The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-08-09

Hanks, have made q will, and tn,
scapegrace will find that no has wruns
the last cent he will ever wiring out O.
his poor old uncle. So why shouldn't
L die? Who wants mo to live ex
cept-"
He was about to say "Gracie," wher
he suddenly paused, adding in an al
tered tone:
"What do you know of this man, Ed
gar, the lawyer?"
He is a trustworthy gentleman, sir
and much respected in these parts" re.
piled Mrs. Hanks.
HE should be here by this time"
He has been waiting this hour, sir. ~
"Thcn send him in here"
While Mrs. Hanks hobbled away to
obey the command, the invalid fell back
"1',ouss iIip pfftows numbering.
Edgar must tell Oracle, and arrange
the whole thing"
During the interval that the lawyer
remained closeted with his wealthy
client, in the room adjoining the death
chamber the servants of the household
learned from Mrs. Hanks the alarming
condition of their master, and scarcely
had they gono their ways in awcd
silence when n wide easement window
that gave egrcss upon the moon-lit
lawn opened cautiously to admit a
young girl.
A petite slip of girl, attircd in n
dress of some simple brown stuff, with
crimson shawl wound about her head
and shoulders. Though but tho nc
knowledgcd daughter of Orrin Cliff
ford's man-servant, little Oracle Gar
land possessed that exqui1ite beauty to
be found only in tho poetic creations of
poets and painters.
To absolutely faultless features were
joined delicate complexion, great linn
pid eyes like stars, and a wealth of
bronze-brown hair that, when loos-
ened, enveloped her like shining
veil
AS beautiful in character as she was
in face, little Oracle Garland had won
her way 20 all hearts by her unaffected
modesty, her kindness of heart, and her
perfect sympathy with all who suf-
fered. Had she been less gentle less
n simple, trusting child, the affection
ate interest which she had aroused in
the widowed millionaire might have
occasioncd comment; M it was, every
body loved her, and to everybody she
was simply little Oracle Garland"
She nodded to the old nurse as she
entered and turned to close the case
ment, when it was rudely thrust open
by man, withered and bent in form,
with hard, forbidding face, and a
mass of shaggy grayish hair that hung
down in cltish locks to his beetling
brows that shaded his ferret-like eyes.
This intruder was Nicholas Gar.
land, the man-servant
"What are you doing here Mt this
time of night, Gucie?" he snapped,
glaring into the girls face.
"I came here to see how Mr.. Cliff
ford is," was the reply, in II voice That
trembletl with dread.
"Its high time you were in bed,
girl"
"Oh, father, cannot sleep to- night! J"
"Wcll, go to your room, anyhow; |;
you're in the way here"
II hoped that might sit up with my
dear protector and friend tonight,
faltered Oracle.
Nonsense! Clear of to bcdH
Oracle gldcd to the nurses side.
GLOW il he, Mrs. Hanks2" sho
asked, trcmulously.
Every bad. my dear; very bad, in
decd"
"Thcn shall rcmainT
"Did you hear me. Gracc?" he said,
sternly; ego to bed"
The girl bent a pair Of fearful eyes
upon tho old nurse, and Mrs. Hanks
was touched by this silent supplication.
Oracle pressed the old woman's hand
gratefully and hurric.lly left the apart
mrnt. Mrs. Hanks began to busy her
self with tea kettle upon the hob,
while Garland employed his time in
studying every object in the room, tho
nurse included. His attention, how
ever, seemed to be particularly rivcted
upon the door which led into the cham
Der of death.
"Do you watch tonight, Mother
Hanks?" he said abruptly.
The old woman nodded her head
| without II glance.
"Good!" said he to himself; though,
aloud he asked: "What have You got
thcrc?"
"Tca," was tho curt reply; "you don't
suppose body's to sit up all night
without cup of something to cheer
them, do you?"
"I'm sure l don't mean to prevent
you," grumblcd Garland; "you may
drink all the tea that ever came from
China for all care"
Dear knows, you're an ugly-spoker
man, Mr.. Garland. 1 don't see how
that sweet child can live with the likes
of you. Sometimes l doubt if she is
your child at all"
Nicholas Garland started, his sllnker
eyes flashed fire.
"What do YOU say'?" he snarled.
al say what many another has saiC
before me-" answered the undauntet
old woman.
"And what do you cursed English
gossips say about us ?'' he demanded.
That perhaps you kidnapped her ovel
in America"
"Perhaps j did; it's none of youl
business, anyhow"
Mrs. Hanks made no reply to this in
civility, but bent over the fire tc
brighten it. At the same moment Gar
land crept up to cupboard on the op
posite side of the room and stealthilN