Connecticut western news., 1871-12-15

the table, only to find that Martin was again on tho top of the bookcase, and this time with the little negro headed penwiper in hls beak.
 "That rascally bird !'' laughed the doc tor. "Well, the pen can go unwiped."
 "He'll bring it back agaln. Martin is good bird," said MT. Ovington.
 "Ca-a-caw p exclaimed Martin, and the penwiper dropped lightly on the floor.
 EsCope, doctor--come and take look at nay new Devons, before you go. I'm half-m!nded to drive into town with you Tue walk back will be good for me-help keep down this too heavy carcass of mine 1 don't get half enough exercise"
 "No more you don't" growled the doc tor, with a side glance at his friends ple- thoric proportions, as they made their way out of the study.
 Their conversation had not been in whispers, and John Grapley had lost none of it since he took his stand by the win dow. Nor was it many minutes after the departure of his stepfather before John, with an unaccountable pallor in his face and hesitating step, was passing through the house from room to room. All was deserted, solitary. Even the fair face of Alice Ovington was brightening some more distant corner of the mansion.
 The young mans step became even more stealthy, and his tEin, white lips shut more closely on each other, as he laid his hand at last on the knob of the study door. It turned in his grasp, and he stepped within.
 The room was empty of human forms, and John Grapley's eyes wandered in vain search around the room-not finding some thing they expected. A few loose papecs on the table were hurriedly turned over, and as hastily thrown down, with sharp exclamation of angry dissatisfaction.
 The key was in the secretary, but John GIaploy's hand shook more than little as he turned it in the lock. He did turn it, however, and then at least his search seemed to be successful 1; for from one of the little pigeon-holes he drew and opened 8 long yellow envelope.
 John gave the paper which he held in his hand but one swift, keen, eager glance, and then thrust it into an inside pocket oi his coat, muttering:
 "At all events, he shall not destroy this. He has got the other with him now, and I must trust to luck to get it out of the way. Now, must get out of this"
 He put the empty envelope back i'll the pigeon-hole, locked the secretary, left the key as he found it, and hastened away He did not make his appearance near his home again until the next day at noon.
 It was late that evening before old Mr. Ovington returned from town, weary with his unaccustomed walk, and anxious only to get straightway to bed. It was late in the morning when he arose, and then his Devcns and his other mute fayorites kept him for time from his cosy study.
 Alice Ovington bad looked at the cattle with him. and Martin had cawed gracious iy about them as if he considered himself good judge of both brutes and human beings; but John Grapley did not put m bis customary appearance. .
 When he did return, however, halt an hour later, he was net in the gateway by the form of his stepfather, looking foot taller than usual, being, literally, in a "towering" fit of anger.
 "John Grapley, do you know where they are-do you 2" ...
 "Where what are? What on earth's the matter 2" gasped John, with we'll assumed look of bewildered innocence.
 "Yhe will, you scoundrel, the will Both of them Give them up or Pll-'
 Alas for swollen veins and hasty pas sions! For, as John Grapley quailed and trembled before the wrathful face of his stepfather, suddenly the old man put on g strange and set expression, his tongue ceas- ed to ob4y his angry will his limbs failed un- der him, and the old gentleman sank help. less on the grass
 John Grapley's face wore for moment the look of reprieved criminal; but he returned his elt-possession, and no alarm could have been more prompt and louo than that which he sounded.
 Mr. Ovington was borne into the house and medical aid was summoned.
 John went himself for Dr. Prindle but could hardly even simulate vexation o1 learning that that gentleman had beer called away to an important consultation and would not be home under two days.
 Physicians were to be had in abundance however, and they came; but they cam' too late to do anything helpful for MT Ovington. The silver cord was loosed and his pitcher was utterly shattered a the fountain of life.
 Great was the consternation of poo Alice Oyington, and it was great help t, her that her brother George came hom next day, in the midst of the funeral pre- parations. Still, both George and Alic, found themselves of small account in tn house of their grandfather, for Georg Grapley had taken all matters in charg at once, and issued his orders with the al and manner ot well-assured proprietor At first they did not mind it much, thougl George Ovington, more selfish than hi sister; remarked to himself that it auguret little of good for their future prospects. | Poor Martin had not seemed to com prehend the terrible change in the house hold affairs, and perhaps his instincts o self preservation taught him to do his al lowance of discontented cawing at sac distance from the spirited hands of Johl Grapley.
 The succeeding day had been set for tn funeral, and the coffin layEin the old, deep widowed drawing room, which was, per force, all thrown open for the circulation of the warm Summer air, and the entranc of the unsympathising sunlight.
 More than an hour before the time ike, for the funeral, Dr. Prindle drove up t. the gate, threw his relns on his horse, ant strode into the house.. He gave Georg Ovington nasty graspof the hand, spok to Alice few kindly words, and the went on into the parlor.
 Here he was standing in sorrowful si fence, his usually firm features working slowly as ne gazed down upon the fare ( his old friend, when he heard a step besid him, and the voice of John Grapley said
 "Ah, doctor, am 50 sorry you wer not here. I fear you could have don nothing for him, but just before he wa taken he was wishing to see you"
 "To see me? What for 2"
 Something about new will. He sai he had made one, but destroyed it, and | wanted your help in framing another. H led me to believe that he intended maki1 some liberal provision for George an Alice"
 That, indeed, he did,'' replied the do %or huf ha l;I not foo1 ro11e