The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-08-09
NEW SERIES.
UNION 6. Hs' 's00TIfV @AFoLINA, AUGUsT o 1882

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course OF life in New York and Paris.
And he would be my heir if died in
testate-but haze made tciUl
Hanks. have made will, and the
| scapegrace will find that he has wrunp
the last cent he will ever wiring out of
his poor old uncle. So why shouldn't
die? Who wants me to live ex.
| cept-"
He was about TO say "Gracie," when
ne suddenly paused, adding in an al
What do you know of this man. Ed
gar, the lawyer?"
He is 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. {"
Then send him in here"
While Mrs. Hanks hobbled away to
OBEY the command, the invalid fell back
"...vnS friD Pfiiows muJvernig
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 gone their ways in awed
silence when wide easement window
that gave egress upon the moon lit
lawn opened cautiously to admit a
young girl.
A petite slip Of girl, attired in
dress OF some simple brown stuff, with
crimson shawl wound about her head
and shoulders. Though but the nc
knowledged daughter of Orrin Cliff
ford's man-servant, little Oracle Gar
land possessed that exquisite beauty to
be found only in tho poetic creations of
poets and painters.
To absolutely faultless features were
joined delicate complexion, great linn
Pld eyes like stars, and 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 to 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
q simple, trusting child, the affection
ate interest which she had aroused in
the widowed millionaire might have
occasioned comment; IN 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, witliered and bent in form,
with hard, forbidding face, and a
mass OF shaggy grayish hair that hung
down in eltish locks to his beetling
brows that shaded his ferret-like eyes.
This intruder was Nicholas Gar
land, the man-servant.
time of nighs Oracle ?E he snapped,
glaring into the girls face.
II came here to see how Mr.. Cliff
ford is," was the reply, in voice that
trembled with dread.
"Its high time you were in bed,
girl"
"Oh, father, cannot sleep tonight" |"
"Well, go to yonr room. anyhow; /;
you're in the way here"
II hoped that might sit up with my
dear protector and friend tonight,
faltered Oracle.
"NOnsensel Clear off to bedl'
Oracle glided to the nurses side.
"How is he, Mrs. Hanks2" sho
asked, trcmulously.
very bad, my dear; very bad, in
deed"
"Then shall remain!'
"Did you hear me. Grace 2" he said,
sternly; ego to bedl"
The girl bent pair of fearful eyes
upon tho old nurse, and Mrs. Hanks
was touched by this silent supplicution.
~
gratefully and hurricdly left the apart
ncnt. Mrs. Hanks began to busy her
self with tea kettle upon the hob,
while Garland employed his time i'm
studying every object in tho room, tho
nurse included. His attention, how
ever, seemed to be particularly riveted
upon the door which led into tho cham
Der of death
"Do you watch tonight, Mother
Hanks?" he said abruptly.
The old woman nodded her head
without n glance.
"Good!" said he to himself; though
aloud he asked: "What have you got
there?"
"Tea," was the curt reply; you don't
suppose a body's to sit up all night
without cup of something to cheer
them, do you?"
"Pm sure / don't mean to prevent
you," grumbled Garland; "you may
drink all the tea that ever came from
China for all care"
| Dear knows, you're on ugly-spoken
man, Mr.. Garland. don't see how
that sweet child can live with the likes
of you. Sometimes doubt if she is
your child at ALL"
Nicholas Garland started, his sunken
eyes flashed fire.
"What do you say?" he ,snarled.
II say what many another has said
before me-" answered the undaunted
old woman.
"And what do you cursed English
gossips say about us 20 he demanded.
THAT perhaps you kidnapped her owe,
in America"
Perhaps ] did; it's none of your
i business, anyhow,