The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-11-02


the clock strike five. She arose and went
out upon the piazza. Kitty was reading
in a hammock on the lawn. She de-
scended and came toward the house.
Have you been asleep, N-d'" she
asked. "Your face l. flushed. III run
and get you fan"
'No, said Edvina a little sharply then.
NO, don't, dear; / really don't feel warm
What book were you rcsding;"
1.-The most exciting affair 1 eould find,
OF course. Neddie, wish you'd begin 10
rush your wedding preparations little.
] shall perish Of dulneSs here"
Edwina moved uneasily. Suppose there
should be 10 wedding because of her NJ
tered fortunes
But Kitty ran on blithely enough: -
you've n notion 10 narry-it doesn't
make very much difference whom, You
know. Ihave begun 10 think ought to
marry somebody-anybody that's nice
and good -natured and will take me about
the world. You'll be gone in a month or
so, and shall be left TO Aunt Josephine's
mercy" Kitty made n little grimace;
she was sitting on the steps, while Ed
wilma occupied n rustic-chair above. II
don't see, ;" she ended up, chow I shall ex-
ist, Ned, when you are married OFF,
Edwina answered with vague bitter
ness:
Perhaps something viii happen to al
ter things"
Kitty puckered up her brows ~
ALTER things; I'd like to have hand
at that. But there's no danger. I've "A
precious mind to marry Phil Fortescue.
He's not as fine a lover as your Frederick,
but"
Edwina could endure no moro.
al think 1 will 90 in, it is time to dress
for dinner" she said wearily.
She did not 20 at once to her own room
She passed her aunt 5 door and went to-
wards the chamber in which her grand
father 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 grandfather's death.
She turned the knob softly, impelled by
uncanny fascination. The door was
locked, as usual.
Eawina now retraced her steps and
sought her own room, where she threw
her self upon the bed aud covered her face
Miss Josephine Clay and Miss Kitty
Carmichael dined tctc-G-tcic that evening,
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 "A considerable LaJtle that the
seemed against her. She plainly read
her aunt's wish that nothing be said uI-
til after her marriage.
She admitted her aunt's apprehension
rs 10 Frederick Montgomery family to
be well grounded. She conceded that
Kitty would be practically rs well of in
receiving her great fortune a month or
two later as in receiving it now Bat, on
the other hand, truth, honor' Did not
4. 4 h.;
paper from its hiding-place in the silent
chamber yonder, Did not right demand
that not an hour passed without Kitty
Carmichael knowing her true position!
Edwina was fighting out a bitter battle.
Thank Heaven, she had courage 10 look
in the face Of all pOssibilties-depriva
tion, modification, even the breaking of
OF the marriage
The room was dark now; she had not
lighted the gas. The house was still save
that Kitty was playing dance music in
the drawing ing-rocm-playing softly, not to
disturb her cousin
EdwinA stood upon her feet once more.
She opened the door and staggered out
into the hall. She knew that her aunt
had come upstairs She went slowly to-
wards the latter's room and raped
sharply.
Edwina's entrance was unsteady.
al have come TO speak to you about
that-that other will" ;" abe said at once
IL have made up my mind that Kitty
should know OF 10 directly. There is no
reason for-for delay"
Miss Josephine replied with cold disap-
probation:
II think We found several reasons when
speaking OF it this afternoon"
There was moments silence Eivina
could still hear Kitty playing softly in
the drawinS-room below. Then she spoke
again, a little hoarsely:
! However that may be, / have decided.
have taken time TO consider well; have
looked everything in the face, and II
could not sleep tonight with this upon
my mind. Will you give me the key TO
grandfather's room, that l may go for
| the-paper"
The elder lady regarded her incredu-
| lously.
"You can hardly be in earnest, Ed
winaf'
az am thoroughly in earnest" said Ed
wilma in n clearer voice. "Will you please
let me have the key"
Miss Josephine Clay had risen to her
feet; n certain wild look was on her face
look that only came there in extreme
anger-a look that at any time previous
would have caused her niece 20 tremble
But Edwina returned her gaze without
finching.
The elder lady's hand slipped slowly in
10 her pocket and slowly out again. One
slim arm reached out disdainfully. The
key dropped upon the carpet between the
two women. Edwina stopped and picked
it up.
THANK you" she said.
Miss Josephine answered with a coldness
more hitter than any threat:
''Go your own way. But by-and-by, ex-
pect no sympathy from me-"
Edwina flew from the room. 1t seemed
to her she must make haste, lest later she
should lose the strength now buOying her
up
door of that silent chamber. The light
from the hall made objects sufficiently
distinct.
A moment later her trembling fingers
had closed upon the paper. She closed
the clock, came out of the room, and re-
locking the door, came to the balusters-
kitty, Kittyl' she cried out desper-
ately, come up here-quickly."
There was strange ring in her voice
not excitement, but exultation. Victoryi
victory. The battle nearly ended!
Kitty cams rushing up the staircase
with amazed eyes.
..Come into aunt's room" said Edwina,
less steadily NO" thdt al "es o'eA' Pc
hSps would come reaction
kitty" said Edwina, 'aunt has found
this in the clock that grandfather left you
Y-ou are the one most interested-snd-l
congratulate your
Kitty received the docunen. calmly
Pull up, Ned, pull upi You are awfully
excited Ard then she read il aloud.
Great goodness she exclaimed, when
she began to comprehend You don't
suppose that is good for anything" She
had turned to Miss Josephine, but the lat
ter sat silent and impassivc-
YEA said Edwinn; 1T is certainly