The Press., 1891-08-13

house and turned her steps toward the city, but she wiped them away and walked very fast. When she reached her humble home she could no longer keep them back, but threw herself upon the lounge sobbing bitterly. So violent was her grief that she did not hear the door open, but she started mp with little cry of fright when strong arm was passed around her slender waist and a mustached mouth brushed her cheek.
 "Ernest!" she exclaimed, starting up.
 "Yes, dear, it is l." said Ernest Low ton, and he kissed away the tears. "l met Lawyer Dunnet few moments ago and he told me the whole story, else would not have dared come. You are still my poor, hard worked little school teacher sweetheart, and want you to be my wife. If that will had not so mysteriously disappeared should have sailed tomorrow for South America"
 "Oh, Ernest!" she gasped. "How cruelr' and then nestling close beside him she forgot all about her disappoint- ment in the enjoyment of blissful and reciprocal love.
 A few weeks thereafter they were married, and for several months lived very happily. In the meantime, there being no opposition, the will which John Wilcox had found was probated, and he took possession of the dead mans estate. Having been very careless man so far as business was concerned, Jabez Fields had left his affairs in decidedly com plicated state, and Lawyer Dunnet was kept busy trying to evolve order out of chaos. Alice had been wife about five months when her husband was stricken with low fever. Alice nursed him faithfully, and their little hoard grew smaller and smaller until only a few dollars remained. She had had no in- tercourse with her cousin since the day of Jabez Fields funeral, but now when the life of him whom she loved was menaced she plucked up the courage to ask her rich relative for a small loan Wilcox had taken up his residence at the old mansion, and there she found him busy in consultation with Lawyer Dunnet. Timidly and in halting sen- tences she made known the nature of her business.
 II never loan money except on good security" said the rich man when she finished, and Alice, with great pain at her heart and tears in her eyes, staggered rather than walked from the room Lawyer Dunnet followed her into the hall and touched her arm.
 Accept this from me, madam" he said, in low voice, and he placed 8 bank bill in Ter trembling hand Il stop here tonight and will call to see you tomorrow"
 Sobbing her thanks she passed out into the night and hastened with fleet steps to the bedside of her husband. The doc tor was with him, and he whispered to her that the crisis had passed, and fl there was no relapse Ernest Lowton would soon be we'll.
 In the morning, much to her surprise. Alice received note in Lawyer Dun nets handwriting bidding her hasten al once to the old mansion. Ernest was sleeping quietly, and leaving him to the care of a neighbor she hurried on out to "Oakdale." A servant ushered her into the library, where John Wilcox and Lawyer Dunnet received her The latter sprang up as she entered and grasped both her hands.
 II congratulate you, Mrs. Lowton, he said. ''The missing will, which makes you your granduncle's sole heir ess, has been found, and MT. Wilcox will make no contest"
 "The will foundy echoed Alice "Yes, and I'm left out in the coldr snarled John Wilcox. "Allow me te congratulate you," and he stalked an grily from the rooln~
 'It's very strange story" began the lawyer when the door closed after the irate man, and he drew his chair toward | the one on which Alice sat in stupefed wonder, hardly believing her ears. "You | know that when was here the night after the funeral of MT. Fields that the 1 will, which makes you his sole heiress mysteriously disappeared. Last night slept in the room that occupied on that unfortunate occasion. When awoke this morning the will was lying on the table just where l left it six months ago It looked like magic, and couldn't ex plain the matter until one of the serv ants said that he had seen me prowlins about the garden fully dressed at o'clock this morning. Then 1 remem bered that when l was boy used tc walk in my sleep. 1 thought had out grown the habit, but it is evident that while in a somnambuistic state l hiG tue will, and under the same influence found it again. Philadelphia Times. l -