair. Last of all, Tom Reed looked in sheepishly,
and seated himself outside the door. All sat in embarrassed silence,
which grew painful as the moments went on. Where was the lawyer, and
where was Job?

Finally they came--the attorney through the gate and up the path at a
brisk pace. Then, dressed in a neat black suit, with black tie and
black hat in hand, and looking for all the world as he had years
before when he came in on the stage, only older grown, Job came down
the stairs and, with a kind welcome, seated himself near the door.

The lawyer adjusted his spectacles and broke the seal of the document
in his hand. Hans and Sing and Tony stood in the open door, a
picturesque group in the afternoon sunlight. The lawyer rose, looked
about, and cleared his throat. The anxious spectators leaned over,
breathless. It had come at last! Only a second between them and some
substantial remembrance from Andrew Malden.

The will was in the usual form, but it was brief. Slowly, almost
haltingly, he read, so that the words fell clearly on each ear. This
is what they heard:

"In the name of God, Amen. I, Andrew Malden, a native of
Massachusetts, a resident of Grizzly county, State of
California, being in clear mind and usual health, do hereby
make my last will and testament. I hereby bequeath all my
property, real and personal, those lands and buildings and
appurtenances thereof situated in the county of Grizzly, all
bonds and moneys deposited in the Gold City Bank, to Job Teale,
who for many years has lived under my roof and been a son to
me. All things that by the grace of God I own, I bequeath to
him and his heirs and assigns forever.

(Signed) ANDREW MALDEN."

A stillness almost oppressive filled the room as the last word fell
from the lawyer's lips, as the name of the last witness wa