Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-11-18
CHAPTER v

CHAPTER V.
told my story to the doctor who had been
so kind TO me. He sympathized with me IN
my great trouble, and did his best to cheer
me.
at is verv sad, he said. "The poor Squire
had evidently something to say TO you. II he
could have spoken, the world would probably
have been very different TO you"
AS it was, standing by the Squire's death
bed, knew that henceforward | should be
nameless, penniless, friendlessthat the roof
which had hitherto sheltered me would no
longer do so. should lose, besides, the few
advantages I had before. But the greatest,
keenest grief Of all was that, even If had
mother living, should never know 1t.
Fora little while had faint hope that the
Squire might have reached Hcronsdale and
seen the lawyer, and that some part OF my story
might be known to him; but / found that he
had not The accident took place as be was
on his way thither So ended all my joyful an
ticpations.
Before the funeral went TO take last look
at the Squire As | gazed at him, laying so
calm and still, with smile on his face, the
question came into my mind. What had ne
seen--M llicent as he knew her In life, fair and
visions that had passed before him.
Because his roof had sheltered me, because
had been fed and clothed at his expense, be-
cause he was the only one who had seemed to
care for me-above all, because be was the one
in whose heart my story had been shrined-I
stopped and kissed the face of the dead man.
1t seemed to me that as did so q smile stole
over 1t.
When Mr.. Graham came, told him all that
had passed between the Squire and myself He
seemed very puzzled.
II can throw no light upon the mystery"
he said; "but promise you one thing Gracia.
All the Squirrels papers must pass through my
hands, and, II i see anything that concerns
you, will tell you Of it."
! thanked him, but felt that il was slight
consolation. 1t did not seem very probable
that there would be much concerning me In the
dead mans papers.
The Squire was buried In the old family
vault In the churchyard, where the Dacres for
many generations had slept. After the funeral
there was great commotion In the house when
IL was discovered that there WAS no will IL
seemed incredible, for both housekeepcr and
butler declared that they had signed one as
witnesses They were Intercepted separately
and together; but their testimony was always
the same. The Squire had told Gracia to send
them to the library, where he awaited them.
He had laid before them aclosely written sheet
of parchment, telling them IL was his will, and
asked them to witness his signature The
Squire signed first and then they wrote their
names. They did not see what he done with
the parchment They had been too much as
tonished to notice anything
The library was searched, the squirrels escri
toire, every probable and improbable place, but
without result ! told Mr.. Graham that / had
seen the Squire tie up packet of letters, In
Guiding that which he had written himself. A
more vigorous search was made, but the little
parcel could not be found In the waste pa
per basket however there were several letters
all torn into the mnutest shreds. Some, Mr..
Graham said, were in the Squire's hand writ
ing 3and, strange TO say, We discovered frag-
mesks of n sheet of parchment
here can be but one solution to this nys-
tery,' said the lawyer to the Vicar and the
other gentlemen who had assisted him In the
search. 1.-The Squire evidently made his will
and wrote some letters, then destroyed both 7"
Mr. Graham remained some days at the
manor-house He seemed TO like talking to
to him. One day cmboldened by his kindness
asked him what would become Of all the
Squirrels property and money.
.sThey will 20 10 his next Of KIM be re.
piled.
II thought he was alone In the worldp
said, In some surprise.
"1he relatives that are LEFT are distant
enough Lady Caryl Is his second cousin, and
Sir Adrian Is her SON."
s'sir Adrian Caryli" 1 said 20 myself. To
me the sound of the name was inexpressibly
sweet
'sir Adrian IL q very fortunate young man."
continued the lawyer. He Is already very
rich But II seems pity that the name should
change. 1t has always beeu Dacre Of Heron's
Nest; now II will be Caryl"
"wi they live herel'' ! asked, In bewtlder-
ment "wili they come TO Herop's Nestp
81 should think So Heron's Nest and all
that IL contains belong now to Sir Adrian
Caryl."
'Ts he marriedr inquired besitatingly.
"No, he is not married." replied Mr.. Ora
ham; ''but have heard that be Is much at
tached 10 beautiful young helrcss, Lady An
mabel Leith should strongly advise you 10
stay here untii the Caryls come"
= "wn everything belonging 10 the squIr
really 20 TO himr' asked ''iiow strange ..
seemsir
Everything replied the lawyer II do not
think, he added ndsingly, "thst the poo
squire's wealth could have gone 20 q bett
man. Adrian Caryl Is very ciev.. too and 10
nv opinion yin be a famous msr one OF the
days. Lady Caryl Is quite wrapped up in hip.
In these degenerate times q son 10 be prou'.
of is somewhat rare