Litchfield enquirer., 1881-03-24
- 'T---I I----- VI -'-I17| ' -
 WHO'LL NC,.' .-!Ji2


 wraps on the floor, and bounded upstairs.
 My darling, my darlingl' was all he could say at first, between 8 shower of kisses. How have longed for you all these weary months r f5 ..- .....r..,.I.
 And for you, she whispered shyly, as she looked up into his face, bronzed and older looking, but handsomer than ever, she thought with thrill of pride
 And to find you here to welcome me it seems like fairy talel You must have be- witched my grandfather. And your eyes. darling he went on tsnderly, bending to look into them. If you had told me that trouble before, l should never have left you. Are they better?' ..
 So much better that warn you I shall be able to detect all the faults in your pictures was her laughing reply. But you haven't ex- plained yet why you are here four days before your time? We did not expect you till Christ mas Eve'
 Ifeared if delayed should be snow. bound. There have been several falls, and some of the lines are blocked
 ln I am glad you came to day she said more grayely. I have been anxious
 Is my grandfather worse ? he asked quick ly. -
 si I fear so, though he will net admit it. He was speaking of you just now. l know he longs to see you. Come
 Hand in hand they passed into the room, bright with firellght aud lamp-light. The old merchant had not moved. His head rested against the back of the chair; his hands were folded in au attitude of peaceful repose < He is asleep she whispered; he Oh, Bernhardt, what is it ? For the young man, after one glance at the placid face, uttered an inarticulate cry. and sank on his knees before the chair. Monsieur Vanderhaven was sleep ing the sleep that knows no waking
 III.
 It was Christmas Eve. The grave had closed over Nicholas Vanderhaven. All the dismal hustle of the funeral was over and those interested in the old merchants will were assembled in the dining room to hear it read 1by the notary. The party was not a large one, consisting only of Bernhardt, his cousin, Cornelius Dewint, from Antwerp, a stout, tiorid, prosperous-looking parsonage of middle age, with loud voice and self-asser- tive manner; Ursula, and Jacob the butler. and lastly, Annette, who was present at Bern hardts desire. The notary, little, spare, high-dried man, in a dusty brown wig, and gold eyeglasses, glanced round at the party as he unfolded sheet of cracking parchment.
 This will was deposited with me by my late client some SIX months ago. he began 'It--'
 Excuse me- Maitre Jansen. Bernhardt in- terrupted: I am informed that there is a later one, which my grandfather made only few hours before his death
 Yes, he wrote it in my presence Annette put in.
 And we witnessed it, Jacob and L. spoke old Ursula. The master sent for us on pur- pose.'
 Monsieur Dewint wheeled round in his chair, and stared from one speaker to another, while the lawyer looked under his eye-glass at Annette. Indeed? was not aware of it, he said
 Monsieur Vanderhaven intended to have placed it with you the next morning, she con- tinued. He said the first will was made in moment of irritation, and he wished it 10 be destroyed before Bernhardt returned
 AS Mademoiselle was SO far in my uncle's confidence, perhaps she can tell us the con- tents of this second will ? suggested Corne- lius, with yelled sheer which brought the color to Bernhardt's cheek
 Yes, Annette answered quietly. M. Van derhaven told me that his grandson would in- herit everything except the business at Ant. werp, which was left to yourself, Monsieur , He gave sort of grunt and pulled his beard discontentedly.
 Well, where is iii Why is it not produc- ed was his demand.
 We have not looked for it yet, Bernhardt replied, but it must be somewhere in the ban quet-room, as my grandfather never left that apartment alive aft CT he made it.
 Then we must find it at once,' Maitre Jansen said, rising. If it exists thIs is SO much waste paper and he threw the parch- ment on to the table.
 All the same, perhaps you will oblige me by reading that, Cornelius Dewint suggested The notary glanced at Bernhardt.
 By all means, if my cousin wishes it, re- piled the latter, I think can guess the con- tents.
 The document was short and to the poInt. The business at Antwerp, and all the real and personal -ehargeable with annuities for the old servants--were lefC to Cornelius De. wint, on condition that he neither let, sold or demolished the old Guildhouse, while Bern- hardt came in for an ironicaI bequest of five hundred francs-'to buy paint and canvas Annette looked distressed, and the young man flushed hotly. r ~ -.
 I don't wonder my grandfather wasanxious to revoke will so unjust, he commented.
 It remains to be proved whether he did re- yoke it, was his cousln'S remark. q have a sort of presentimeDt that this second docu- ment will not be forthcoming'
 Beruhardt answered only by a slight shrug, as he rose and led the way to the banquet room. Nothing had been disturbed since the old merchants death. His chair still stood in it's place with the screen behind it the ashes remained on the cold hearth. Annette's knit ting lay where she had thrown it down. In- expressibly forlorn it all looked in the waning light of the winter afternoon, and in their various ways every member of the party felt the depressing influence of the scene "' If the paper is within these four walls we shall soon find it., the notary observed. un- consciously lowering his voice, And indeed. with the exception of an old press, where Bernhardt had been in the habit of keeping his painting materials. there seemed no place where It could be slowed away. tsf...... ..
 The will was not in the press however, nor was it to be found elsewhere. They searched systematically examining every nook and corner of the old room. sounding the panel ling and the flooring, looking behind and up. der the furniture, aud not desisting in their quest till everyone, except Annette, was con- vinced that it was in vain.
 'Rut 1t must be here,' the girl exclaimed ex citedly; it cannot have been spirited away. M, Vanderhayen told me that he had put it in safe place---'
 The fre probably was Cornelius De- wint's suggestion. My belief is-witb all difference to 'Madernoiselle- that my uncle changed his mind at the last moment, and de etfoyeQ lt. .h -5 -.,'e ef' F., tfy.g -lF .. Il an positive he did not she asserted. He was scarcely alone with it a moment, for directly the servants left him, returned. and 1t was then that he told me the contents. He was standing there by the chimney. niece. : Bernhardt, who stood near the window look ing out into the dusk, turned and beckoned to her. Did you not tell me that lie had been burning paper?' he asked in an undertone Yes, but it--. thought it was the rough draft ofsthe will Might he not, by inadyer tance, have destroyed the will itself p Sine did not answer, but her heart sank. It seemed only too likely that such was the case. There was a pause. It was nearly dark now and the faces of the little group were lit by d alamn on the chimney-piece. The young man stood with bis back to the rest, looking down at the market-place, where the snow was falling heavily. At length the silence was broken bY Monsieur Dewint, who left the notary's siGe aIiit Annrnachad hia coi,ain .--Ll - ~