The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-05-20

I'D rstd. s<1 too that ~ W. non -
|indlHtr<ht y to the di6pclal q us wealth
20 shsa1s9ed % b. NJ anilgdn little
e,nlc.ily as hsreplisd
You VIII ind that I have not forgot.
ten the faithful service Of the last ten
years., nor the fact that you we're onco
my brothers wife. "
You are too good she murmured.
I. Half Of my fortune Il left 10 you.r
Half" echoed Mrs Prioio, various
emotions nlinglfng In her low excited
tone. Half his fortune would be no In
considerable sum, as she knew we'll: but
why should she not have all1
Half" went on Mr.. Bowyer, calmly,
twill belong to Elem
The housekeeper started to her feet,
her work falling to the ground.
Have you told her this n she inquir-
ed, laying her hand heavily on his arm.
Why do you ask r.
Tell me, /" she requested sharply.
II told her that she would have TWEEN
ty thousand pounds when she married."
he answered with an effort.
"And you said nothing about your
will to her 7" she asked.
Nothing, SO far as can remember"
Then don't tell her now, | beg and
implore you,n was the reply, In which
Intense relief and earnest entreaty were
excellently simulated.
Z am at loss to understand your
motive for speaking so,n, remarked Mr..
Bowyer, rather stiffly.
have no motive. We women have
very little judgment, and no logic; but
we have a weapon Of our own to defend
ourselves and-and those dear to us.
Instinct prompted me to say what did.
Even to myself 1t seems absurd and un-
called for. Butt with little catch In
her voice which might have made her
fortune had the stage been her profess
sion" don't disregard my warming"
MIR. Bowyer opened his mouth to speak,
but no words came. He was SO deeply
agitated that he could not even affect
composure any longer.
Forgive me-" she said impulsively.
II have frightened myself and needlessly,
am sure. Forget all have said, or
adisbelieve It."
1t Is nothing. often have these
attacks" he said family, trying to reas-
sure her. But without success.
You are looking better now. The
doctors here don't seem to understand
your case. Why not go to Australia ~
u wish to Heaven could y he cried,
too utterly broken down to preserve
his usual caution.
Why should you not2"
Because there Is such q thing as
honor, which gentlemen are bound to
consider; because promise must be kept
at all hazards, all risks; because have
made mistake and must abide by it,
" You know best, of course,n she
observed demurely. reseating herself.
" But remember there is duty one owes
TO ones self, as well as that claimed
BY Others"
/ Mr.. Bowyer did not reply. Looking
up furtively now and then, Mrs. Priolo
saw that he was In deep and anxious
thought. She would have given much to
discover what was passing through his
brain at that time, much to know how
far he would succumb to the fear that
evidently possessed him.
How changed he was! A year ago she
would never have dared to speak to him
SO, Tor fear OF bringing upon herself the
fate she was preparing for an other; but
now he was different man-so weak in
mind and body that he was at the mercy
Of those about him. One thing seemed
certain, that II she obtained her desire
she would not have long to wait for the
money she coveted SO strongly.
Ellen Warde's voice was heard outside.
and he shrunk back nervously.
You are not we'll enough to be
disturbed now. Shall tell Miss Warde
not to come in just yet asked the house
keeper, divining his thoughts.
He looked up with eager gratitude for
her help, and made gesture Of assent.
Yet, when she left the room to carry
out her suggestion, he felt ashamed and
regretful- he scarcely knewwhy. Ellen,s
voice had somehow reminded him of
Ellen's face-the sad gray eyes and
patient mouth which were so like those
Of the only woman he had ever loved and
whose lie he had spoiled by mean sus-
picions. Was 1t his nature to doubt, or
was it his unhappy fate to meet only
with those unworthy OF trust2
The problem was hard one-too hard
for him to solve m his present weak
excited state; and he relinquished the
effort with a sigh.
When Mrs. Priolo returned, she found
that, utterly exhausted by the mental
conflict through which she had caused
him to pass, he had fallen ina deep sleep