The Iola register., 1885-12-11

anite possible that he had turned abou
and written the few words necessary Il
revoke all former wills and leave every
thing to Kitty Carmichael. Yet why
should he have turned from one injustict
to another? She asked herself bitterly
why he could not have divided his for
tune fairly, providing for both grand
daughters alike.
Edwina was far from avaricious. Had
she been quite her own mistress-had
there not been Amt Josephine to disap'
prove, as well as other complications
she would long since, Of her own free
| will, have made over half her inheri.
tance to her cousin. But now, to have
everything swept away! TWAS crush
ing. humiliating prospect. With Fred
erick Montgomery, her aflianced hus-
band, it would probably make no differ
ence; but with his family? Her aunt's
suggestion was forcible. appalling! With
all her faith in her lover, Edwina had
not lived twenty years and over and es-
capped knowledge that mans family
may clutch and control him with ten
times the ease with which they could
control daughter or sister. Edwina
was strongly conscious that her father
would never have been guilty of a rum
away match, as had been her Aunt
Charlotte. the mother of Kitty. In all
such love matters women are infinitely
stronger, tenGerer and more faithful
than are men, and Edwina, knowing
this, could not measure her lover by her
own heart.
Edwina lay there for an hour or more
Consider the matter rs she might. there
seemed no relief. no solution. She sat
up at length with her head throbbing
and her face on fire. The afternoon
was slipping away. Sine heard the clock
strike five. She arose and went out on
the piazza. Kitty was reading in = ham,
mock on the lawn. She descended and
came toward the house.
''Have you been asleep, Ned?" she
asked. "Your face is flushed. I'll run
and get you fam"
.'No," said Edwina, a little sharply;
then. mo, don't. dear: I really don't
feel warm. What book were you read
ing""
..The most exciting affair could find,
of course. Neddie. wish you'd begin
to rush your wedding preparations a
little. shall perish of dullness here
Edwina moved uneasily. Suppose
there should be no wedding because of
her altered fortunes?
But Kitty ran on blithcly enough:
1--we notion to marry-it doesn't
make very much difference whom, you
know. have begun to think ought to
marry somebody-anybody that's nice
and good-naturcd and will take ne
about the world. You'll be gone in a
month or SO, aEd will be left to Aunt
Josophinc's mercy" Kitty made a
little grimacc; she was sitting on the
steps. while E,iwina occupied a rustic
chair above. Il don't see," she ended
up, show 1 shall exist, Ned, when you
are married off,
Edwina answered with vague bitter
ness:
Perhaps something will happen to
alter things"
Kitty pucl.crcd up her brows.
''Alter things? I'd like to have .
hand at that. But there's no danger
I've precious mind to marry Phil.
Fortcsque. He's not as fine 3 lover as
your Frederick. but
Edwina could endure no more.
Il think will 90 in; it is time to
dress for dinner" she said wearily.
She did not go at once to her own
room. She passed her aunt's door and
went towards the chamber in which hcr
grandfather had died, and where the
clock stood in which the paper had been
found that morning. She wondered
how her aunt had come to enter that
chamber. 1t was usually kept locked;
all things remained as at her grand
fathers death. Sne turned the knob
softly, impelled by uncanny fascination.
The door was locked, rs usual.
Edwina now retraced her steps and
sought her own room, where she threw
herself upon the bed and covered her
face.
Miss Josephine Clay and Miss Kittie
Carmichael dined tete-a-tete that even
ing. and Edwina was absent. She was
not well was the word she sent down;
they might send her a cup of tea,
please.
1t was considerable battle that the
girl was fighting out alone. Everything
seemed against her. She plainly read
her aunt's wish that nothing be said un.
til after her marriage. She admitted hel
aunt's apprehension as to Frederick
Montgomery's family to be well
grounded She conceded that Kitty
would be practically as well off in re-
ceiving her great fortune a month OF
two later as in receiving it now. But
on the other hand, truth, honor! Die
not these demand the instant Wrestling
of that paper from its hiding place in
| the silent chamber yonder? Did moi
right demand that not an hour passed
without Kitty Carmichael knowing hel
true position?
Edwina was fighting out a battle
Thank heaven she had courage to looE
in the face of all possibilities, depriva.
ton. modification, even the breaking
off of the marriage. even wreck and
everlasting ruin.
The room was dark now, she had moi
lighted the gas. The house was still
save that Kitty was playing dance mu
sic in the drawing-room. playing softly,
not to disturb her cousin.
Edwina stood upon her feet once
more. She opened the door and stag
gered out into the hall. She knew thai
her aunt had come up stairs. She wenl
slowly toward the latter's room ant
raped sharply.
Edwina's entrance was unsteady.
Il have come to speak to you about
that-that other will, she said at once
IL have made up my mind thai
Kitty should know of it directly. There
is no reason for-for delay"
Miss Josephine replied with cold dis