Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-12-18

NIiiilN wv vi SuJOIl0
when speaking of it this afternoon"
There was a moments silence. Ed
wilma could still hear Kitty playing softly
in the drawing-room below. Then she
spoke again, a little hoarsely:
However that may be, l have de-
cided. l have taken time to consider
well; have looked everything in the
face, and IL could not sleep tonight
with this upon my mind. Will you give
me the key to grandfather's room, that
l may 60 for the-paper?"
The elder lady regarded her incredu-
lousy.
s'You can hardly be in earnest, Ed
winaP"
81 am thoroughly in earnest" said
Edwina, in a clearer voice. s'Will you
please let me have the key?"
Miss Josephine Clay had risen to her
feet; a certain wild look was upon her
face-a look that only came there in ex-
IRENE anger-a look that at any time
previous would have. caused her niece to
tremble. But Edwina returned her gaze
without tlinching.
The elder lady's hand slipped slowly
into her pocket and slowly out again.
One slim arm reached out disdainfully.
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 = cold
ness more bitter than any threat
go your own way. But, by and by,
expect no sympathy from me!'
Edwina flew from the room. It
seemed to her she must make haste,
lest later she should lose the strength
nov buoying her up. With shaking
hands she unlocked the door of that ST.
lent chamber. The light from The hah
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, raj to the balusters.
kitty, Kittyr' she cried out, despe-
rately; 'come up here-quickly."
There was a strange ring in her voice
not excitement. but eNultatior. Vic
tory! victory! The battle nearly ended!
Kitty came rushing up the stair case
with amazed eyes.
Come into aunt's room,N 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-
e~stcd-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 goodness" she exclaimed,
when she began to comprehend. You
Ir,At >,> Jl,t =, ~~~l f@, ~
thing" She had turned to Miss Joseph
sive.
yes" said Edwina. ut is certainly
grandfather's latest will. You see the
date-and the witnesses. lit will
change everything: OF course you are
the heiress, Kitty; you have been kept
out of your rights too long. lit may
bc-oh, well; whatever happens will be
for the best, l trust"
''Bah!' said Kitty. s'And what do
you suppose the Montgomerys win
saw"
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 a sniff of con-
temptuous pleasure.
est down, Edwina,' said her cousin,
pushing her into q chair. She went
over to the mantel then, did Miss Car.
michael, and stood where the light from
an unglobed bracket made the writing
on the paper more legible. She spoke
again presently:
''There is Just one thing about it.
Grandfather-with due respect to his
memory--was altogether too cranky al
will making. You needn't frown al
me, Aunt Josephine. This has always
been my opinion. While everything
was Ned's l kept it to myself, but now
that everything is mine. | don't hesitate
to speak it out aloud. 1 say, he was
cranky. He might have divided things
like a sensible man. AS for this bit Of
writing, I'm too fond of Neddie to spoi
her affairs; so, here goes"
kitty" Edwina sprang to her fee
with a startled cry, for the girl hac
thrust the paper into the blaze of the
gas.
Miss Josephine sat as one stricken
dumb.
"Oh, Kittyn That was all her cous
in could say. The charred fragments
fell and were scattered over the mantel
and Miss Carmichael walked noncha
lently away from them.
what in the world would I do with
such responsibilities she inquired
sd want to divide with you. that!
about all"
Tears were flowing down Edwina':
= cheeks.
Kitty, she said, ''thc division will b.
made tomorrow. I ought to have done
so sooner; indeed | would, but for
she broke of; Kitty had glanced signifi
cantly at their aunt. She evidently un'
derstood.
Edwina kept her word and all wen.
well. The marriage was not interrupt
ed. Moreover, Kitty herself was short
ly after abetrothed to Phil Fortesque
who had always adored her.-LiNy Cu1
m. IN NeD York Mercuyy.
An Ingenious Machine.