The morning call., 1894-08-12

she said, gently, do anything you Will
one day be sorry for"
you threaten us" flashed Cecilia.
NO." said Miss Calista, I'm too hurt
to threaten you. l looked to receive q
friendly welcome at your hands. That
was ALL"
"Of course, you are aware" said Cecilia.
that we intend to dispute the will on the
ground that my father was not in his right
mind at the time he executed it,"
mo, l didn't know it," said Miss Calista.
gently. "Don's trouble to do that. You
need OF contest the will shall never
claim anything. All i ask is enough to
take me back to Canada. If it had not
been for promise to my dead father L
would never have come here. Now that
have kept my word to him the matter is
ended"
Dick heaved sigh of relief. She was
sensible and would not give trouble. No
one knew better than himself that he was
behaving like an unScrupulous cad and
villain 10 this beautiful-eyed woman as
she made her appeal to his better nature in
soft. sweet. meodious tones. the like of
which he had never heard before. Still. 1t
was too late now. He had embarked on
this fraud and must ontnue it to the end.
You are prepared to sign formal renun-
citation of all claims?" he asked. letting
fall the Times and moving Suggestively
toward an open writing-de
Yes" said Miss Calista. 81 will not
take money from those who begrudge it TO
me- Keepit. | have wasted fifteen years
of my life waiting for ii, and now it is use
less to me-"
She waited with quiet dignity while Dick
drew uD formal remuneration of her
claim. He despised himself for doing it,
but Cecilia's cold. calculating eye was
fixed upon him. and he dare not hesitate.
When it was written he pushed the pen
toward Miss Calista and motioned her to
sign it.
Miss Calista moved slowly toward the
wrting-Iable and took the paper in her
hand. II do this of my own free will, I"
she said. and signed in beautifully neat
Old-fashoned writing her name to the
statement which Dick had drawn Up. at
is better I should not see the solicitors
again." she said. They have con-
sciences"
How dare you ?" fumed Cecilia. "You
know very we'll you are doing this of your
own free will.'
NO" said Miss Calista, 81 am not.
cousin. Only. in the land l come from |
have been taught that there is something
better than money. l would not misjudge
you. but your tace is cold. your manner
stern. You are heaping up tribulation For
future days. Sorrow will come to you for
what you are now doing. Good-by."
"W-won't you ride back 10 the station ?"
asked Dick.
No." said Miss Calista. "You have
treated me as if | were a wicked woman.
There can be no friendship between US. |
will return TO my own country, TO those
who will not misjudge me. Ii this money
makes you happy you are welcome TO it,"
She bowed again and walked out, leaving
her cousins looking at the paper on the
table.
Cecilia moved toward it as if to take the
paper in her hand. Suddenly she stopped.
1T will be better for you to have charge
of this, Dick" she said, triumphantly.
1.-THE woman's fool"
Dick strobe toward tae table, halted
moment irresolutely, took the paper in his
hands, passlonately tore it TO shreds, and
threw the pieces to his sisters feet.
What do you mean. Dick?" she cried
furiously. "Are you mad?
"Mad!" SAID Dick. with short laugh.
PERHAPS l am. Cecilia, that woman's face
would haunt me on my deathbed if | were
to connive al this swindle. | know Pm
weak-mnded BLACKBOARD, but Pm not
blackguard enough to rob her. She shall
have the money whether she wants it or,
not. Don't you see she's a saint, an angel?
We're not fit TO touch her hand. Even
she couldn't stand us, and don't wonder
at it,"
lie tuIueu Ud1k 10 Tue HTeplaCe, Tain0r
amazed at himself. Cecilia swept out of
the room without degning to answer him.
left alone Dick stood looking toward
Miss Callsta's chair. Presently he walked
slowly up to it with the same intense
glance. II wonder what came over me-"
he said. II never did thing like this
BEFORE"
Miss Calsta moved steadily on the
station, brushing the dew from the elastic
turf with her light feet. Every now and
then she caught her breath with a kind of
sob. Poor Hiram" she said. Poor Hi
ram"
All the way back to town she sat with
tear-dimmed eyes, listening to the refrain
of the wheels Poor HiramI Poor Hi
ram! How can l break it TO him ?"