Wichita eagle., 1889-02-02
philosophic smile on NV face.


| satisfaction-l took up second sheet OF
legal cap, and scrubbed thereupon, with
formal opening and close, that this same
Robert E. Cecil gave all his property to his
dearly daughter, Mabel Cecil. and
left the lady Of the vail where the law found
her.
"But such is the history of the world %
concluded, solemnly sever such, and
what a gulf, deep, impossible, between
what ought to be and what is! How |
should like to bridge it overr' And | but
toned UP nv coat, and walking to the win
dow, imagined could see through the dark
ness the coming of the carriage of Nine
Cecil
The time dragged slowly, very slowly,
and never felt more genuine relief than
in hearing heavy wheels grinding through
the mud and slush, and a knocking at the
door to notify me the carriage was ready.
Isprang into the carriage, and away we
dashed through such darkness that / could
not for the life of me discover to what por-
ton OF the town we were being driven. But
in very short time we came 10 a sudden
halt, and the carriage door opened The
coachman conducted me up the brown stone
steps, where the open door was already
awaiting me, and | stepped into the dimly
lighted hall
As did so lady, WI figure and man
ners told me she was Inc Cecil, glided
from side room, and with little plaintive
smile babe me follow at once. But in that
instant read her face and, perhaps, her
character. She might have been thirty
five, only she didn't look it, with those
brilliant black eyes, pearly teeth and ele-
CANT manners; but behind all these l read
ttn
may save a country, but given over to evil
would sacrifice every thing to success.
NoiSelessly she glided over the heavy
carpets, and as silently followed her She
passed into the hbrary-as ! instlnctively
felt-into the chamber of death; even ele-
CANT furniture and costly paintings and
embroidered coverlets are not to overawe
our destiny.
"Mr. Cecil, the lawyer has come" she
softly said, as she stopped over the ema-
ciated face of q silver-halred man
What? Who's" as he started from a
seeming stupor, and looked wonderingly at
me from his sunken eyes.
''He will read it TO you now, Mr.. Cecil"
adding in a low tone: He is sinking rap
idly; | fear you must hasten"
felt that l must. | seated myself at his
bedside, and as 1 did SO l saw his lips
tremble, and ! believed they were breath
ing name; imagined 1T was mabel
Our boldest moves are born upon the spur
of the moment.
MRS. Cecil, may trouble you for glass
of water?' 1 asked, and l took out the will
she had drawn.
"Quick, sirl quickp said /, as l noticed
his sunken eyes watching her fastening
footsteps. "Do you want your daughter to
have all your property, save what the law
gives your wife!'
He started back from me as if he could
not trust has own senses, or was doubling
whether to put confidence in me; but he
seemed to feel the necessity of doing so,
and suddenly the dull eyes frightened with
momentary CLEAN of relief and Joy as he
clearly answered
yes, yes! And God bless youl'
And L, too, was thanking Heaven for the
within that had led me to write two wills so
very like it strength and appearance, and it
was only the work of a moment to make the
change, and just IN time.
With Mrs Cecil came the housekeeper
and man servant, and in their presence
the dying man tremblingy signed his name
TO the second Will. and they witnessedit.
They had gone, ana l started to go, when
the old man pressed my hand, and j saw the
tears gathering in his eyes. As turned to
go l Invountarily felt that the black eyes of
Nine. Cecil had witnessed all and suspect
ed every thing.
81 should like to see that will" she said,
firmly, IN a low voice.
''Some other time. He's dying, Mrs
Cecil"
80 much the greater reason, siri Show
It to me-"
/ looked her one instant calmly and sug-
gestively In the face, and then started for
the door
"Stop'' she cried, and a tiny silver
mounted revolver CLEANED in her hand.
MY God Mrs. Cecil, you have killed
him He has died at your handsl" ! cried
as l heard a strange sound behind me. and
would have turned If all the pistols II the
universe had been pointed at me.
The old mans arms had been lifted as in
prayer, but now sank withered upon the
pillow. while his eyes stared at us in the
rigldIty OF death. He was dead.
Instlnctvely Nine. Cecil seemed to
thatit was all over, and, lowering
Jhe weapon. Kissed at me between her
pearly teeth:
"You have played me false-goi gol or 1
will shoot you!n
And | went, gladly enough, from the |
brown stone front, with its treachery, its |
wickedness and svarice, into the dark night I
and muddy streets. But l had carried out 1
me wishes Of the poor, dragooned husband, /
and Mabel received her own. AS soon after |
IS her share Of the estate could be obtained /
the wretched woman disappeared from the
ana it was understood had
sailed for Australia
Although young and almost briefess I
awyer, was appointed Mabers guardian,
md so faithfully fulfilled my trust that
after six years, when she was little more
han eighteen, she gave herself as well as
Ter estate into my keeping; and as | write
mis-, after my coy tea, and as Mabel leans
IN the back Of my chair watching the RAPID
strokes of my pen, she declares that did
lot praise myself at all in the grand act OF
Justice dId, and the courage l showed at
he revolver's mouth to sustain her rights.
Albany Evening Journal.
HOMElY PHILOSOPHY.
senecuons of Man who Knows All