Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1889-03-20

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.
sprang 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 to a sudden
halt, and the carr age 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, whose figure and man
ners told me she was Nine. Cecil glided
from a side room, and with a little plaintive
smile babe me follow at once But in that
instant l 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-
giant manners; but behind all these l read
the positive force that, turned to good,
may save country, but given over to evil
would sacrifice every thing 10 success.
Noseessly she glided over the heavy
carpets, and as silently followed her. She
passed into the llbrary-as l instlnctively
feit-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 silver-halr man.
"Whati Whoi" 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; :"
N "a ia Ciply
Ny; fear you must hasten
felt that must. l 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!' | asked, and took out the Will
she had drawn
"Qulck, sir qulck!' SAID |, as 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 his 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
a momentary CLEAN of relief and Joy as he
clearly answered.
Yes, yes And God bless youi'
And l, too, was thanking Heaven for the
whim that had led me TO write two wills so
very like III 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 hQusekeeper
and man servant, and in their presence
the dying man tremblngy signed his name
TO the second Will. and they Witnessed it.
They had gone, and started to go, when
the old man pressed my hand, and saw the
tears gathering in his eyes. AS turned to
go lnvountarily 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 low voice.
'Some other time. He's dying, Mrs
Cecil"
$50 much the greater reason, sirl Show
1t to me-"
looked her one instant calmly and sug.
gestively IN the face, and then started for
the door.
"Stopl" she crled and tiny silver
mounted revolver cleaned in her hand.
"My God Mrs. Cecil, you have killed
him He has died at your handsl" i cried
as heard a strange sound behind me, and
WOuiu nave JufnCu II all the pistols IN 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
rgldIty OF death. He was dead.
Insunctively Nine. Cecil seemed to
recognize thatIt was all over, and, lowering
the weapon, Kissed at me between her
pearly teeth:
"You have played me false-go gol or 1
will shoot your
And l went, gladly enough, from the
brSwn stone front, with its treachery, it's
wickedness and avarice, into the dark night
and muddy streets. But / had carried out
the wishes Of the poor, dragooned husband,
and Mabel received her own. As soon after
as her share of the estate could be obtained
tile wretched woman disappeared from the
neighborhood, and it was understood had
sailed for Australia.
Although young and almost briefess
| lawyer, was appointed Mabers guardian
and so faithfully fulfilled my trust that
after six years, when she was a little more
than eighteen, she gave herself as well as
her estate into my keeping; and as l write
this, after my cozy tea, and as Mabel leans
on the back Of my chair watching the rapid
strokes of my pen, she declares that die
| not praise myself at all in the grand act Of
justice did, and the courage l showed al
| the revolver's mouth to sustain her rights
Albany Evening Journal.