The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-10-23
TWICE BAFFLED.
BY s. ANNIE FROST.

| 1t is not often the fortunate, or unfortun.
ate, fate Of lawyers, after long course Of
practice to experience unbounded aud sud
den amazement But on the 10th of Febru-
ory, not many yeas ago, James Carter, at
toruey at-law, experienced that sensation.
He had been to wedding in the morning,
the wedding Of Mrs. Roger Melrose widow,
To Mr.. Albert Mclrose, her brother in-law.
The bride, though nearing forty, was very
beautiful still, stylish and wealthy; the
bridegroom handsome man, but two years
older than his wife, was one who lad
squandelel a large patrimony in the "most
gentlemanly manner" and who lounged,
gracefully and well-dressed, through a
thoroughly indolent existence,
Mr.. Carter, alone in his Office, mused over
the events of the day, something in this
fashicni
"ll'm I suppose Roger Melrose's dollars,
so largely increased Of late years 10y success
full speculations, will follow Albert's speed.
ly, along the samo track. All left to his
will Aud Cela's fortune from her grand
father is entirely under her mothers control
until she is twenty-one, nine years from
now. BY this way, if she should die before
she is Of age, Albert Melrose will inherit
that pretty little sum. HIM don't exact
ly admire Mr.. Melrcse. Lawyers have
prejudices, usually founded upon facts. Who
upon the face of the earth can be coming
here OF this hour?"
For the office bell rang sharply, and the
hands OF the clock pointed to one half hour
before midnight And the sensation OF
amazenent already referred TO lell upon
Mr.. Carter, as Mrs Melrose, the bride of
the morning, walked into the Office.
"Kate !" he cried "what has happened?"
But she was SO white and shivering that
he would not let her answer his question
until he had brought her glass of wine,
and seen her drink IT..
"You have known Inc from little chid,p
she said, presently, with white, trembling
lips; edo you think | can be trusted to act
reasonably in great emergency ,"
AYES" he answered, promptly.
"Then will you do what ask now, to-
night, without questioning me2"
81 WILL"
Cecilia is in the carriage at the door, sound
asleep, poor child Will you take her in
here, and to morrow put her in some good
school, not telling me where she is?'
"Kate Are you mad The separation
will kill you /"
"Then it must" was the quiet reply.
"But have more to say. want papers
drawn up at once, giving you full control of
Celias legacy from her grandfather, and
one-half of her fathers estate. You have
managed it all for SO long, that your guard
ianship has really existed since Roger died.
But ! want il legally done, at once. ! want
20 pat every particle ofauthority,that now
hold into your hands. Can you have the
papers ready for my signature tomorrow
VIII you take Celia, noO"
The pleading in Mrs. Merose's voice
could not be resisted by one who had loYed
her all her life, as the old lawyer had done.
"hate," be said, quietly and gravely, "let
me be quite sure understand you perfect
ly. You want Celia removed from your
guardianship entirely, and put into a school,
where youare to be ignorant other address,"
"Hes. l will write to her, and receive
her letters in this Office, through you. Do
not refuse meD
81 will not. Celia is in the earriage?"
"Yes. will bring her here and leave
her."
at will be the kindest not to waken herl"
And bare-headel, in his slippered feet
the old lawoyr went to the carriage, handed
his client in, and saving,
al wilt bring the papers for your sigma.
turn tomorrow" turned away while the
mother pressed one loug. lingering kiss up
on the lips ol her only-child, and returned
to the house with the little girl, still llst
ASLEEP, in his arms.
"Mrs Hsne,'' he said, presently, tapping
at his house keepers door, awill YOU slep
here ons moment"
Some delay, and sleepy elderly woman
stood in the doorway, her dress showing
hdsiy arrangement
"Ths is q ward Of mine" Mr.. Cariersaid;
"please make her comfortable uli 6nd her a
good svhool"
The next morning, Mr.. Albert Melrose,
sorone and smiling, seated at the laxurious
breakfast table in the hcuss he could not
III 80 .... ia