The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-04-01
Lost in The Post-0ffice
BY HEsBA sTRETTON.
Continued

because there is landed property in
three different dioceses," he answered.
"pll send it to Grey by to.nights mail.
"Well, my father can do nothing" |
said, wondering all the time whether
Mr.. Shape knew what were the pro-
visions of all the will, so mOmentous to
Katie end me.
There was will, however; that far
was certain. A kind of wild hope,
which had been kindled in my breast,
was quite quenched by the visit from
Mr.. Shape. felt myself sinking into
q gloomy depression, which appeared
exceedingly omnibus to me. For three
or four hours / brooded respondent Y
over the fact that there was a will,
scarcely allowing myself to cherish a
spark Of hope that Katie was provided
for in it; for how often does rich man
leave his money to the poorest of his
kindredi had nothing else to occupy
my mind. My mother and sisters sat
weeping in my fathers darkened and
silent room. All the windows in our
house had the curtains drawn. AT last
it occurred to me that this was the last
day of September, and that the money
order account, which was made up
quarterly, ought to b. balanced, aud
sent up to London by that nights mail.
Glad ofhnythingto work at, Invent down
stars to the inner office, found the neces-
sary forms, and set myself steadily to
the task.
had Just completed it, and folded mp
my balance-sheet, when | heard foot
step and voice in the outer Office, both
loud, and of kind to arrest attention.
They belonged to one of Shapes clerks,
who had come in to pest his masters
letter.
Look bere," he said; II was to see
you take this ono straight in to Mr..
Slaney; it's on no account to be left
here with ordinary letters. It's old
Lawrence's W II, guess. By George
l only wish that my name was inside
of it,"
1t was brought into me Immediately,
end placed before me on the counter.
did not touch it, but there it lay, long
narrow p cket, not over large or bulky,
yet containing the whole of Hates
future and mine.
cannot say how long sat before it,
fascinated, perfectly spellbound; my
eyes riveted upon it, as if they could
see through the thick cover, and read
the momentous lines within. l never
touched it with my finger even. l felt
as if / no more dare do that than |
would have dared to tease,aud arouse
some deadly serpent. / am conscious,
however, that not the shadow of an idea
of opening it ever crossed my mind. At
last felt warm smooth little hand
laid upon mine, and katie's voice
whispered close to my ear. what is it
you're staring at, Harry y
There was, of course, an entrances into
this inner Office from the house, anu
Katie had stolen in several times before
when / was alone, and had always spoken
IN the lowest of whispers, lest the clerFs
in the office beyond should overheaI
her; yet / started neryously ut the
sound of her voice and the touch OF he.
hand, and she was obliged to repeat heI
question before l seemed to compre
bend il.
THAT is your uncle's WILL" Ianswer,
ed.
Her eyes met mine, aud there was a
strange LOOK in them, such as / had
never seen betore,-an uneasy, troubled,
almost sly expression. She had been
crying until they we've red, and appear
ed smaller than usual under their
swollen lids. She dropped Der evelids
hurriedly, and then she whispered
again.
off there had been no will ~
answered her as if that were o uaes-
ton, but afterwards it occurred to me
that it was but al involuntary utter
ance of her wish.
"Your father would have been heir
at-law, Katie" i repliCl, "snd you a
great hsiress."
As was speaking, an alarmed and
hurried voice called loudly for me from
the interior Of the house,-a voice SO
urgent, and strung to such pitch of
terror, ltbat it drove every thought of
anything else out of my mind. At two
or three bounds l sprang up the STAIR
csse, and into my father bedroom,