The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-03-11
"would two hundred dollars convince

pOCkeG-OOOk, WHICH no nsiu hIlcu iOh Va
actly this contingency, and the lawyer
took it, carefully counted it, and transfer
red it to his own wallet.
"Now," he said, "you may prepare
yourself for the worst possible news. You
are, by this WILL cut off from every dollar
of your grandfather's estate"
"You are certain of this?"
"Of course l am. drew the will, and
saw it signed. The previous will left all
to you, but your grandfather was whim-
sical. There came change in his feel
ings, caused by some real or fancied mis-
conduct of yours, and so he left all to your
cousin Rena."
Horace was angry. He cursed his dead
relative roundly, until the lawyer remin-
ded him that curses were useless.
"But what can / do but curse?" he
asked.
"I'll tell you. The will is to be read on
Saturday--five days from this. In the
meantime ask Rena to marry YOU"
''But she wouldn't do it, she hates me-"
"It's your only chance, and is worth the
trial.
"Couldnt you destroy this last will ?'
No, it is not in my possession. The
old man had it among his papers some
where and, besides, there were two hon
est witnesses. Has your cousin lover?"
"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, "it's mighty slim
chance, but I'll try it, and wen. away,
That afternoon the cousins met in the
parlor. Each greeted the other with
cordiality long unknown in their cousinly
intercourse. They even chatted pleasantly
congratulating themselves upon the man.
ner in which they were opening the game.
"You must be quite oppressed with the
gloom of this old house," said Horace, as
he was about to go, "and | think a ride
might do you good. l will be pleased to
take you this afternoon if you would do me
the honor"
"Nothing would please me BETTER" re-
piled the beauty, with winning smile.
The ride was had. Each of the plotters
endeavored to be agreeable. Horace was
bland and attentive. Rena sat distract
ingly close to him, was as amiable as a
woman knows how to be when she tries,
and used her matchless eyes with killing
effect. They dined on the road, and re-
turned in the evening. And when they
parted for the night Rena allowed Horace,
for the first time in her life, to kiss her.
This great change in their demcanor to-
ward each other should have aroused mu-
tual 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 the So
ciety of his cousin He proposed going to
the theater in the evening, but Rena urged
the impropriety Of so doing. Their grand
fathers recent death would make it highly
improper in the eyes of their friends.
''But we can go to Brooklyn" suggested
Horace, "nobody I" will know us there"
To which the beauty assented, and Hor-
ace kissed her. She didn't resent his I'M
pudence. On the contrary, her lips clung
to his in gentle, thrilling reioinder.
They went to the theater, grew conf.
Dental and loving, and supplemented theil
goodnight kisses with hug.
"I'm progressing tremendously" -
thought Horace. "To-morrow will pro
pose to her."
I'm bringing him round famously,
thought Rena. "Hc will come to the poin
in day or two"
And come TO the point he did on thu
, following Friday = the day before th'
: opening of the will. He swore undyinl
, love for her. She affected surprise wa
sufficiently coy for appearance, but confess
ed to an ardent passion for him. Boil
lies found believing ears. After a large
: amount Of the hugging and kissing which
u an occasion like this demands, they dis
u cussed the practical details.
81 am impatient for the happy event,
g he said squeezing her hand.
+ "And so am j." she replied, returning
: the pressure gently.
= "But grandfather's recent death"
c "Bother grandfather" pouted Rena.
d "Coudn't we manage it somehow"
i He feared for his chances when sh
l. learned that he was penniless.
% "We can try"
d She was only anxious to have it settle
before he discovered her poverty.