The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-08-26

tue Opcu HiuuO0y UViuS tpS fotSA tSi
me; but the poker descended with
considerable force on the spot where
be should have been. The same
instant / heard sharp clicking noise,
and the shield slid away, revealing
to my astonished gaze small
chamber constructed in the massive
chimney
In this novel hiding place lay a
pile of papers. Trembling e good
deal, caught up the topmost one
and hastily examined it by the aid of
the Pickering candle Instantly |
knew that my startled conjecture
was shrewd one, and that | now
held in my hand Madame Belgraye's
true and last viii and testament, and
Lawrence Belgrave, not /, was the
rightful owner of Roundwood.
1t was scarcely pleasant discoy-
cry to make. Thoroughly bewilder-
ed, | dropped in one of the quaint,
easy chairs, trying hard to command
my wandering senses sufficiently TO
realize it in all its bearings. My
candle sputtered and went out pres
emily, but still sat there quite obliv-
ious to the fact, thinking only of my
loneliness and the treadmill of power
ty to which must return. At last
was aroused by a rustling sound,
and muffled step on the balcony
without. With a sudden thrill Of
horror | beheld a dark figure rise up
before the window and slide noise
lessly over the sill. The next in
stant lark lantern flashed its light
over tAs room. | started to my feet
with a shrek of Uncomfortable terror (;
in an attempt to rush to the door my
limbs failed utterly, and | crouched
pale and painting against the wall.
"Miss Lane, you here p' said a
voice; and the man put down the
lantern and came towards me. 81
beg thousand pardons for giving
you such a start"
1t was Lawrence. rose Up again,
thoroughly ashamed of myself for
having manifested such extreme ter
ror.
"My emotion was excusable," said
| with all the old sauciness, for /
had grown bold as lion again, now
there was no real horror TO confront.
Il did not expect to see yoC at
Roundwood, tonight, hence my sur
prise"
"The fact is" be replied, manifest
ing considerable confusion, 81 have
come here for every night for two
weeks back, hunting for Madame
Belgrave's will. Lawyer Greene has
told me she made one about six
months since. He thinks she destroy
ed it afterwards, as it has not come
to light. | hold to different opin-
ion. The will was in my favor, as
you may readily guess, and | believe
it is hidden in some place which
Madame was prevented from dis
closing by the awful suddenness of
her death"
"Then you were the ghost"
gasped
al suppose / must have been"
"Well, it's laid forever, You have
no further need to haunt this apart
ment. Here is the missing document
for which you have been searching;
tomorrow | will abdicate as grace
fully as possible. and Richard shall
have his own again"
And while be stood staring at me
as if quite dumbfounded. | pushed d
tie will into bis hand and made a
second effort to gain the door.
This time it was Lawrence who
detained me fLrcibly.
Don't go, Madelon," he whisper
ed, his arm gathering me close to
his side. Now ! can speak my
mind III not be master here unless
you consent to be mistress, for | love
you too dearly. What say your"
will not repeat my answer he,e e.
But if Aunt Jerusha had buried to
my assistance-as she declared she
would do-a few minutes after | first
shrieked for assistance, she would
have beheld a tableau that might
have given quite shock to her strict
ideas of propriety.