If no person appear and show title in himself, the court shall decree the residuum or other property to the Commonwealth, and enforce the collection thereof, or of the proceeds of the sale of such property. Provided, however, if the residuum or other property was given, bequeathed or devised by will to a charitable institution in this Commonwealth and such gift, bequest or devise failed by reason of insufficient witnessing of such will and would otherwise escheat to the Commonwealth, and the court finds that it is in the public interest, the court may order such residuum or other property, or so much thereof as was subject to said gift, bequest or devise, to be paid to such charitable institution.
Code 1919, § 520; 1977, c. 488.