Weekly Trinity journal., 1873-04-12
NUMBER l5.

"But she won't do it; she hates me-"
"It's your only chance, and is worth
the trial."
Couldn't you destroy this last wilY"
"No; it is not in my possession. Tho
old man had it among his papers some-
where and, besides, there were two hon
est witnesses. Has your cousin lover2"
"No; think not"
"Then, believe me, your best and only
chance is to play for the fortune through
marrying her."
WELL" said Horace with very little
hope in his tone, ats mighty slim
chance, but I'll try it," and he went
away.
That afternoon the cousins met in the
parlor. Each greeted the other with
cordiality long unknown in their cousinly
intercourse. They even chatted pleas
antly. congratulating themselves upon
the manner in which they were opening
the game.
i" You mast be quite oppressed with
the gloom of this old house," said Hor-
ace, as he was about to go, "and l think
ride might do you good. would be
pleased to take you this afternoon, if you
would do me the honor"
"Nothing would please me BETTER" re-
piled the beauty with a winning smile.
The ride was had. Each of the plot
ters endeavored 10 be agreeable. Hor-
ace was bland and attentive Rena sat
distractingly close to him, was AS amia-.
BILE as woman knows how to be when
she tries and uses her matchless eyes
with killing effect. They dined on the
road, and returned in the evening. And
when they parted for the night, Rena al
lowed Horace, for the first time in her
life, to kiss her.
This great change in their demeanor
toward each other should have aroused
mutual suspicion, but it didn't. They
were blinded by the glitter of the golden
stake.
During the next day Horace remained
nearly all day in The house, and in tho
society OF his cousin. He proposed going
to the theater in the evening, but Rena
argued the impropriety ofso doing. Then
grandather's recent death would mako
it highly improper in the eyes Of their
friends.
&" But we can go to Brooklyn" sug-
gested Horace. Nobody will know us
there"
To which the beauty assented, and
Horace kissed her. She didn't resent his
impudence. On the contrary, her lips
clung to his in gentle, thrilling rejoin-
der.
They went to the theatre, grew conf
DENTAL and loving, and supplemented
their goodnight kisses with hug.
"I'm progressing tremendously; to-
morrow l will propose to her." thought
Horace.
Pm bringing him around fhmously,"
thought Rena. He will come to the
point in day or two"
And come to the point he did on the
following Frday--the day before the
opening of tho will. lie sworo undying
love for her. She affected surprise was
sufficiently coy for appearances, but con-
lessed an ardent passion for him. Both
lies found believing ears. After large
amount of hugging and kissing, which
an occasion like this demands, they dis
cussed the practical details.
Z" am impatient for the happy event."
he said, squeezing her hand.
"And SO am }" she replied, returning
tho pressure gently.
But grandfatber's recent death"
" Bother grandfather" pouted Rena.
Couldn't we manage 1t somehow"
He feared for his chances when she
learned that he was pcnniess.
I'VE can try"
She was only anxious to have 1t settled
before he discovered her poverty.
an tell you, Rena," he said, as il
struck with new idea "we might get
married privately, and keep it secret
until becoming amount of time has
elapsed"
"As you please, dear Horace"
"When shall we have the ceremony
performed?"
"As soon as possible-that is, mean
as soon as you desire it,"
Tomorrow morning?"
"Yes."
Two happier people than the cousins
didn't go to bed that night. Each was
self congratulatory and triumphant.
In the morning they went in a carriage
to a minister unknown to either and were
married.
"Why, it's one o'clock |" said Horace,
as they re-entered the carriage. I'VE
have just time enough to go the surro-
gates office and have grandfather's will
read"
They arrived there to find several law
yers and the executors assembled. One
of the latter was speaking. lie held
some documents in his hand.
"Here are three wills, the first, leav-
ing his property TO Horace Warton, was
made about year ago. The second,
dated six months later, leaves the estate
TO Rena Crocker. The third and last,
dated three months ago, leaves all to
charitable institutions. OF course, only
the last is valid-the others are of no con-
sequence"
Rage and blank amazement filed the
faces of the plotting cousins but they
could do nothing. They rode dsconso-
lately home in the carriage. They un-
burdened themselves of their real senti-