The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1872-03-16

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 tho room find
ing something they expected. A few
loose papers on the tables were hurriedly
turned over, aud as hastily thrown down,
with sharp exclamation Of angry dis
satisfaction.
The key was in the SECRETARY, but
John Grapiey's hand shook more than
little rs he turned it in the lock. He
did turn it, however, and then at last
his search seemed to be successful; for
from one of the little pigeon holes he
drew and opened long yellow cnvel
opo.
John gave the paper which he held
in MS hand but Que swift, keen, eager
glance and then thrust it into an inside
pocket OF his coat, muttering:
AT all events, he shallfslo destroy
this. He has got the othor with him
now, aud l must trust to luck to get it
out of the way. Now, mus. get out
of this
He put the empty envelope back in
the pigeon hole, locked the secretary,
left the key as he found it, aud fastened
away He did not make his appearance
near home again until the next day at
noon.
1t was late that evening before old
Mr.. Ovington returned from town, weary
with his unaccustomed walk, and anx-
ious only to get straightway to bed. 1t
was late in the morning when he arose
aud then his Devons and his other mute
favorites kept him for time from his
cosy study. T
Alice Ovington had looked at the cat
tie with him, aud Martin had cawcd
sracously about them. as i he consid-
cred himself a good judge of both
brutes and human beinsa; but John
Grapley did not put in his customary
appearance.
When he did return, however, half an
hour later, he was met in the gateway
hy the form of his stcpfather, looking a
foot taller than usual, being literally in
Il towering fit of anger.
John Grapley, do you know where
they are-do you 2
where what are? What on earth $
tic natter ? gasped Johu, with we'll
assumed look of bcwildercd junoccnce
The will, you scoundrel, the will
Both of them! Give them up, or I'll-,
Alas, for swollen veins aud hasty pas
sions For as John Grapley quailcd
aud trembled before the wrathiu. face of
his step:ather, suddenly the old man put
on strange and set expression, his
tongue ceased to obey his angry will. his
limbs failed under him, and the old GEN
tleman sank helpless on the grass
John Grapley's face ~o.o for mo-
meat t,!o loo.; of ropricvcd criminal :;
but he retained his self.possession, and
no alarm could have been more prompt
and loud 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 simulate voxa.ion on
learning that that gentleman had been
called away to an important consultation,
a"l ~'7ui1 -: - ;.o,.o uuuer two days.
Physicians were TO be had in abund
ance, however, and they came but they
came too late to do anything for Mr..
Oyington. The silver cord was loosed
and his pitcher was utterly shattered
at the fountain of life.
Great was the CONSERVATION of poor
Alice Ovington, and it was great hslp
to her that her brother George came
home next day, in the midst of the
funeral preparations. Still, both George
and Alice found themselves of small ac
count in the house of their grandfather,
for John Grapley had taken all matters
in charge at once, aud issued his orders
with the air and manner ola well .assur
ed proprietor. At first they did not
mind it much, though George Ovington,
more selfish than his sister, romarkc ed to
himself that it augurcd little of good for
their future prospects.
Poor Martin had not seemed to com
prehcnd the terrible charge in the
house hold affairs and nnrh,n. b;s :,