The Westerly echo, & Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1854-1858, 1855-06-14
81 90 A YEAR,
PAYABLE IN ADVANCE
WHOLE NUMBER 2l9

believed that there were papers conceal
ed. which, if they could be found, would
place at his disposal handsome fortune.
His belief was not entirely founded on
what Mr. Fairfax said to him the day
before he died. He had previously
thrown out hints that be would not be
dependent upon his profession for
livelihood Yet for himself, though he
knew that at first it would be a hard
he did not care. 1t was the
thought of Helen which made him
despondent and miserable. fI .,.qri
Time went on. The three weeks, at
the termination Of which Helen was to
become the wife of Redwick, were fast
drawing to close. During this time
young Norman had found means to
write to II len, entreating her to try
and induce her father to give her Quo
more day OF grace, if she did not hear
from him again, the day previous to that
appointed for the marriage. What Mr.. g
Fairfax had said to him was constantly
in his mind, and not day passed that
he did not call on Mrs. Mlburn, the
housekeeper. One day when he called,
she said to him - ....I .fe.y e.. ast!
"Don't call tomorrow till after dark.
Redwick will be in and out during the
day, and I know that you dosa want to
meet him. He is going to have several
rooms newly papered." l,a'o
"What ones 2" said Francis.
"The drawing-room, and the chamber
Mr. Fairfax used to call bis, and tho
small one adjoining. He says that the
paper ism. fashionable but don't
believe that he'll fud that any that's
handsomer. / asked him if l might
take off some of that in the little cham
ber, that's all covered with roses, and.
after snarling at me for asking, he told
me might have the whole OF it, for all
he cared" ...t.. .f ...ss.,i A..
:" you are at leisure, why not begin
to take it off now ? If you will, III
assist you" "a, Al. BIN
Mrs. Milburn was quite at leisure, p
and readily assented. Fortunately, the
paper did not adhere very tenaciously, r
and by the help of little warm spong-
ing at edges, was easily removed.
Francis had commenced working by, the
window, aud the wall at the right hand,
and under the sill, was speedily dsnuded. 4,
What appeared to be piece of tin,
about four inches square, at the same
moment attracted the attention Of him
and the housekeeper. 1t had been
so carefully inserted as to be perfectly
even with the wall. .n.gE ..
Mrs. Milburn was surprised, and
little frightened, when she saw Francis
seize case-knife which had been used
in loosening the edges of the paper, and
without any regard to the preservation
of the plastering, proceeded to dislodge
the tin plate, or whatever it might prove
to be. He soon found that it was box,
which, without much trouble, he sue
ceeded in removing from its carefully
prepared receptacle. , ...., ~
I" Well," said Mrs. Mlburn, "I've
found out at last what Mr. Fairfax kept
himself locked up here whole day for,
month or two ago. / shouldn't wonder
if, after all, he made will in your favor,
and hid it away in that box, so that it
might not fall into the hands of Red
wick, for he had no confidence in either
his honor or his honesty"
During this speech Francis had sue
ceeded in removing the lid of the box.
There were papers within, compactly
folded. He was about to remove them,
for on the upper one, in the hand writ
ing of the late Mr.. Fairfax, was written:
" For Francis Norman" when vas heard
the sound of approaching footsteps. Mrs.
Milburu turned pale. -, -.,I .og r
1t is Mr.. Redwick," said she.
What will he say when he sees tho
shattered wall ! Here, Mr., Norman,
60 out at this door You will soc stairs,
BY which you will fad your way 70 tho
kitchen" ,.......l l..i,eo. ra3H
Francis, who was not in the lssst
desirous Of encsuntering bis disagresabloa
rival, acted upon the hint Of the house
keeper, and bad made good bis exit By
the time Rsdwick entered the rsou.