Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-05-17
At WAR WITH HERSELF.
The Story Of WOman's AtOnement,
by Charlotte N. Braeme.
CHAPTER xLI-Continued.

around her. On every side were
spread out costly dresses and shining
Jewels. Leonie held in her hand u
superb necklace OF diamonds. She did
not look up when Ethel entered the
room.
81 know it is you, Ethel, by your foot
step. was just going to send for you
70 ask your advice"
Leonie was so deeply engrossed by
her Jewels that Ethel did not respond.
She waited until her companions at
tention was directed elsewhere.
II am quite undecided as to what or
naments | shall wear tonight" said
Leonie. 81 am going to q concert.
People have always so much time to
study one anothors dresses at a con-
cert. Mine is the palest, prettiest pink.
What will go best with 1t, Ethel dia-
monds or pearls! pearls have u chaste
appearance, but diamonds are most
brilliant. | want to look we'll tonight. ="
Still Miss Dacre made no answer, and
Leonie, looking up to discover the rea-
son of her friends silence, was struck
by the grave, serious expression OF her
face.
look graver than Judge"
q want to speak to you, Leonie. Put
those diamonds away for Il few min
utes, and come here.
Aeonie laid the necklace down, and
as she did 50 Ethel Dacrc reflected that
il did not belong to her, and she felt
something like sorrow for the girl who
would have to part with SO much that
she loved,
Leonie laid down the necklace and
moved to Ethel's side; she placed one
white ann caressingly round the girls
neck, and said
"Do not keep me long, darling; L
must at end to my dress"
But there came no smile to Ethel's
face, or cheerful word to her lips.
1t was a pretty picture the magnif-
cent room, with its warmth of color,
and the two girls in graceful attitudes
Ethel seated on crimson Longing
chair, her fair, eloquent face 50 grave
and anxious; Leonie kneeling at her
feet her golden hair and white dress
seeming to draw all the sunshine to
Themselves.
"Leonie, asked Ethel Dacre, gravely,
shave YOU ever heard anything of u
will by which the late Lord Charnleigh
left everything he had in the world to
Captain FlemyngY"
For a moment it seemed to Leonie
that some cold hand had clutched her
heart and stopped its beating; a red
mist foated before her eyes, sound as
OF rushing wind filled her ears, her
face grew doathly white.
"A will" she repeated, in low, hoarse
tones. mo what makes you ask me
that"
A sudden deadly fear came over her
-- an awful dread. Had the will she
believed so securely hidden come TO
light? Had any one discovered it?
The things she had loved so dearly
seem to be already slipping from her
grasp. Vanity, pride, love of power
all awoke with renewed vigor in her
soul--she would not give up without
struggle
@What makes you ask me that?" she
repeated in voice so full of fear that
Miss Dacre was surprised at it,
Because | have every reason to be-
Eieve that such will exists, or has ex-
listed.
at is not true, cried Leonie-"it is
false, You know -every one knows
there was no such will; every search
was made, every precaution taken,
Why do you talk so, Ethel? Who has
said ANYTHING of the kind?"
zone dead has spoken, Leonie? 1t is
a voice from Uric Charn!eigh's grave
that tells of will.
The white face grew even more
ghastly; for one moment it seemed to
Leonie Rayner that life itself was
leaving her.
Il have found this" continued Ethel,
"it was hidden in the picture of Paul's
mother Read it, Leonie,"
The young girl held out her hand for
the paper. She tried to read it, but
she tried in vain the letters appeared
Xix a red mist before her eyes.
AZ cansot sec to read it, Ethel,
And Miss Dacre, taking the paper
from the trembling hands, read the
solemn words. AS she read, Leonie
Crouched lower and lower, until she
hay at last with her face hidden on the
iioopS
"The question is, said Ethel, in her
clear, low voice, was that will ever
made, or Lord Charnleigh die be-
fore carrying out his intention?"
Faint hope crept back to the weak
heart After all, then no one knew
that she had found the will; her secret
was safe still; that letter could not
Oblige her to give up the inheritance
If the will was made, continued
Miss Dacre, where is it?"
1T was never made" said Leonie
Rayner--a faint color crept back to
her face, her lips lost their rigidness-
1T was never made, Ethel, and you
have frightened me for nothing"
Frightened you;" said Miss Dacre.
"Yes-frightened me. You made me
think that l should have to give up
Grown Leighton.
Ethel Dacre had drawn back from
her, grave wonder in her eyes, faint
flush in her face.
Made you think So Leonie! Do you
not think s. still?"
Certainly not; that letter is not q
Wilt is not binding"
"Not binding!" repeated Miss Dacre
Leonie, you are surely dreaming
do not know what you say. Please an
swer me one question: to whom did old
Lord Charnleigh intend to leave his
estates to Paul Flemyng or to your"
"That is not worth discussing. / am
entitled to them by law, and no one
can take them from me.
Ethel Dacre drew herself up to her
full height; she looked on the kneeling