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

inc SSntiuueub Cbile0 tOSettS WOuiu oo
block of ice.
As she approached hellawyer, Gar
land, pretending to leavetby the case
ment, slipped behind so9e draperies,
thus effectuaHy concealindhimself from
view.
"You sent for .:o, Mr. Edgar?" the
woman asked.
"Yes, Miss Dred. since you arc in
to return to my house, felt it best to
his will, which, duly signed and sealed
corner of the second drawer of his
bureau"
ais bencath Mr.. Cliffords pillow"
Garland -y6d d % warn BSyden
Like ly NIX he stole to the easement,
and let himself out unseen and unheard.
Simultaneously the door upon the pass
ago opened to admit little Oracle, while
of both>this exit and entrance tho pair
before the fire were unconscious. At
sight of them Oracle paused irresolute
upon the threshold.
"I tell you whore to find the will,
Miss Dred." continued the lawyer, "in
order that you may be able to place
your hands upon it I'M case of an.
emergency"
Exactly y-md it will not be touched
until-aftcr death occurs"
The lawyer turned to the fire to con-
coal his genuine emotions Mt thought of
his clients demise, and in the pause
that ensued Oracle struggled in vain to
repress a sob. At the sound Hannah
Dred turned -:..ha a start.
"What are you doing there, girl?"
she demanded, arrogantly; "wero you
eavesdroppingP"
Poor Oracle recoiled as if smitten by
a stinging blow.
"I!-eavesdroppingi" she faltered.
II see you understand what said,"
was the cutting rejoinder.
The righteous pride of queen shot
into the girls beautiful eyes.
mo, Miss Dred," she answered, II
was not eavesdropping."
"Then why are you here at this hour
of the nightP"
Il came in the hope that might be
of service to Mr.. Clifford"
"Not tonight; lean answer for that"
and the woman spread out her claw
like hands before the genial blaze of
the fire.
Oracle glanced pleadingly at the
lawyer, and was surprised to notice that
he made q mysterious sign to her. Full
of wonder she approached him; Mr..
Edgar also advanced few steps, and
when near enough he breathed in her
ear:
"Be on hand when all have retiled."
-.s,f fsnfaar' nar1 y, X. 49, --,-
"For what purposeP"
"To go to Mr.. Clifford; he wishes to
see You"
With ever increasing wonder, Oracle
looked inquirngly into the lawyers
face.
"Silence," he breathed, placing his
finger upon his lips; "you must do as L
tell you. You cannot guess, and am
not at liberty to tell you, how i'm
portant this last interview may prove
to you. Do not fail to be on the spot
when you are summoned. Go now;
Miss Dred is watching us"
At this juncture the nurse returned.
"I have been all over the house and
/ can't find drop high or low!" Then,
at sight of Oracle, she altered her tune.
Dear me, child, whatever have you
done with the bottleP"
"What bottle, Mrs. Hanks?" asked
the nstonished girl.
"Why, the bottle of opium, to be
sure"
II, Mrs. Hanks?"
"Yes, you! yon cleared up tho cup
board this afternoon"
Hannah Drcd was regarding Oracle
with eyes alight with malicious curl
osity.
II set the cupboard to rights" Oracle
said, "but removed none of the bottles {"
"Are you Stre, my dear?" urged
Mrs. Hanks.
"Quite sure, indeed, am certain"
"The best of us are liable to make q
mistake sometimes" put in Miss Dred,
frigidly.
IL have made no mistake, Miss Dred," "
was the firm reply.
"You seem strangely confident of
| sneer.
Oracle made no reply; she went to
the cupboard and busted herself with
searching the various shelves and their
contents.
Lawyer Edgar was the first to break
the silence.
II have couple of letters to write
for Mr.. Clifford, he said, (which will
detain me at the house for an hour
longer; if you do not find the opium
before leave, let me know, and 1 vii
drive into Torquay for n fresh supply.
And, turning to Oracle, he added in NJ
undertone, "You will not forget what
told you?"
The glance he received was sufficient
When he had disappeared with the
housekeeper, and the silence of the
tomb had settled upon the chamber, 1
full sense of their loneliness seemed to
settle upon the two watchers. Mrs
Hanks busted herself with pouring on
q cup of steaming tea, while Gracie'
eyes seemed to be drawn with an ire
sistible fascination toward the door, be
yond which her best friend on earth la.
between life and death.
Comfort with her father the poo
child had never known.
The hours spent in Mr.. Cliflord'