Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-12-15

| ItuuCtu W pcuuIf 10 nOIliDlc W iiVs
Leave the matter in my Lands,
will do what can. II the will s moi
already destro, ed. 1 trust I shall b.
able 10 restore it 10 you.'
M-took his leave. then threw
myself hack IN my easy chair and tor.
turrd my mind for sOme means 10 ds-
cover the missing will. formed half
dozen different plans, but was at loss
to know winch to adopt, for the case
was involved In much difficulty. While
| was thus engaged. my eve fell upon IA
copy of The New York Herald which lay
on my desk. | mechanically took it up
without, however, Intending 10 read il.
Nv eyes rested on a column OF adver-
tisemen.s. Suddenly they were arres
ted by the following, under the head OF
PERSONAL
"A strong will ;an overcome eyery
obstacle. Eight O'Clock tonight. Love
and Joy await you!
started from my chair like one bereft |
OF his senses. A sentiment which
can never explain told ME that l had
iounI clue. The mysterious adver
tisement seemed 10 nee as plain as
daylight. a slronr riH can overcome
every obstacle evidently referred to
the missing document. Eight O'Clock !
tonight was the time appointed for a
rend, zvous. Love and JOY await you,
meant that the place Of meeting was to
be Loyejpy's hotel
WAS very much pleased with this |
discovery, for besides my wish 10 obligc
NJ l really felt a great esteem for
Mary Norval, while OIL tie other hand
| knew her cousin to be a worthless
Young man. I felt perfectly certain
that he was at the bottom Of the con-
spiracy, aud that he had in all probabil-
ity brbrd one OF Ms clerks. |
almost fancied that had the will again |
in my possession, and l pictured 10 my
self Ms JOY at recovering it again !
from m! hands. Ny mind was I'm.
mediately made up what 10 do. | de.
termIned that I would visit Lovcioy's !
hotel, and be present at the interview.
sat and watched the clock until the !
hour should arrive. How slowly the /
time passed At last the hour pointed |
80. rose up, put on my overcoat. /
aud departed on my errand. 1t was
0ilter cold winters night. The snow
was drifting directly in my face. but still
pres, ed on. I soon reached the hotel |
and entered one of the private supper
rooms. These rooms as every ircquen-
.er OF Lovejoy's knows, are dividcd |
only by a thin PARTON from each other
so that conversation carried on in the |
adjpining apartments, can, by attentive /
listeners, be overheard. l ordered my
supper. aud while pretending to eat it.
| kept my ears open. Some time /
passed and no touud reached me. Az
last heard The sound Of door ssulliug |
and one person entered the room ou
my right; few minnles more elapsed, |
and again the door shut. The frs
person had been joined BY another.
crept cautiously up to the partition and
fixed nv ear to it.
'Mr. Norvnl, exclaimed \ voice which |
| did not recognize, i am glad 10 SEE
you
And | assure you, Mr. Mills, am
more pleased to sec you. saw your
advertisement in to days Herald, and
Am here 10 consequence
i knew Mr.. Mils was Ms con-
iidrntal clerk. The other speaker was
of course Charles NorSnl.
Yes, worded i! as agreed con"
linurd the clerk. i was almost afraid. |
however, you might have forgotten 1t, !
aud feared it would be too obscure
But it vas necessary, you know, TO
blind others eyes
o yes, l understand all about that.
When did you get hold Of the precious
documentn
Only yesterday. You know he had
left the will in his private desk, and it
was only by chance that obtained the
kew. The moment / did so, l sriz d
!he document, and put IN its place a
piece Of blank paper
DO you think he has discovered the
loss ,ets'
oh, no; am certain he has not. l
have watched him we'll all day.
We'll, then, now to business said
Young Norval How much do you want
( the willf'
1t is very valuable paper, Mr.. Nor
val replied the villaInous clerk. i
suppose you know its provisions
oh. yes; overheard M read
the paper after nc had drawn it Up. |
know that father has left cousin Mars
everything, while on me, his lawful
heir. he has enly settled miserable
pension. When that document is
burned, will bring her naughty spirit
down. She will cringe and hwn on
me then. Bot come, what am to
give you tor ts'
You shall give me your note Of hand
for s5. 900 payable when you come into
the property
'Aerccd-agreed! Here, Hill write
it on the spot
could hear them arranging some
papers on tbs table. / cautiously left
the apartment. and crept noIselessly to
tho door of the room where this worthy