The Iola register., 1885-12-11

The key dropped upon the carpet be-
tween the two women. Edwina stopped
and picked it up.
THANK you," she said.
Miss Josephine answered with Q cold
ness moro bitter than any threat:
Go your own way. But, by and by,
expect no sympathy from mel"
Edwina few from the room. Il
seemed to her she must make haste,
lest later she should lose the strength
now buoying her up. With shaking
hands she unlocked the door of that 81
lent chamber. The light from the hall
made objects sufficiently distinct. A
moment later her trembling fingers had
closed upon the paper. She closed the
lock, came out of the room. and, re-
locking the door, ran to the balusters.
kitty, Kitty!' she cried out, despe-
rately; ''come up here-quickly."
There was strange ring in her voice
not excitement, but cxultatiOn. Vic
tory! victory! The battle nearly ended!
Kitty came rushing up the stair case
with amazed eyes.
''Come into aunt's room," said Ed
wilma, less steadily. Now that all was
over, perhaps would come reaction.
Kitty" said Edwina, '.aunt has
found this in the clock that grandfather
left you. You are the one most inter-
ested-and-I congratulate you!''
Kitty received the document calmly.
'Pull up, Ned, pull up! You are aw-
fully excited" And then she read it
aloud.
"Gracious gocdncss!'' she exclaimed,
when she began to comprehend. "You
don't suppose that is good for any
thing" She had turned to Miss Joseph
inc, but the latter sat silent and impas-
sive.
"Yes." said Edwina. at is certainly
grandfather latest will. You see the
date and the witnesses. lit will
change everything; of course you are
the heiress. Kitty; you haye been kept
out of your rights too long. lit may
bc-oh, well; whatever happens will be
for the best, trust"
''Bah!' said Kitty. "And what do
you suppose the Montgomcrys will
say?"
Edwina drew a little sobbing breath
and made no answer.
But Miss Carmichael turned sharply
at another sound.
Miss Josephine Clay had stirred and
emitted something like q sniff of con-
temptuous pleasure.
'.Sit down. Edwina," said her cousin,
pushing her into chair. she went
over to the mantel then, did Miss Car
michael, and stood where the light from
an unglObcd bracket made the writing
on the paper more legible. She spoke
again presently:
There is just one thing about it.
Grandfathcr-with due respect to his
mcmory-was altogether too cranky at
will making. You needn't frown at
me, Aunt Josephine. This has always
been my opinion. While everything
was Ned's kept it to myself, but now
that everything is mine, l don't hesitate
to speak it ont aloud. say, he was
cranky. He might have divided things
like sensible man. As for this bit Of
writing, I'm too fond of Neddie to spoil
her affairs; so. here goes"
"Kitty:" Edwina sprang to her feet
with a startled cry, for the girl had
thrust the paper into the blaze OF the
gas.
Miss Josephine sat as one stricken
dumb.
''Ob. Kitty"' That was all her cous-
in could say. The charred fragments
fell and were scattered over the mantel,
and Miss Carmichael walked noncha-
lcntly away from them.
What in the world would do with
such responsibilities" she inquired.
I'D want to divide with you, that 8
about all."
Tears were flowing down Edvina's S
cheeks.
kitty, "she said. .'the division will be
made tomorrow. ought to have done
so sooner; indeed would, but for"
she broke of; Kitty had glanced signiii-
cantly at their aunt. She evidently un-
derstOod.
Edwina kept her word and all went
well. The marriage was not interrupt
cd. Moreover, Kitty herself was short
" after ibetrothcd to Phil Fortesque.
who had always adorcd her.-Lisiy Cur
ry, in Nsw York Mercury.