The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1891-07-03

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 a
little cry of fright when strong arm
was passed around her slender waist
and q mustached mouth brushed her
cheek.
"Ernest!' she exclaimed, starting up.
eyes, dear, it is IT, said Ernest Low
ton, and he kissed away the tears. 81
met Lawyer Dunnet u 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
20 my wire. II rnar Will mad not 80
mysteriously disappeared ! should have
sailed tomorrow for South America"
"Qh, Ernest" she gasped. Glow
cxuess ma then nesting 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 q 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 Eve
months when her husband was stricken
with a low fever. Alice nursed him
faithfully, and their little hoard grew
smaller and smaller until only 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 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 hating sem
fences she made known the nature Of
her business.
81 never loan money except on good
said the rich man when she
and Alice, with a 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
bank bill in her trembling hand. II
stop here tonight and will call to see you
tomorrow"
Sobbing her thanks she passed out into
The night and fastened with feet steps
% the bedside of her husband. The doc
or was with him. and he whispered to
ler that the crisis had passed, and if
here was no relapse Ernest Lowton
would soon be WE'LL
In the morning, much to her surprise,
Alice received note in Lawyer Dun
let's handwriting bidding her hasten at
'nce to the old mansion. Ernest was
leeping quietly, and leaving him to the
ARE of neighbor she hurried on out to
'Qakdale." A eervant ushered her into
he library, where John Wilcox and
lawyer Dunnet received her The latter |
prang up as she entered and grasped
10Th her hands.
81 congratulate you, Mrs. Lowton,"
e said. "The missing will, which
1akes you your granduncle's sole heir
SIS, has been found, and Mr.. Wilcox will
1ake no contest"
"The will foundw echoed Alice.
eyes, and I'm left out in the cold!"
narled John Wilcox. "Allow me to
you," and he stalked an
rily from the room.
sits very strange story" began the
Iwyer when the door closed after the
ate man, and he drew his chair toward
le one on which Alice sat in stupefed
'onder, hardly believing her ears. "You
now that when l was here the night
fter the funeral of Mr.. Fields that the
ill, which makes you his sole heiress,
lysteriously disappeared. Last night
ept in the room that / occupied on that
Unfortunate occasion. When | awoke
lis morning the will was lying on the
Ible just where l left it six months ago.
looked like magic. and couldn't ex-
lain the matter until one of the serv-
nts said that he had seen me prowling
bout the garden fully dressed at 2
clock this morning. Then | remem-
cred that when was a boy used to
ak in my sleep. thought had OUT
rown the habit, but it is evident that
7hile in somnambulistic state | hid
le will, and under the same influence
ound it again. "-Philadelphia Times
A Rat Climbs . Wire.