Luck and Pluck

Then, for the first time, flashed upon Ben the crowning misfortune,—that the lost will was in his coat-pocket. Upon the recovery of that depended his chance of getting the two hundred dollars. He sank into a chair, pale with dismay.

"Are you sick, Ben?" asked his mother, hastily.

"No," he said; "but I must dress as quick as possible, and go back and find my clothes if I can."

He dressed in nervous haste, and set out for the woods. This time he espied the hollow tree. There he found his clothes. He felt in the pockets, and found that everything was safe, including his watch and pocket-book.

But the will was gone! Ben instituted a strict and careful search in every conceivable direction, but he found no trace of the lost document.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

CONCLUSION

A letter was at once despatched to John, from Squire Selwyn, requesting his immediate return to Hampton.

Though no reason was assigned for the summons, John of course lost no time in obeying it. On the third day he was set down at the lawyer's house.

"O John, how glad I am to see you!" said Sam, in his delight flinging both arms around John's neck, and giving him a warm embrace.

John's greeting was no less hearty.

"Such news, John!" said Sam.

"It isn't the will?" inquired John, eagerly.

"But it is, though."

"Found?"

"Yes, and I found it. Didn't I tell you so! Don't you remember my dream?"

"But perhaps it's all a dream now."

"Well, if it is, it's a substantial dream, and father's got the document locked up in his safe. You're no longer dependent on Mrs. Oakley, and you can go to college with me, and—you don't know how glad I am."

"Yes, I do, Sam," said John. "You're just as glad as if it had happened to yourself, and that's what I expected of you. But you haven't told me how it was found yet."

"Oh, it was such fun!" said Sam. "Sit down here, and I'll tell you all about it."

It need hardly be said that John was amused by the story of Ben's ludicrous embarrassment; but he was surprised as well.

"How could Ben have got hold of it? I don't understand that."

"Nor I," said Sam. "But as long as we've got it, we won't trouble ourselves about that."

It was decided that the next morning Squire Selwyn, accompanied by John, should call on Mrs. Oakley, and make arrangements founded on the new phase of affairs.

Mrs. Oakley had not received intelligence of John's return, and her surprise was accompanied by a nervous sensation, when Hannah came up to her chamber, and announced that Squire Selwyn was below, and Master John was with him.

"John Oakley?" she demanded, hastily.

"Yes, ma'am."

Mrs. Oakley entered the parlor with her old haughty step, and coldly bade the lawyer "good-morning." Of John she took no notice.

"Good-morning, Mrs. Oakley," said John.

"So you have got back, have you?" she said.

"Yes, he has got home to stay," said Squire Selwyn, significantly.

"With or without my permission, I suppose," said Mrs. Oakley.

"I don't know that he needs anybody's permission to live in his own house," said the lawyer.

"His own house!" repeated Mrs. Oakley, in a voice which, despite her efforts, betrayed some nervousness.

"Yes, Mrs. Oakley. My object in calling upon you this morning is to apprise you that the will is found."

"What will?" she demanded.

"Your late husband's last will and testament, in which he bequeaths this estate to his son John, here present."

"Where's the will?"

"Here," said the lawyer, producing it.

"Will you let me see it?"

"Excuse me, but it must remain in my possession till it is publicly read."

"What reason have I for believing this to be a genuine document?" said Mrs. Oakley, harshly. It was foolish thus to contend, and she knew it; but it angered her that by the document she should be stripped of two-thirds of what she had come to look upon as her own.

"I am prepared to swear that it is the will which I drew up for your husband three months before his death."

"I suppose I am not to ask how it came into your possession?" said Mrs. Oakley. "If it was concealed in this house, some one must have entered illegally, and made a secret search."

Mrs. Oakley fixed her eyes upon John, feeling satisfied that he had entered the house on the day she left her keys out, and opened the drawer.

"If you think I had anything to do with it, Mrs. Oakley," said John, "you are mistaken. I only reached Hampton last evening, summoned by Squire Selwyn."

"I accused you of nothing," said Mrs. Oakley, but she was greatly surprised.

"As to who found the will, Mrs. Oakley," said Squire Selwyn, composedly, "I will only suggest that your son Benjamin can probably throw more light on this matter than any one else."

"Benjamin!" exclaimed Mrs. Oakley, quickly.

"Yes, I have reason to think he can give you all the information you desire."