The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1891-07-10

turned inStlnctiNely 10 the table.
He started back with a gasp Of as
tonishment. The will was gone.
"Ha" he cried rubbing his eyes.
THAT'S slrange - Aud, without
stopping to dress, he examined The
fastening Of all the doors and WIN
dowS. They we're all secure, and,
although he searched The room
thoroughly, The missing will could
moi he found.
After breakfast the servants,
Mary Smith and The two COUSINS,
assembled III the library and the
lawyer took a position il, The cen
Ter Of the room.
"When | reached here last
night he began, with his eyes on
John WllcoX's face, II had the
last will and testament of my old
friend, Jabez Fields, in my posses
sion" and hen he told of its mys-
lerious disappearance. He kept
his eyes fixed on John WilcoX's
face, and the latter shifted uneas:
ly and changed color
"Do you mean 10 say that had
anything to do with lis di>ap-
pearance ~ lie blurted out al last.
81 accuse no oue,n answered the
lawyer quietly, and then he asked
for The will which had been found
among the dead II ans papers by
his grandnephew. When Wilcox
produced ii the lawyer adjusted
his spectacles. and with look of
commi>era:ion directed toward
Alice Fields SAID "Unfortunately ly
The two witnesses 10 the missing
will are dead, but | think we can
prove its existence and its con,
tents. If Miss Fields wishes"-
"No, no p protested Alice quick
~. Not for The world = and when
Lawyer Dunret began 10 read she
slipped quietly from the room.
There were tears in her eyes as she
groped her way from the 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 up with
little cry of fright when strong
arm was passed around her slender
waist and a musiached mouth
brushed her cheek.
Ernest !" she exclaimed, start.
ing up.
"Yes, dear, il is l." said Ernest
Lowtor, and he kissed away the
Tears. Il met Lawyer Dunnet a
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
10 be my wife. If that will had
not so mySteriou>ly disappeared |
should have sailed tomorrow for
South America"
''Oh, Ernest ~ she gasped. "How
cruel !" and then nesting close
beside him she forgot all about her
disappointment In the enjoyment
of a blissful and reciprocal love.
A few weeks thereafter they
were married, and for several
months lived very happily. In the
meantime, there being no opposi-
ton, The will which John Wilcox
had found was probateG, and he
took possession of the dead mans
estate. Having been a very care
less man so far as business was
concerned, Jabez Fields had left
his affairs in decidedly compli-
Gated state, and Lawyer Dunnet
was kept busy trying to evolve or.
der out OF chaos. Alice had been
a wife about five months when her
husband was stricken with a low
fever. Alice nursed him faithful
~, and their little hoard grew
smaller and smaller until only a
few. dollars remained. She had
no intercourse with her cousin
Ie The day of Jabez Fields lun-
but now when the life of him
m she loved was menaced she
eked up courage TO ask her
relative for a small loan. VIII
had taken up his residence at
old mansion, and there she
hd him busy IN consultation
Lawyer Dunnei. Timidly and
halling sentences she made
'wn the nature of her business.
never loan money, except on
good security" said the rich man
when she had finished, and Alice,
with a great pain at her heart and
tears in her eyes, staggered rather
than walked from Tie room. Law
yer Dunnei followed her into the |
hall and touched her arm.
accept this from me, madam"
he said in a low voice, and he plac
ed "a bank bill in her trembling
hand. 81 stop here tonight and
will call 10 see you tomorrow"
Sobbing her thanks she passed
out into the night and fastened
IL. aHl-a.4 H.