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

oeoNJ aooh' io chi hSo III D4p 6hooP, Civ
he stepped within.
The room was empty of human forms,
and John Grapley's eyes wandered in
vain search around tho rooni--not find
ing something they expected. A few
loose papers on the tables were hurriedly
turned over, aud as hastily thrown down,
with u sharp exclamation Of angry dis
satisfaction.
The key was in the secretary, but
John Grapley's hand shook more than a
little as he turned it in tho 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 cuvel-
opo.
John gave the paper wiifitiot, nc held
in his hand but Que swift, keen, eager
glance and then thrust it ipto an inside
pocket OF his coat, mutterins:
AT all events, lie shallss, destroy
this. lie has got the cthce with him
now, aud l must trust to luck to get it
out of the way. Now, L 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.. Ovngton returned from town, weary
with his unaccustomed walk, and anx-
ious only t" get straightwaJ to bed. 1t
was late in the morning when he arose
aud then his Devons aud bis other mute
favorites kept him for time from his
cosy study. 81
Alice Ovington had looked at the cat
tie with him, aud Martin had cawcd
sraciously about them, as if he consid-
cred himself good judge of both
brutes and human beinsa; but John
Grapley did not put in his 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
II towering fit Of anger.
John Grapley, do you know where
they arc-do you 2
where what are f? What on earth =
tic matter?' gaspel John. with a we'll
assumed look of bcvildercd junoccnce
The will, you scoundrel, the will
Both of them! Give them up, or I'll-,
Alas, for swollen veins aud hasty pas.
slons! For rs John Grapley quailcd
aud trembled before the wrathfu, face of
his steptather, 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 cen.
tleman sank helpless on the grass
John Grapley's face "o.o for mo-
ment tho look of repricvcd 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 DIR. Prindle
but could hardly simulate vcxa.ion on
learning that that gentleman had been
called away to an important consultation
anu would not De nome under two DAYS.
Physicians were TO be had in abund
ance, however, and they came but they
came too late to do anything for Mr.
Ovington. The silver cord was loosed
and his pitcher was utterly shattered
at the fountain of life.
Great was the CONSERVATION of moor
Alice Ovington, and it was great helm
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, and issued his orders
with the air and manner ola we'll .assur-
ed proprietor. At first they did not
mind it much, though George Ovngton,
more selfish than his sister, remarked 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
household affairs, and perhaps his in
stincts of selfprescrvation taugh; him t.
do his allowance of discontcntcd cawing
ut Il safe distance from the sniritnd