Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-08-30

fly drove up to the door and a gentle
man alighted, followed by a young
man in plain black clothes who carried
a MISUNDERSTANDING blue bag, Mrs
PrjOlO felt no doubt concerning who
they were and on what business they
had come.
They remained closeted with the z
valid for some time; then a servant
Wa5 summoned from downstairs to
aliiX her signature to d document that
she had no hesitation in pronouncing
TO be a will
The hOusekeeUer was in a state of
almost unbearabIe suspense. a bell
rang, and Jane ran up to answer it,
coming down presently with the start
ling intelligence that Mrs. Priolo and
Miss Warde were both requested to
Join the gentlemen in the sitting-rOom.
Mrs. Pri0lO went up at once. To her
surprise. the lawyer was waiting there
alone. He rose somewhat slowly as
she entered, not knowing quite to what
class she belonged; but, as the next
moment the door re0pened and Elaine
came in, he sprung forward with
alacrity, and offered her a chair.
She accepted it with one OF her
sweet tleeting smiles, aud looked up
QuestiOningly, as though to ask the
meaning of this summons.
The lawyer looked from one to the
other. trying to solve the problem of
the strange task with which he had
been intruSted. Since he had seen
Elaine it seemed harder than ever to
perform, and he glanced at her apollo
getically and hemmed and hawed re-
peatedly before he began.
1T is Mr.. Bowyer wish that 1
should inform you OFF something he
Under the Cloud. e.
has done this morning. You will, l
hope, do me the justice to remember
that [ am acting under Instructions
only under instructions"
'Whatever it may be, we shall not
blame yOu," Elaine assured him, in
her low, clear tones.
Mrs. Priolo looked at him with i'll
repreSSed eagerneSS, as though ready
to tear from his lips the news that he
had to tell. She might have reminded
any one of a vulture lowering over a
dying man, hardly waiting for the
breath to leave his body-so impatient
for it's CHASTITY meal.
The lawyer went on, nervously-
Il am not in any way responsible
for it, believe me. L may think that
my client is wrong, misguided, unjust
even; but | have no power to enforce
my opinion. Mr.. Bowyer is unwell,
his nerves seem utterly unstrung,
and
We understand all that" inter
posed the housekeeper, brusquely.
Then | will proceed at once to bust
ness. Mr. Bowyer made a will some
months ago, leaving half his fortune
to Mrs. Martha PriOlO, his SiSter-in-laW,
and half to Miss Ellen Warde-no
ryia tive, | believe, but adopted by him
about two years ago" PauSing a mo-
ment 70 see if his last statement was
correct, he continued, with a stiff pro-
feSSional gravity that he felt to be his
best refuge from the unpleaSanteSS of
the situatiop-"This morning he has
made a codicil to that will, rot reVok-
ing it, but making its administration
sabject to a certain provision so
strange, so UnaccOuntable, that | am
at a loss how best to put it into
words, though I must remind you
again that l am a mere machine in
the matter"
Had you not better tell us straight
out what it is?-then perhaps we can
enlighten you as to its meaning" sug-
gested Elaine; while Mrs. PriolO's
eyes were liked with wild intensity on
his face.
The money is forfeited by both,
and goes to different charities should
Mr.. Bowyer not die natural death.
1t is utterly absurd of coUrse-a
monomania, L should say; but you IN
derstand 1 am bound to repeat to you
the terms of the will, according to my
clients desire
Looking up with startled surprise
his gaze first encountered Mrs. PriolO
and so crest-fallen was her mien and
SO evil the expression of her face that
he felt this woman might be capable
Of yillainy.
Then his eyes rested on Ellen Warde.
She was very pale-paler than ner
wont, while her downcast eyes and
troubled trembling mouth spoke
plainly of the pain that she felt. All
his sympathy was reused on her be
half.
Il am very much grieyed to be the
bearer of such a message. No one
could imagine for a moment that any
dispersion was cast on YOU" he pro
tested earnestly, but shrunk back ap-
palled as, with a stifed cry, she rose
and passed HIM to leave the room.
Your imagination is not q very
vivid on. l am afraid" said Mrs.
Priolo.
Quick enough to discover that his
impression of her was not a favorable
one. and bitterly disappointed that all
her scheming should so far have come
to nau@ht, she determined at least to
vent her malice; and. as the lawyer
stared at her in amazement, she
added, viciousiy-
You are not aware that Mr.. Bow
yer's life was attempted only a fort
night ago; and even if you did know,
it would probably be difficult to per
suade you that the young lady who
has lust left the room could have any
thing to do with it,
eft iS bIp-imnOSSihIpI' he