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

81 will leave at once" she faltered piteousy
"As you please" answered Nora turning
her back Indignantly.
Fannie went to her room, hastily packed a
flew things-shc hardly knew what was hers
1now-put on her bonnet and shawl descended
1.-THE stairs, and passed out to the street.
She was hurrying away, without thinking
whittier when Il familiar kindly voice arrested
her steps.
'Wherc are you going Fanny"
"Oh, Mr. Proctor" she began, and then
broke out in a flood of tears.
Ezra Proctor Mr.. Gravclkind's 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.
| "GOu must come home with me till we ina
you a better place." said Mr. Proctor, drawing
her arm within his own. II 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 despiscd-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-
CasiOn.
Fannie was undecided whether to teach mu.
sic, go out as govcrness or take place in Il
millinery store.
A solution of her doubts came Unexpectedly
one day.
Edward Tracey had long loved Fanny. She
knew il, although he had never told her OF 1t.
He was young doctor, just beginning prac.
tice, 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 Il certain in
come and he felt that at last he had a right to
speak his mind to Fannie, and he spoke it
like a man. We will not say how Fannie an
swered him; the reader will surmiSe that.
On the day before their wedding Fannie
White and Edward Tracey in obedience TO "A
written invitation, went to the office Of McSsrS
Gravclkind q Proctor, where they also found
that Mr. and Mrs. Norton had arrived before
them.
When they had all been conducted to Mr.
PrOcOr's private room and seated, that gentle
man thus begun:
THE time has come when it is proper to
disclose IA matter in connection with Mr.
Treats estate, known rs yet to no one but
myself"
There was a 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 testators
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
as there was no residue" put in Mr. Nor
ton, "it can't he necessary to waste time about
that"
"Thc residue of Mr. Treats property" pro
ceedcd Mr.. Proctor, dsrcgarding the Interrupt
ton, "was bequeathcd to another niece, Miss |
Fannie White, here present. There was aresi.
due and | now deliver it to the proper owner
As he spoke he placed in Fannic's hand .
small wooden box.
"Aly dear, it must be your late unClc's snuff
box" snceringly said Mr. Norton to his wife !
"Lct me open it," said Mr.. Proctor seeing
that Fannie's hand trcmbled.
He touched hidden spring, and the lid !
flew up. A brilliant CLEAN dazzled Fannie's
eyes Within the box, which was lined with
velvet, was diamond larger and finer than
she had ever seen or dreamed Of whose faces |
as she held it in her hand, poured forth rays of
many-colored light
In the bottom of the box was II small folded
paper. Mr. Proctor opend 1t and read;
"ln this gem have invested 100000. I'll
will never be worth less. 1t is my ncce's,
Fannie Whites legacy, entrusted to the keep
ing Of my friend Ezra Proctor. wish it to
remain II 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 mate ~