So when she politely inquired, “Aren’t you coming up?” up he came, and
seated himself as near her as he dared.
“Here is a document I’d like you to see.”
He handed her the paper and his electric torch, and she read aloud:
In the name of God, Amen.
I, Marvin Mahan, being of sound mind on most subjects, though
somewhat given to dreaming on atoms, do make and declare this my
last will and testament, in manner following, that is to say:
First, I give all my apparatus to my father, Chase Mahan, to be
given to some school, and ask him to bury me at his own expense.
Second, I give all my books to my mother, Helen Marvin Mahan,
and especially the fairy stories that she first read to me.
Third, I give my watch to my brother Charles. It is a good one.
Fourth, I give to my brother Augustus a trinket that is hidden
in my safety deposit box. He deserved it from Uncle Sam.
Fifth, I give my clothes to my sister Anita for her disabled
soldiers.
Sixth, I give my left hand to my mechanical friend, James
Endicott Hogg.
Seventh, I give, devise and bequeath all the rest, residue, and
remainder of my estate to Miss Jean Winifred Rich, who,
discovering me unconscious after a bad fall, saved my life at
the risk of her own.
The voice of the reader, which had begun to wobble a little as soon as
it struck the reference to fairy stories, wobbled a good deal on the
last sentence. She had to wait a minute before she said,
“I’d love to know your sister Anita, and I’m awfully sorry I can’t take
your rest and residue and remainder. Please give it to Anita for her
soldiers.”
Marvin slowly tore his will into pieces and extracted from his pocket a
second document. This too she read aloud:
This agreement between Marvin Mahan, hereinafter designated as
the party of the first part, and Jean Winifred Rich, hereinafter
designated as the party of the second part, is in writing for
the purpose of satisfying the fourth section of the statute of
frauds, and witnesseth as follows:
1. (a) In consideration of marriage the party of the first part
hereby covenants and promises to choose such occupations as
shall seem good to the party of the second part.
(b) Furthermore, to give, convey, and assign to her and her
assigns forever, all property, real, personal, or mixed, of
which said party of the first part shall be legally seized and
possessed at the time of his marriage to said party of the
second part, and all property, real, personal, or mixed, which
said party of the first part shall thereafter legally acquire at
any time whatever during his lifetime.
(c) Furthermore, to live with the party of the second part in
such places and at such times as shall please and suit and be
requested by the party of the second part, the purpose and
object of his part in this covenant being to secure to said
party of the second part the fullest freedom and happiness
within the marriage bond.
2. In consideration of the foregoing covenant and promises the
party of the second part agrees to marry the party of the first
part some time or other, when she gets good and ready.
(Signed) Marvin Mahan.
(Signed) ........................
She had laughed out at the words “in consideration of marriage,” but
from that point onward her voice was sober.
“It is a beautiful contract, Mr. Mahan. I don’t suppose I can appreciate
all the consideration it shows.”
“Will you sign it?”
“No.”
“Will you accept me without signing it?”
“No.”
“Is there anything the matter with it?”
“No, except that it is pity gone crazy.”
“Jean, you are harder than iron.”
She made no reply, but laid the quenched light beside him and looked
away at the stars.