The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-07-08

| 'ouo uOt Iuy uduRuteTl sue hbbHSIcu
with the slightest token of gathering
animation in her voice.
"Ab, yes; just 30 !" said 1, nervously
fumbling with the paper "She's your
step-daughter."
eyes. sir"
whats her name You see must
mention it."
"Mabel Cecil" sbe haltingly spoke.
"a deuced pretty name T. remarked
to myself. II wonder why she wants
to stumble so over pronouncing it," Aud
then tried to fotget all about 1t as
took up my pen and began: I'll"
"Ahl pardon me, madam, but what's
your husbands name1'
What fools men are when little ex4
cited, especially young men, more es-
pecially young lawyers sitting up with
an early easel
"Robert E. Cecil"
Il, Robert E. Cecil, Of the County of
Herkimer, and State of -, do make
and publish this my last will and tesla
ment.
II give, bequeath and devise to my
dearly beloved WIFE"
"Ahl psfdoh madam but what's your
maine 7"
"Lucy L. Cecil"
ITO my dearly beloved wife, Lucy L
Cecil, all my real and personal property
of Whatsoever kind and nature, after the
payment of all my just debts and here
by commit to her guardianship my only
child, Mabel Cecil. for whom there shall
be made such allowance and maintenance
as to my beloved wife may seem fit.
Sand l hereby appoint Lucy L. Cecil
my sole executrix Of this my last will and
testament, hereby revoking all former
wills by me made.
SIN witness whereof have hefeuhtG
set my hand, this third day of November,
A. D. 1S7-."
II stippose you understand, under
took to explain, 'that this will vests all
your husbands property in yoti, 30 as to
leave your daughters allowances to your
discretion, is 10 leave hef at law nothing
in het own right. The pfovisich Is; In
short, meaningless, except that it shows
the testator had her in mind when he
made his will. and so far makes it all the
more binding"
"E1sctlyf' she spoke with animation;
and then, seeming to recall hetssf, ad-
ded; 'it's his wish-and shall see that
you are well paid for your trouble aud
ceunsel-the carriage will be here very
soon." And she had gone as quietly as
she had come.
That remark about payment had en-.
tered very threadbate coat and struck
right home
But it's too mean, ali the same pay
or no pay" 1 growled. ITO cut that
girl off that way without cent? But i,'s
the old st;ry and-I can't help ii!' as 1
sank back with philosophical smile , Ii
my face.
Then-just In spoft in fit of malig-
napt satisfaction-I took up sect nd
sheet of legal cap, and scribbled there
upon, with formal opening and close,
that this same Robert e. Cecil gave all
his property to his dearly beloved da, gh-
ter, Mabel Cecil, and left the lad, OF The
veil where the law found her.
bat such is the history of the worldr
l concltided soIemnly, sever such; and
what gulf, deep. impossible. between
what ought TO be aud what is! How 1
should like to bridge it over!" And /
buttored DIP my coat, and walking to
the window, imagined could see through
the darkness the. coming of the carriage
of Madam Cecil.
The time dragged slowly, very slowly,
and 1 never felt more genuine relief IN
hearing heavy wheels grinding through
the mud aud slush, and IL knockir at
the door to notify me that all was ready
Isprang into the carriage, and away
We dashed through the darkness. now so
heavy and sullen that conld not, fo- the
life of me, discover to what part of the
town We were being driven. Bat it SEEM
ed very short time before We came TO a
sudden halt, and the carriage door open
cd. The ccachman conducted me up the
brown stone steps, where the open door
WAS already waiting me. and stepped
into the dimly lighted hall.
As did 70, lady whose figure and
manners told me was Madam Cecil, glided
from side room, and with little plain
tive smile, bid me follow her at once.
But in that instant had read her face,
and perhaps her character. She might
have been thirty-hve, ohly she didn't look
it, with those black eyes, pesrly teeth,
and elegant manners: but behind all
these I read the positive force that, turned
to good. may save country, but given
to evil, would sacrifice every principle
TO success.
Noisslessly she glided over the heavy
carpets, and as silently l followed her.
She passed into the library. and from
thence-as instinctively felt-into the
chamber of death; even the elegant fur
niture and costly paintings and embroid-
cred coverlets are not TO over awe our
destiny.
"Mr, Cecil, the lawyer has GOMEZ" she
softly said. as she stopped over the emac-
lated face of sllver-hairsd man.
"whatt who7' as he started from a
seeming stupor, and looked wondering
ly at me from his sunken eyes.
"He will read it to you now. Nr, Ce-
Gil" adding, in a low tone, "He is sink
I - = ~. a A