Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-11-10

but the old mans armchair sui $1,000 Dv
the window, and the chart hung on the
wall opposite.
Rilla did not feel afraid, but rather sor-
rowful.
..Poor grandpa! you intended to provide
for me. She said, and patted the chair.
Then she opened the window. and sat
down by it to keep her long vigil.
The hours passed, and for all her heart
ache she grew drowsy, and sleep was
stealing upon her, when soft stealtny
football echoed from the stairs. She was
sitting erect and wide awake in an instant.
She listened breathlessly. Yes. the steps
were coming up stairs. and along the hall.
She could hear the rustic of drapery, and
then the door swung open, and oraclng
herself, she looked to see who it was.
The sight was enough to try stouter
nerves than young girls. Rilla felt an
lev thrill rush over her, and she caught
hold of the chair-back for support, when
she saw the tall, sheeted form standing
motionless in the doorway. but she was al
bay and after the first few moments OF ter
ror she found her voice.
s'Who are YOU and what do you wantP''
Miss Justine had not provided for that
question, not crediting her cousin with
courage enough to ask it, but an answer
was not needed.
A great owl had taken up his abode in
the hall, and. disturbed by the unusual
sounds and the Pickering Of the candle
light. he gave one awful boot. and flap
ping his wings. swooped down over the
head of the ghost into the room.
1t was more than the waiting maid could
bear.
"Oh, Lord. Miss Rilla, what is it?' she
shrieked; and tearing her ghostly raiment
off. fed to the girl for protection.
1t was case OF run black devil, white
devil catch you" and after recovering
from her establishment, Rilla laughed
aloud.
Sarah, what does this mean?''
"Miss Justine made me do it. Don't
don't let the thing touch me. l didn't
want to do it.
But after knocking down the chart,
which fell with crash, and upsetting the
candle, the owl flew out of the window
and vanished.
Rilla soothed her terrified companion,
relit the candle, and then essayed to pick
up the broken chart, but the frame fell TO
pieces and out from the back of it rolled
a bundle of papers.
Meanwhile, all went merry as mar
riage bell at the party. Bessie left it to
Justine to make excuses for Rilla. and
that young lady did so with the best grace
in the world and then she danced and
fiirted as though she had not care on her
mind.
But timid Bessie suffered cruel ankle
ty, and she drew breath OF relief when
late in the evening Paul Daverant en-
tered the room.
He glanced slowly around, and shade
of disappointment crossed his handsome
face.
Where is Rilla. Miss SageP" he in
quired as soon as he reached Bessie.
That question loosened Bessie's tongue,
and she poured out the whole story to the
gentleman, who listened with quietness
the gathering fire in his eyes belied.
He glanced at his watch.
ut is time the joke ended. If you are
ready. we will 60 on together. If not"
"Oh, yes, l am glad to 90; call BERTHE,
and will speak to Miss Penrynn.
Justine smiled disagreeably, but think
ing that it would not do to 60 too far. she
made no objection to an early departure.
but gave her version of the little joke, and
all called Rilla silly child for taking any
one so literally.
The others listened in silence, and Bes-
sic clasped her hands and strained her
eyes through the gloom to catch the first
sight of the Grange, but there was keen
er pair of eyes watching, also, and the
horses had hardly been pulled up before
the gate, when Daverant dashed open the
carriage door and sprang out.
All his careless indifference. his languid
nonchalance, fell from him under the pres
sure of fear and anxiety.
He entered the empty, echoing house.
He mounted the stairs two at time, soft
ly yet clearly calling
"Rilla, Rilla!"
She met him at the doorway of her
grandfather's bedroom. flushed, but ra-
diant and unframed.
"Rilla, lover' he cried, and snatched
her to his breast with hurried, passionate
words of love.
sis it true? Do you really care for meP''
she said. in sort of glad wonder.
$50 well that if you had come to harm
this night my peace and joy would have
been forever destroyed" he said, bending
his lips to hers.
In her happiness she could afford to be
charitable, and she explained the presence
of the waiting maid with as little blame to
her cousin as possible. and then came a
brief account OF the fall of the chart. and
leadind him near the candle, she held a
folded paper out to him to examine.
"What is itp" he inquired, struck by
some subtle change in her.
"Grandpa's last will hidden in the back
of that frame. Oh, Paul, you loved me
without the money, but | am glad your
wife will not come to you penniess."
LET her come as she NAV. she will al
ways be my best beloved, my dearest" he
said. with tenderness. AFTER all. malice
can overreach ITSELF" he continued as tney
went down stairs hand in hand, the fright
ened maid closely following. IF your
cousin had left You in peace the will might
never have been found"
And so she thought, railing bitterly
against herself and all the world. when
made to comprehend what had occurred
As for Lawyer Sage. he rubbed his hands
and said -
81 knew he could not have DESTROYED
the will, and l always felt that the old
chart had something to do with it,"
Govt has various names, according to tbs