The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-11-07
knowing," he said with little laugh, as he turned ii nwAr iv hse 6noMre

he turned it over in his fingers.
 "WhAt is it r asked Harold, and his keen eyes looked as if they would like to pierce the envelope and get at the secrets within.
 It is draft of the governors will" :" answered Bruce, as he replaced the docu. ment in his pocket, '" which he is sending to his lawyers, Symes & Symes, of Bed ford Row He was engaged all the morn. ing in drawing it up, and has asked me to post it for him in person."
 Do you mean to say that my uncle !" he always spoke of the baronet in that relation-"has not made his will before now?'
 (" It seems like it. although had no kno~ledge of the fact fancy he has some sort of superstitious prejudi C against making his will many people have but since that last attack suppose he has made up his mind to delay no longer"
 In little while Bruce spoke again. "I hope with all my heart that he has not forgotten either you or Elinor in it." he said earnestly; though do not think it at all likely that he would do so."
 This was a generous-hearted wish on the part of Bruce Wenioek, seeing ;ha; be was his fathers snly son, and that whatever was bequeath ed to others would be so much loss to himself.
 Dare threw quick glance at his com panion's face.
 b .lieve he really means what he says" he muttered to himself. He had vague feeling that were he in Bruce's place no such wish would emanate from him.
 Presently Bruce went indoors to write a note, after which the cousins were to walk down to the village together. Harold was not sorry to be left alone for little while.
 One rem ark of Bruce's had set him to thinkin had indeed driven his thoughts into quite a new channel. His cousin had said: If this could reveal its secrets, it might tell us something worth know ing" Harold could not get these words out of his mlnd. It would indeed be a secret worth knowing il he could by any means ascertain the baronet's intentions with regard to himself No one but him. self knew how near he was to the verge of ruin. Not much longer would MT Shadrach wait for his money unless he could prove to that astute individuals s satisfaction that a policy of delay would bring him in more substantial advantages Tn time to come. Sir George had m ade hi m an allowance of two hundred year ever since he had entered on his duties at the office of the Green Wand, so that he was scarcely likely to forget him in his will. But the question was as to the limit which the baronet in such a case would set to his generosity Would he think ts GOO too little to bequeath to the son ot hls cousn2 Would he think ( 10 900 too much or was it not just pos sIole that ST George might satisfy his conscience by bequeathing him a paltry legacy of ooo or ? 900 only3 What would he not give tor glimpse at the paper at that moment in Bruce Wenlocks pocket.
 Then again, as regarded Elinor Tren- ton, although she was only Sir Georges ward and no relation at all, he vas al- most sure to remember her in his will He had no daughter of his own and did not disguise his liking for Elinor What more natural than that he should put her name down for a legacy ot [5 900 or L6 900. If he, Harold, could on,y assure
 
 propose to her at once. He was in love with her as much as it was in his nature to be in love with any one, b It as he had told himself over and over again. he could not afford to marry penniless wife. II only some wizard would put that red sealed paper into his hands for three min utes wha. chapter of the future would be revealed to him Were there no pos sible means, fair or unfair-in such case it would be foolish to stick at tnfss-by which he could obtain sight at it2 No; none, none!
 He sighed, lit fresh cigar, and con- tinued his solitary pacing 10 and fro. A few minutes later he was )ineo by Cap tain Wenlock and Miss Trenton, and the three set of to walk to the village post office, three-quarters of mile away.
 Harold Dare might we'll be excused for falling in love with Elinor Trenton She was in truth girl that seemed to overflow with sunshine and happiness Melancholy, and she seemed as far as the poles asunder. And yet she was entirely dependent just now on the bounty of Sir George, and with no future worth speak ng of from worldly point of view. It was her nature to be happy. and to make those around her the same, as far as lay iu her power, and she never tried to be different.
 It was pleasant walking along the dry, hard, country roads that brigh, frosty afternoon. Dare, whc had usually an easy flow of conversation in whatever company he might happen to ind him. self was today more dlstrat and silent than usual. The same thought that had filled his mind on the terrace was still at work here, and would nat be put aside. Thus l, fell out that the captain and Miss Trenton had mos. of the conversation to themselves
 The Silwaser post-ofice was also draper's shop. As, however the captains letters were al,eady stamped, there was no occasion for him to go inside. He