Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-09-18

was moody and miserable-a cheerless
companion to the man to whom l now
chung as for support and strength.
Somehow, Eustace Grant seemed to be
the only creature to whom could turn
in my trouble for sympathy and aid.
He was very good to me in those days.
He was more than a friend, more than
a brother. But, in spite Of the COM
passion which I knew he felt for me,
no word which encouraged the faintest
hope passed his lips. Sympathy Is
precious, but l wanted hope.
The days went by until I guessed
that Viola's departure must be near at
hand. I grew nervous and sleepless.
Wild thoughts of flying back to France
and seeing her once more shot through
me. To see her, touch even her hand
once more, before learned the fatal
secret which I had by now brought my
self to believe would part us forever.
"When does she sail?" l asked Grant
abruptly one night.
1.-THE day after tomorrow"
From where?"
From Havre."
In forty-eight hours she would be
gone. In forty-eight hours I should
know why she had left me.
"Eustace," I said, "before I learn
what there is to learn there Is some
thing should like to do. Viola is my
wife. Whether she has acted rightly
or wrongly, I shall soon know; but ]
must make provision for her future"
EYES," said Grant. THAT you should
most certainly do"
Come with me to my solicitors to-
morrow. I will give him instructions"
Grant nodded; so I wrote at once and
made the appointment.
resolved to do all 1 had purposed
doing before Viola left. By this act I
could at least show her that, whatever
the pending revelation might be, l
loved and trusted her. l told Grant
of my intentions and wondered that he
expressed so little surprise at what,
under the circumstances, might be well
called generous, If not Quixotic.
ut will be just and fair" he said
quietly. "Do it, as you suggest, at
once"
The next afternoon found us at my
solicitors. The large tin box, labeled
Julian Lorraine, ESQ.," was pulled
down, busted and opened. The notes
which, two years ago, had been taken
respecting the settlement were looked
up and produced. 1t was arranged that
Grant should be one trustee, and my
solicitor, in whom I put great faith,
the other. All was to be done with as
little delay as possible. l smiled sad
ly, perhaps bitterly, as I thought it
was to be done for the sake of one who
was eager to put thousands of miles
between us.
I was looking through some papers,
among which found one endorsed,
Copy of Julian Loraine's will" l
drew it out, opened it, and held it to-
ward Grant. "See," I said, there is
my title to all possess. What a diff
ference those few lines made to me at
the time! Now, little good, after all,
they have done me-"
Shortest will I ever read. Mr..
Grant" said the solicitor. "If every
one made so simple will as that law
yers would starve."
Grant. without much show of inter-
est. took the paper in his hand and
ran his eyes over 1t. Suddenly he
stopped short and stared at 1t like one
who sees a ghost. Never before had l
seen a mans face and bearing SO
changed in single second. was pos
itively frightened.
what is the matter?" I cried.
He turned to the solicitor. Twill
you leave us alone for one minute!'
he said; "only one minute?"
The solicitor looked surprised at the
brusque request, but, nevertheless,
courteously vacated the office.
Grant seized my arm with grip OF
iron.
what does 1t mean-this?" he asked
In q voice full Of wild excitement. AS
he spoke he laid his forefinger on the
words adopted son."
Mean! 1t is English. 1t means
what it says"
"You are not that mans SOM"
"No more than you are. have al
ways passed as such and never
troubled to correct the error. Perhaps
as ray origin is humble one, / was