The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-04-21
NOT so BAD, AFTER ALL.

rich reputedly, and the proprietor OF 0
handsome country cottage. where he lived
with a couple of orphan nieces. cousins of
each other, who composed his household.
OF these Fannie White, by far the ret
tier and better of the two, was her uncle's
favorite-at least people thought so till the
day his will was opened.
This was not the only ground Nora Les.
ter, Fanaie's cousin, had for jealousy.
Willard Notion was the dnshingest of beaux,
and from the time Nora met him, while
visiting some city friends, she had marked
him for her own. The gentleman seemed
quite smitten with her charms at first. and
remained as constant rs mniden's heart
could wish till the day he saw Fannie
White
From that day Nora marked a change in
Mr.. Norton. For u time his attentions were
pretty evenly divided between her cousin
and herself then Fannie received the
larger share. and very soon the whole, which
filed the soul Of Nora with fury.
Now. if Nora had only opened her heart
70 Fannie, with cousinly frankness, she
would have spared herself a deal of ~self-tor-
menting: for Fannie would have told her,
first of all, how very little she cares for Mr..
Norton, and then, as n great secret, how
very much she did care for Edward Tracey.
But Nora preferred TO brood over her
fancied wrongs. and began to hate her cous-
in with an intensity which the latter was
alike incapable OF conceiving or suspecting.
1T is not because she is mort beautiful
than /. but because he thinks she will stand
better in our uncle's will shrewdly reason
ed Nora with her.elf.
The death OF Jared Treat, and the read
ing of his will n few days after, occasioned
4 change in the relative positions of the
cousins.
When old Mr.. Gravclkind, in a suit Of
solemn black, read to the assembled rela-
tiyes the document in question, it seemed to
sound fair enough II gave his house,
place, furniture, money and stock, describ-
ing the whole infinitely, to his beloved
niece. Nora Lester and all the rest and
residue Of my property" the will went on,
~ bequeath 70 my beloved niece, Frances
White"
what other property had he ?" inquired
Il curious relative.
None that / know Of" answered Mr..
Gravelkind.
So Fannie, whom every one had looked
upon as safe for the lions share, though
nominally decla cd res.duary legatee, was
really. it appeared, legatee OF nothing.
Just like the old deceiver " broke out
Matilda Bigg1, when she heard about it, to
deludo the girls false hopes. and then cut
her of with nothing, pretending it was
something ~
Matilda Biggs, we should explain. had
kept her cap set for Mr.. Treat for many
years, never giving up the pursuit till It's
object took refuge in the grave-a species
Of nbsconding which she resented as n fraud
on her Affections, which II would be over
taxing Christian charity to ask her to for
give.
When Nora Lester heard Mr.. Gravelkind's
announcement, there was n CLEAN of malig-
pant satisfaction in her eyes and that very
evening she gave her cousin to understand
that she could no longer remain n guest in
her house.
Poor Fannie was surprised and shocked.
She had noticed and been paiued ut Nora's
GOODNESS of late but OF it, cause, and the
unrelenting hatred which uuderiay it, she
was wholly unconscious,
IL shall expect you to find another home
tomorrow" said Nora
There was something so hard and cruel
In the tone and look, that Fannie shrank
back affrighted.
will leave at once" she faltered pit
eously.
Al you please, :" answered Nora, turning
her back haughtily.
Fannie went to her room hastily packing
. few thiugs-she hardly knew what was
hem now-descended the stairs, and passed
ont TO the street
She Was hurTying away, without thinking
whittier, when q familiar, kindly voice ar
rested her steps.
Where are you going, Fannie p"
Mr. Proctor she began, and then
broke out in q Hood of tears.
Ezra Proctor, Mr.. Grayelkind's partner,
had been Mr.. Treats most confidential
friend, though it was not he who had drawn
his will
After n few soothing words from the
Kindly old lawyer, Fannie became more
composed. and was able TO explain her sit
nation
You must come home with me till we
can find you n better place" said Mr.. Proc.
'or, drawing her arm within his own ~
was Just coming tor you"
Fannie aliowea herself to be led away,
not knowing, i'll her helplessness, what else
TO do.
As soon as etiquette would permit Miss
Lester to receive visitors. among the first
10 come wns Willard Nlr.on. Though Mr..
Treat estate didn't foot up anything like
what had been expected, stll it wa MT to
oe Gespised-at last Mr.. Norton thought
He had little difficulty in convincing Nora
that he never thought Of any one but her
An engagement followed, and in due time
Nora Lester lecauie Mrs. Willard Norton,
We Lrc quite sure, We may add, that Fan.
ME White felt no paug of jealousy on the
occasion.
Fannie was undecided whether to teach
music, 90 out as aEoye.Dess, or tke a place
Ia . millinery stor..
ASolutiou OF her doubts came uuexrect.
edly one day.
Edward IrHcey had long loved little Fan.
ME. She knew II. though he had never
told her of it, He was n Young do-tor lust
oeg1nn .ng Practice, ans, in her uncie's life
time, bai not felt tree 70 ask her to leave
a home OF comfort u share his poverty. By
degrees he had won his way. and was now
IN receipt of a certain i~ncoA-e, and felt TINT
at last he had u right to spe * his mind to
Fannie, and he spoke it like a man. We
will not say how Fannie answered him ; the
read will surnise that.
On the day before their wedding, Fannie
and Edward Tracey. in obedience to n writ
ten invitation went to the office OF Messrs.
G~r-ve!kind u Proctor, where they found
that Mr.. and Mrs. Norton had arrived be-
fore them
When they had all been conducted to
Mr.. Proctors private room and seated, that
gentleman thus began:
II time has come when It is proper To
disclose u matter III connection with Mr.
Treats estate, known, Is yet, TO no one but
myself"
There was u curious exchange of looks
between the four auui ors.
BY Mr.. Treat's will continued Mr.
Proctor, 'readb Mr.. Gravelkind, In the pres.
ence Of those ip.er,sted shortly after the
tstator's, &c nh, certain spec tic prop.rtv
was given to his niece, Nora Lester, now
Ms E%erton"'