The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-07-13

81 will leave at once" she fatercd piteously
"As you please" answered Nora, turning
her back Indignantly.
| Fannie went to her room, hastily packed ;
few things-shc hardly knew what was her,
1now-put on her bonnet and shawl, descended
the stairs, and passed out to the street
She was hurryng away, without thinking
whittier, when familiar, kindly voice arrested
her steps.
"Wherc are you going, Fanny"
"Oh, Mr.. Proctor" she began, and ther
broke out in a flood of tears.
Ezra Proctor, Mr. Gravckinds partner, had
been Mr.. Treats most confidential friend
though it was not he who had drawn the will
After few soothing words from the kindly
old lawyer Fannie became more composed and
was able to explain her situation.
"You must come home with me till we find
you better place." said Mr.. Proctor, drawing
her arm within his own. 81 was just coming
for YOU"
| Fannie allowed herself to be led away, not
knowing in her extreme hclpleSsness what else
to do.
AS soon as etiquette would allow Miss Les
ter to receive visitors, among the first to come
was Willard Norton. Though Mr.. Treats es-
tate didn't foot up anything as was expected,
still it wasn't to be dcspised-at least so Mr..
Norton thought.
He had little difficulty convincing Nora
that he had never thought of anyone but her.
An engagement followed, and in due time
Nora Lester became Mrs. Willard Norton.
We are quite sure we may add that Fannie
White felt no real pang of jealousy on the oc-
Cason.
Fannie was undecided whether to teach mu-
sic go out rs gOvcrness, or take place in IA
millinery store.
A solution of her doubts came Unexpectedly
one day.
Edward Tracey had long loved Fanny. She
knew it, although he had never told her of it,.
He was young doctor, just beginning prac-
ticc, and in her uncles lifetime had not felt
| free to ask her to leave home of comfort to
share his poverty. BY degrees he had won his
way and was now in receipt of certain in
come, and he felt that ut last he had right to
speak his mind to Fannie, and he spoke it
like man. We will not say how Fannie an
swercd him; the reader will surmise that.
On the day before their wedding Fannie
White and Edward Tracey, in obedience to n
written invitation, went to the office of Mcssrs.
Gravekind IL Proctor, where they also found
that Mr. and Mrs Norton had arrived before
them.
When they had all been conducted to Mr..
Proctor's private room and seated, that gentle.
man thus begun:
THE time has come when it is proper to
disclose a matter in connection with Mr..
Treats estate, known rs yet to no one but
myself"
There was curious exchange of looks be-
tween the four auditors.
"By Mr.. Treats will" continued Mr.. Proc
tor, "read by Mr. Gravelkind in the presence
of those interested, shortly after the testator's
death certain specific property was given to
his niece, Nora Lester, now Mrs. Norton"
That fortunate lady smiled complaCently.
THE residue of Mr. Treats property"
CAS- there was no residue" put in Mr.. Nor
ton, "it can't he necessary to waste time about
that"
"The residue of Mr. Treats property" pro.
cceded Mr. Proctor, dsrcgarding the Interrupt
ton, 'was bequeathed to another niece, Miss
Fannie White, here present There was Il resi-.
due, and | now deliver it to the proper owner"
As he spoke he placed in Fannie's hand
small wooden box
"My dear, it must be your late unclc's snuff
box" snccringly said Mr. Norton to his wife
"Let me open it," said Mr.. Proctor seeing
that Fannic's hand trcmbled.
He touched a hidden spring, and the lid
flew up, A brilliant CLEAN dazzlcd Fannic's
eyes. Within the box, which was lined with
velvet, was "A diamond larger and finer than
shc nav c'ti scci VI uicaihcu W. Whoac laCcS,
as she held it in her hand, poured forth rays of
manycolored light.
In the bottom of the box was small folded
paper Mr.. Proctor opend 1t and read
"ln this gem have invested 100000. 1t
will never be worth less. 1t is my nleces,
Fannie Whites legacy, entrusted to the keep
ing of my friend Ezra Proctor. wish it to
remain secret for two years, unless within
that time some worthy man shall WOO Fannie
for her own sake; then let it be given her the
day before her wedding"
Willard Norton and his wife took their
leave, the former muttcring something not
quite in the tone used. by the gentle turtle to
his mntpn