Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-12-05

aunt's communication. Suppose II were
true? Suppose her grandfather Clays
in some strange sudden remoIse, had
done this thing2
She remembered I last week OF his
life. He had been speechleSs nearly
all that week, and had taken little
notice of anything or anyone. 1t was
quite possible that he had turned about
and written the few words necessary TO
revoke all former wills and leave every
thing to Kitty Carmichael.
Yet why should he turn from one
Injustice to another? She asked her
self bitterly why he could not have
divided his fortune fairly, providing
for both granddaughters alike.
Edwlna was far from avaricious.
Had she been quite her own mistress
had there not been Aunt Josephine to
disapprove, as well as other compllca-
tlons-she would long since, OF her
own free will, have made over half her
Inheritance to her cousin. But now
to have everything swept awayI 1t was
| a crushing, humiliating prospect.
With Frederick Montgomery, her
affianced husband, it would probably
make no difference; but with his fam
| lily? Her aunt's suggestion was very
forcible, appallingI With all her faith
In her lover, Edwina had not lived
twenty years and over and escaped
knowledge that a mans family may
clutch and control him with ten times
| the ease with which they could control
daughter or sister.
| Edwina was streniously conscious
that her father would never have been
guilty of a runaway match, as had
been her Aunt Charlotte, the mother
OF Kitty. In all such love matters
women are infinitely stronger, tenderer.
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 as she
might, there seemed no relief, no solu-
tion-
She sat up at length, with her head
throbbing and her face on fire. The
| afternoon was slipping away. She
heard the clock strike five. She arose
and went out upon the piazza. Kitty
was reading in a hammock 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. No, don't, dear; really don't
feel warm. What book were you
reading?'
The most exciting affair I could
find, of course. Neddie. 1 wish you'd
begin 10 rush your wedding prepara-
tions little. l shall perish of dulness
here.'
Edwina moved unessily. Suppose
there should be no wedding because of
her altered fortunes?'
But Kitty ran on blithely enough:
You've notion to marry-it doesn' t
make very much difference whom, you
know. ! have begun to think l ought
to marry omebody-anybody that's
nice and good natured, and will take
me about the world. You'll be gone
in month or so, and l shall be left 10
Aunt Josephine's mercy Kitty made
little grimace; she was sitting on the
steps, while Edwina occupied a rustic
chair above. L don't see, she ended
up, how shall exist, Ned. when you
are married of.
Edwina answered with vague bitter
ness
Perhaps something will happen tC
alter things
Kitty puckered up her brows.
Alter things? I'd like to have a
hand 1T that. But there's no danger.
I've a precious mind to marry Phi
Fortescue. He's not as fine lover as
your Frederick, but"
Elwina could endure no more.
L think l will 60 in; it is time to
dress for dinner she said wearlly.
She did not go at once to her OWL
room. She passed her aunt's door and
went towards the chamber in which
her grandfather had died, and where
the clock stood in which the paper had
, been found that morning.
She wondered how her aunt had come
7 to enter that chamber. 1t was usually
= kept locked; and things remained as a
r her grandfather's death.
She turned the knob softly, impellet
e 10y uncanny fascination. The door wa:
I locked, as usual.
4 Edwina now retraced her steps an(
sought her own room, where she threw
: herself upon the bed and covered he
face.
Miss Josephine Clay and Miss Kit.
Carmichael dinei tete-a-tete that even
ing, and Edwina was absent. She wa
not well, was the word she sent down
l they might send her cup of tea
: please.
1t was a considerable battle that tn
girl was fighting out alone. Everything
D seemed against her. She plainly rea
L her aunt's wish that nothing be sal
I. until after her marriage.
, She admitted her aunt's apprehensio
Il as to Frederick Montgomery famil
e to be well grounded. She concede
that Kitty would be practically as wei
u off In receiving her great fortune
s month or two later as in receiving !
d now. But, on the other hand, trutt
e honorl Did not these demand th
n / ~ hot
hiding-place in the silent chambe
Il yonder? Did not right demand ths
y not an hour passed without Kitty Cal
Ie michael knowing her true position?
o Edwina was fighting out a bitte
battle. Thank Heaven. she had courag
It to look in the face of all possibilities
II deprivation, modification, even ii
5. breaking of OF the marriage.
5 The room was dark now; she ha
), not lighted the gas. The house W;
X still, save that Kitty was playing dant
" music IN the drawing-room, playir
re softly. not to disturb her cousin.
T Eiwina stood upon her feet ono
J. more. She opened the door and sta
le gered out into the hall. She knew thi
J. her aunt had come upstairs. She wei
X slowly towards the latter's room al
l raped sharply.
A. EQWlud 3 6uITduCc WAS uuSlc1uN
Il have come to speak TO you abo'
is that-that other will, she said at one
i IL have made up my mind that Xii
y. should know of 1t directly. There
In no reason for-for delay
as Miss Josephine replied with CO
80 dIsapprobation.
u Il think we found several Teaso
at when speaking of it this afternoon
There was moments silence E
et wilma could still hear Kitty playii
I. softly in the drawing-room belo,
at Then she spoke again, a little hoarsel
Ut However that may be, have q
y. cIded. / have taken time to consid
Is; well; have looked everything in I
a, face, and IL could not sleep to-nig
K, with this upon my mind. VIII y
1t. give me the key to grandfather's rool
ur that may go for the-paperf'
at The elder lady regarded her incred
is. lously.
q. =