Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-06-03

her character. She might have been
thirty-six, only she didn't look like it,
with those brilliant black eyes, pearly
teeth and elegant manners but be-
hind all these, I read the positive
force that, turned to good may save
country, but given over to evil
would sacrifice every principle to sue
cess.
No;sslessly she glided over the car
pets, and silently followed her. She
passed into the library, and from
thence-as iastinctively l felt-into
the chamber Of death even elegant
furniture and costly paintings and
embroidered coverlets, are not to over
awe my destiny.
"Mr. Cecil, the lawyer has come"
she said softly, as she stopped over the
emaciated face of silver-haired man.
"What? Who?" as he started
from seeming stupcr and looked
wonderingly at me from his suDken
eyes.
"He will read it to you now, Mr..
Cecil :" adding in low tone: "He
is sinking rapidly; I fear you must
hasten"
I felt that l must; I had seated my
self by his bedside, and as did SO, |
saw his lips tremble, and I believed
they were breathing a name 1 imag-
ined it was "Mabel."
Our boldest moves are born upon
the spur of the moment.
"Mrs. Cecil, may I thank you for
glass of water p as I took out the will
she had drawn.
"Quick, sir, quickl" said I, as Ino-
ticed his aunken eyes watching her
fastening footsteps.
"Do you want your daughter to
have all your property, save what the
law gives your wife p
He started back from me SIS if he
could not trust his own senses, or was
doubling whether to put confidence
in me, but he seemed to feel the ne
cessity of doing so, and suddenly the
dull eyes frightened with moment
ary CLEAN of relief and joy, as he
clearly answered
eyes, yesl And God bless you "
And I too was thanking heaven,
for the whim that had led me to write
two wills SO very much alike in length
and appearance, ard it was only the
work of moment to make the ex-
change, ard just in time.
With Mrs. Cecil camo the house,
keeper and man.servant. and in their
presence the dying man signed his
name to the second will, and they
witnessed it.
They had gone and started to go,
when the old man pressed my hand,
and l cav the tears gathering in his
eyes. As turned to go, I involdn-
tarily felt the black eyes of Madam
Cecil had witnessed all and suspected
everything.
"I should like to see that will?' she
firmly aaid, in low voice.
"Some other time. He's dying,
Mrs. Cecil"
$50 much the greater reason, sir |
Show it to me r
I looked her calmly and suggestive
ly in the face, and then started for
the door.
"Stop |" she cried, and tiny, sill
ver-mounted d revolver cleaned in her
hand.
"My God Mrs. Cecil" l cried,
"you have killed him !" as heard a
strange sound behind me, and would
have turned though all the pistols in
the universe were turned against me.
The old mans arms had been turned
/, as if in prayer, but now sank withered
upon the pillow, whilst his eyes stared
at us in the rigidity Of death.
Instinctively Madam Cecil seemed
10 recognize that it was all over, and,
lowering her weapon, hissed at me
between her pearly teeth:
"You have played me false-go.
And l went, gladly enough from
the brown.stone front, with its treach-
ery and avarice, into the dark night
and muddy streets.
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