"
"Ah?"
"Yes; and I wish to my heart he had appointed somebody else. I've too
much business of my own to attend to."
"Of course," said Claire, "you will receive your regular commissions
for attending to the settlement of his estate."
"Poor picking there," replied Jasper, shrugging his shoulders. "I'd
very cheerfully give up the profit to be rid of the trouble. But that
doesn't signify now. Elder has left his affairs in my hands, and I
must give them at least some attention. I'm not coming to the point,
however. A little while ago I witnessed the most painful scene that
ever fell under my eyes."
"Ah!"
"Yes, truly. Ugh! It makes the chills creep over me as I think of
it. Last evening I received regular notification of my appointment as
executor to Elder's estate, and to-day thought it only right to call
upon the widow, and see if any present service were needed by the
family. Such a scene as I encountered! Mrs. Elder was just at the
point of death, and expired a few moments after my entrance. Besides
a single domestic and a child, I was the only witness of her last
extremity."
"Shocking!"
"You may well say shocking, Edward, unprepared as I was for such an
occurrence. My nerves are quivering yet."
"Then the widow is dead also?"
"Yes; both have gone to their long home.
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