The morning call., 1894-08-12
CHAPTER ii.

Some three weeks after Miss Calista 8
adventurous ride with Prescott Jim, Dick
Crane and his sister were seated at break
fast in their stately HertfOrdshire home,
awaiting her arrival with mingled feeling
0 ( Impotence and disgust Dick, Shrewd
business man, anticipated trouble from
this provincial adventures. as he called
her. Miss Crane was simply bored, and
ready to be spiteful. She was handsome
girl, with cold, penetrating gray eyes
which had never sOftened beneath lovers
glance The room in which they sat was
like the country. Now that her father
was dead she was anxious to get away
from 1t. Her brother was equally anxious
that she should go. He preferred TO reign
alone, so did Miss Crane. Therefore they
had amcably agreed 70 go their diverse
ways after disposlng of this unknown
Canadian cousin.
II don't see why Cullen & ShaTd should
have written to her at ALL" said Miss
Crane 'As our family solicitors, it was
their duty to have consulted US first"
perhaps they didn't think we should
contest the will" said Dick. languidly,
from behind the Times. Twenty thou
sand pounds is big slice out of the estate,
Cecilia"
"Of course we can contest the will" said
Cecilia. You know papa was almost i'm
beetle when he died. He was always going
on about his cruelty to his brother, and
wanting to provide for girl he had never
seem"
Hardly sounds convincing" said Dick,
ness. Wish we were we'll out of il"
You should have thought of that be-
fore" SAID Cecilia. "She's sure to be
dreadful. The best thing will be to pay
her passage money back again. and give
her trihe to buy things. That kind of
person always wants to go to the Tower
and Nine. Tussaud's and Westminster
Abbey and CHIP away pieces and all that
sort of thing"
Dick stood Before the empty fireplace,
with his hands beneath his coat tails.
you'll be hard old woman some day,
Cecilia. Honestly. | don't think dad was
quite sane when he made that will. al
though it will be a difficult thing to prove
it,"
Cecilia grew angry. He was mad, and
| can prove H." she said. LET US get rid
of this adven turess and divide the money
between Us in accordance with the first
will. She will be here in ten minutes.
sent Perkins over with dog-cart to meet
her."
ooh. very WE'LL" said Dick. with shrug
of his handsome shoulders. II don't like
it, but l won't back out Of it, Wonder if
she has thick, boots and twang. Here
she comes"
IF she'd known anything about the con-
veDtionalties she wouldn't have come until
the afternoon" said Cecilia. We'd better
see her in here and get it over"
Dick again picked up the Times as Miss
Calista, with cheeks rosy from the jour.
ney. was ushered into the room. lie
bowed coldly to her and went on with his
paper
Miss Calista did not understand. She
turned TO Cecilia in mute bewilderme1t,
only 10 receive a slight. naughty bow,
which sent a shiver down her spine.
''How do you do. cousins" she said. 81
had looked for warmer welcome than
this"
TT is better that you should understand
us at once" said Cecilia, without asking
Miss Calista to be seated. "Our solicitors
have proved your identity, so there can be
no mistake about that, but we dispute
your claim entirely"
'Mistake?" echoed Miss Calista. slightly
bewildered. "Mistake" She drew her
self up with quiet dignity, folding her
light shawl around her stately shoulders
to journey all this way, and-and-" She
stopped for moment, her voice breaking
slightly. cousin, cousin!" She held
out her hands, pathetic droop at the
corners of her sweet lips. You are but
playing part TO try me? You. my own
flesh and blood! For years have waited
for message to come from you, nave sac
rificed my llfe's happiness. only to be met
witt cold words like this. ALI the way
over | said to myself, You are going
among friends who will be good to you
and welcome YOU.
Interesting. very" sneered Cecilia.
.sWe don't DO that sort Of thing in Eng
land"
Miss Calista looked at the cold. proud
I'll af hor ~ IN m
you," she said. 81 did not think that you
loved money better than Justice. Does
your brother agree with you?"
s'Yes," said Dick. You can hardly ex-
pect us to 90 into raptures over relative
we have never SEEM"
Miss Calista drew her shawl closely
about her. Don't. for your own sakes."