Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1890-07-31
course OF life in

ms poor old uncle. so why shouldAt
l die? Who wants me to live eXl
eept-"
He was about to say "Gracie," whep
he suddenly paused, adding in an all
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. !"
Then send him in here"
While Mrs. Hanks hobbled away to
obey the command, the invalid fell back
among his pillows muttering:
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 o
young girl.
A petite slip of a girl, attired in a
dress of some simple brown stuff, with
a crimson shawl wound about her head
and shoulders. Though but the ac-
knowledged daughter of Orrin Cliff
tord's man-servant, little Oracle Gar
land possessed that exquisite beauty to
be found only in the poetic creations OF
poets and painters.
To absolutely faultless features were
joined a delicate complexion, great linn
pid eyes like stars, and a wealth OF
bronze-brown hair that, when loos-
ened, developed her like q 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 he,
perfect sympathy with all who sui.
fered. Had she been less gentle, less
simple, trusting child, the affection.
ate interest which she had aroused in
the widowed millionaire might have
occasioned comment; as 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 a hard, forbidding face, and q
mass of shaggy grayish hair that hung
down in elfish locks to his beetling
brows that shaded his ferret-like ewes.
This intruder was Nicholas Gar
land, the man-seryant.
what are you doing here at this
time of night, Gracie?" he snapped,
glaring into the girls face.
Il came here to see how Mr.. Cliff.
ford is, was the reply, in voice that
trembled with dread.
TITS high time you were in bed,
girl"
ooh, father, 1 cannot sleep tonight !"
well, go to your room, anyhow;
you're in the way here"
II hoped that 1 might sit up with my
dear protector and friend tonight.
faltered Oracle.
Nonsense! Clear off to bed!"
Oracle glided to the nurses side.
"How is he, Mrs. Hanks?" she
asked, TREMENDOUSLY.
very bad, my dear; very bad, in
deed"
"Then shall remain"
"Did you hear me, Grace?" he said,
sternly; 'go to bed!'
The girl bent pair of fearful eyes
upon the old nurse, and Mrs. Hanks
was touched by this silent supplication.
Oracle pressed the old woman's hand
gratefully and hurriedly left the apart
ment. 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, the
nurse included. His attention, how
ever, seemed to be particularly riveted
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 glance.
"Good!" said he to himself; though
aloud he asked What have you got
there?"
"Tea," was the curt reply; "you don't
suppose body's to sit up all night
without cup of something to cheer
them, do your"
I'm sure / don't mean to prevent
you,' grumbled Garland; "you NAV
drink all the tea that ever came from
China for all care"
Dear knows, you're an ugly-spoken
man, Mr.. Garland. I 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 ~ he demanded.
THAT perhaps you kidnapped her owe,
IN America.
Perhaps I did; it's. none Of your
business, anyhow
Mrs. Hanks Ilade no reply to this in.
civility, but bent over the fire to
brighten it. At THE same moment Gar
land crept up to a cupboard on the OPP