Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-04-09
Misffllanfnns
rnE LOST WILL
Continued from yesterday

$50 do not L. replied Robert women
are mercenary. See how quickly Florence
Huptly has thrown me over. 1t was
worth the loss of the fortune to find her
out. Fancy marrying girl in the belief
that she really loved you. and aiterward
discovering that she only wanted your
purse. That would have been my fate il
I'd got the fortune. was hard hit too,
while | though her a woman with loving
heart, but shall survive my disappoint-
ment. If thought there was any dan
ger of Miss Gray's iDdulging in any
Ouixotic acts OF remuneration | should
| take measures to prevent it but you won
find much of that kind of thing among
women. believe me-"
And Mr.. Wilde began to think the same
as time went on. For six months Marion
went quietly on her way, obeying-whlle
the lawyer accused her OF ignoring-the
wishes of the dead.
Robert was an apt writer and had OBJ
tanned employment on the press, where
| by he made living. Marion rolled BY
/ him in his uncle's carriage in the street.
1t seemed as if the ungrateful cookoo had
pushed the true bird out of the nest, after
all.
ercenary-mereenary to the core
was Roberts reflection, as he lifted his
| hat to his uncle's heress as she rode by,
and admired. in spite of himself. her
sweet. pale face. Looks as II there
might be heart and soul behind those
soft dark eyes-looks like a woman to
love and he loved. but they're all alike
mercenary to the very core -
! And he was sensible of feeling of dis
appointment over Marian.
..She would be higher. truer. better
| type of woman than this Florence was, if
appearance go for anything at all. She
should have been willing to give up to me
the fortune. | wouldn't have accepted the
sacrifice but | could have admired and
respected her for being ready to make it.
But they're all alike"
| Reaching his lodgings he found Mr..
Wilde waiting for him in a tremendous
state of excitement, and holding an open
letter in his hand
| Look here Just received this. Lis
ten ~
Dear sir-Be good enough to call upon
me at O'Clock, P. NJ, and bring MIR.
Rushford with you. The will is found, |
have sincere pleasure in placing the true
heir in possession of his own at last.
Very respectfully,
MARIAN GRAY"
"Where was it found? Where was it
found P" cried Mr.. Wilde. as Marian gave
the document into his hands. "Where on
earth was it found. my DEAR"
ut was never lost" said Marian. quiet
ly.
And then she told them all.
"Old Mr. Rusbford knew of his nephew's
love for Miss Huntlev. and did not ap-
prove of it. Yet he feared that to oppose
It would only confirm the fancy. He had
great confidence in me, gentlemen, and
revealed to me his plans. knew the
contents of both the wills. During his last
illness he gave the true one into my care,
with instructions to conceal it six months
BY that time my nephew will be thought
of as poor man. said he. and the girl
who fools him with pretense of love will
show herself in true colors.' This letter.
Mr.. Rushford, will confirm my words !;
and if'' she added timidly, ''if l have
snned IN parting you from your love. oh,
pardon me! ! Perhaps she may yet be won,
now you are rich again. and IL but
obeyed the wishes of the dead"
And in so doing earned my lasting
gratitude" cried Robert, warmly. Flor
ence is not worth winning. can imagine
no more miserable life than that which
must fall to the lot of her husband. And
it is worth more than the fortune to know
that in you find true woman at last,
whose heart and mind do not belle her
face. but one is as lovely as the other"
He stopped short, for Wilde's hand was
upon his arm.
Read your letter first" said that gen.
tleman, coolly, land then we'll read the
will"
Robert obeyed him.
The letter confirms Marian's state
ment" said he, land contains the express
sion of wish. Do you know what that
wish is p' he asked her.
NO" she answered in surprise 81 do
not"
"But you would advise me to endeavor
| to comply with it of csurse-you who full
! filled his wishes so religiously? and this
wish is also my own. Yes, my most earn
est desire''
| Marian laughed sweetlv.
at should be easy to comfy with, ,then,'
she said.
1T will be to me. but it depends upon
another-upon you"
Upon mep"
"Yes, dearest Marian, upon you. Mr..
Wilde here is going to inform me, know
that this new will gives the fortune all to
me. can receive 1t only upon one codi-
| ton. Can you guess what it is ?''
Her eyes fell beneath his-the conscious
crimson dyed her soft fair cheeks.
Il will not guess" she said. You
shall tell me-"
He sought her little futtering hand and
raised it to his lips.
IF | take fortune from this precious
hand give me the hand as WELL" he said.
Darling Marian. love you, | have
loved You longer than I knew Be nv
sweet wife -
She shrank back, blushing. trembling.
Il am so DOOR"
No. no; rather-r,ch in goodness,
wisdom, beauty. love. and l adore you
Nav, YOU will consent-lt is my uncle s
wish. You must obey the wishes of the
dead. you know. Must she not Mr..
Wilde ?" he added. with a sudden recol-
lection-but that discreet gentleman had
stolen from the room.
II will obey the wishes of my own
heart, first" said Marian. "Dear Robert.
can il be that Won reallT love me p,