Smyrna times., 1874-09-09

pr0ntS. l shall learn from him and take my
place as partner. The personal property, the
house and furniture, will be mine, as John de-
cines to share my home"
"H' IN Yes, | see! You know he proposed
to Gertrude last summer.
81 know it, sir, but Gertrude loves me,
loved me then"
YES Well, can only consent now to your
marriage, as you are able to support wife.
So, while Gertrude watched, her lover came
to her, splaShing through the muddy streets,
regardless of all but his haste to carry the good
news. Was he not young, rich, in love? Surely
the winter sun never shown upon two happier
faces than those in Mr. Fanshaw's drawing
room when Walter brought her fathers con-
sent to Gertrude.
"But tell you, Ger" he said, eve should |
never have bad it if that will had been found |
Your father told me SO in SO many words. "
But the will was gone, and preparations for
the wedding went forward brskly. John Len
nox came Occ 4siOnally to call on the bride elect, |
| always grave and pale, most unlike her sunny
| faced betrothcd, who had always jest and a
smile ready. Gertrude wondered sometimes
| how John could have ever cared for her. lie
was so far above her intellectually, 50 much
respected ty men old enough to be her father,
one whose reputation was established in bust
ness circles as that of an upright, honorable
man. Then, too, he was over thirty, while she
|
Walter Malcolm.
When the wedding day was fxel for the
middle of April, Walter prOposci to Mrs. Fan
shaw and Gertrude that they should supern-
| tend the ruiurniShing and undermining of his
uncle house before he took his bride home.
"There has been no change made there
since Uncle Malcolm bought and furnished it
for his bride, over thirty years ago, he said,
"and | should like it furnished now as Ger
| trudG wishes
Complying with the request, the ladies found
that there was great deal to be done to the
house. Under masculine rule for many years,
it was out of repair iii many ways kitchen
range and closets, and hundred other details
needed overhauling. Respecting the dead
Gertrude proposed to remove the furniture of
the late Mr.. Malcolm room, as it was. to an
other apartment, and keep it as it had been for
so many years together.
Getting the prOprletOr's permission to do
Just as she liked about everything she went
one morning alone to the house, her mother
pr )msed to join her later in the day. Walter
had spent the previous evening with her, and
half in Jest she said to him:
Suppose find your Uncle will, Walter y
Give it to John if you do. 1t is his?'
And will you give me VI?
'No. will work for you until have earn
ed an income to satisfy your father. L vii
never give you up, Ger.
She was thinking of the rpsolute light upon
his handsome face as he said the words. whcr
she entered the room, where Mr.. Malcolm had
50 died, followed by a servant girl and two men
who were to move the furniture.
Reverently she touched the articles halloweC
: by their associations, packing carefully thu
clothing that had never been touched since the
owner wore it, putting aside little articles o
daily use, so useless now to the hands that haC
! off fOuobnd hn oil man had hnaI
k fond of the pretty, bright faced girl his nephew
W loved, and Gertrude tears fell fast over man!
p portions of her morning duty Twelve O'clOcl
r struck, and the servants went to dinner in tn
e kitchen, leaving Gertrude alone in the dis
IN manted room. A bright fire burned in tn
5, CRATE, for the March day was chilly, but tn
A room looked forlOrn even in the freight
g Looking for lost things Gertrude opened
closet where, in one corner pile OF books
s newspapers, and some odds and ends had beel
y. thrown in heap Sorting these over sh
r found under all ragged cashmere dressln
q, gown, that had been very handsome inits days
r " will put this in the trunk of clothing !!
Or she thought, spreading it upon the floor t
lg fold it. Here are some things in the pocket
e A handkerchief, snuff box, and her yer
ID heart stood still, "a folded paper the will !
There was no mistaken the document. Their
n, in her hand lay the will that would take a
Vo his uncles wealth from her lover, break the
RS engagement, deter her marriage till the ia
I'd away time when Walter could earn tortun
ld and give to John LennOx the money that sf
IS thought rightfully belonged to Walter.
n A fierce temptation tugged at Gertrude
as heart. She was alone. Nobody knew th
It, Mr. Malcolm had not repentcd of his act an
ce destroyed the will but herself. Il bright ii
lr. burned beside her. just one moment Of fan
lis and she could secure to Walter his unclc's 70
hn tune, and no one would be the wiser. II
Ity should have scored the thought, have instant
rejected the idea, had she been proper her
0rs inc. But she was not heroine, only a war;
ire hearted, impulsive girl, who loved her prou
cir sed husband very dearly, and who had hop
as for great happiness in her marriage with hll
ore Had the money been hers had she alone be-
lth the loser, she might not have hesitated. b
in- it was Walter who was to lose his fortuu
Walter who was to lose his bride.
les Twice Gertrude stepped toward the hre, h
lde hand Outstretched to put the will upon 9
IA ruddy Goals, and twice conscience held h
lth back. The second time she fell upon her kne
red upon the bare floor and prayed softly, " u
OF help me to resist this temptation.
ave Strengthened, half-lrightened at the thoug
ler- of the crime she had been about to commit, 8
len hastily put on her hat and shawl, and, the "
)w, in hand, left the room.
un- Her feet was still upon the upper stair VIII
his she heard John Lennox in the hall, asking
.us- Walter.
law In moment she was beside him.
walter will not be here till one O'Clock
and she said. " lie is coming with mother, a
her the upholsterer il to meet them.
and IL will return, then. in twenty minutes,
to said, wondering il she had worked hard enou
to make her face so deadly pale.
No, come into the parlor please. l wi
up to speak to you"
lch. Wondering, he followed her, and when tt
and we're inside she drew the will from the folds
was her shawl and put il into his hand.
and Walter told me if found it that was
hand it TO you," she said g. found it in
my pocket of an old dressing gown this mOrnin,
lind MY uncle's willP Do you know its value
J he II know that it takes everything from W
lille ter to give to you.
"And yet you bring it to me-?
man at il yours. do not think it is q j