The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1880-10-13

no papers anywhere. Many things
which must have been the personal
property Of old Squire Prudenel she
found, but nowhere his will.
"oh, if ! only could-if / only
coaldl' she said, sadly, land it would
restore Philip to his rightsl"
Rat, tat, tat-the sound of a cane
on the tilted floor. Rae turned for
the first time, her eyes wide with
fright. The enthusiasm with which
she had entertained her generous
purpose had made her utterly forget
fol Of herself. Now some one was
coming.
The door swung slowly on its tar.
nished silverhinges. Aquaint, bent
little figure, leaning on a cane, adj
vanced into the room and paused be.
side handsome carved armchair
which stood before table. Lifting
the cane, the bent little old woman
knocked smartly thrice on the seat of
this chair, filing the room with a
hollow, sound, then, resuming her
feeble walk, she passed out Of the
apartment by another door.
Tremblingly, doubtingly, Raecuri-
ously approached the chair. The
blowsof thecane seemed to have dis.
turbed or broken the seat, for it was
awry, plainly revealing cavity be-
meath. Turning the chair to the
light, Rae looked within and saw
distinctly folded paper.
1t was large sheet, yellow, and
thick as vellum. Her hands trem-
bled as she unfolded it and read: "My
last will and testament, Paul Brud.
enel," and it dropped to the floor.
Snatching it up she ran-raD swift.
ly out Of the house, and flew noise
lessly and shaking to Fannie's door.
II have found It'll have found
itl' she cried, iinging her arms
around the amazed, white-robed fig
ure who admitted her to Fannie's
chamber.
"Found what? Are you sick2 Are
you crazy2" asked gentle Fannie
Brudenel.
"The other will-within a chair
an old armchair in the house in the
hollow. A ghost showed it to mel"
answered Rae, holding the paper
aloft.
There was a knock at the chamber
door.
"Sister, what is the matter2 What
disturbs the housep"
II was Philips voice.
81 have found the will! Come in
and read it!'' cried Rae, dragging
him in.
She gave him the paper; she light
ed lamp. He was forced to read
Struggling for calmness as he pro-
ceeded, he read to the end. Yes, late,
but not too late, the precious docu,
ment was found-the second will of
Paul Brudenel, Internationally be-
queathing all he possessed to these
two, his grandchildren.
In the exciting talk which follow.
ed no one heard a slender cane go
rattat-tat past the door, when the
blue morning light dawned and Fan.
ME bestirred herself to get break
fast, she went first to her mothers
room.
philip" she said, coming back,
"mother has had one of her bad
nights again. She has been up and
away. | must have slept much more
soundly than usual; she never eluded
me before. She is very much ex-
hausted."
Philip went instantly to attend
his mother. When, the next day,
she seemed restored to her wonten
condition, and Rae had infinitely
told her story, they closely question
ed Mrs. Brudenel as to her visit to
the house in the hollow, and tried to
discover if she had any knowledge
of the hiding place of the will. But
nothing could be gained from her
disordered mind. She would only
shake her head and smile.
GLOW dare you go on such an ex-
petition to that lonely place at such
an uncanny hour, Rae?" asked Phil
ip, the next evening, when, embra-
ced by his arm, they had talked over
the happy prospect of their immedi.