Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1897-11-18
"IHAVE FOUND IT."

| had been reading and Cecil lingering
the keys OF the piano when Willard
came in.
His face was very grave, but he spoke
cordially to Cecil, who answered briefly
and insultingly-almost accusing him
of concealing the will. For one second
the dark eyes fashedangrily, but before
he spoke willard wore his calm, self
possessed face again.
"You are unjust, Cecil" lac said; 'ell
my influence was cxerted in your be-
half"
1T looks sol" was the sneering reply.
your uncle thought his business
should be left n competent and expert
enced hands. Have yours proved TO be
so?"
NO. | am not bargaining trades
man. Uncle Harry trained me for gen.
tleman."
The sneerlng emphasis brought a
dusky red for n moment on Wizards
dark cheek. He spoke with stern en-
phasis:
'Be content, then, to leave the cares
Of trade to me. Your income and pros
poets will give you sufficient for idle
ease"
His prospectsl looked up then, SO
puzzled that Willard said:
'Is it possible you have not told
Marian" 2"
"You have doubtless done so.''
mo, it was not my duty-certainly
not my pleasure"
Told me what?" cried, with a dizzy
feeling and choking of my breath.
Mrs. Stone answered:
"Your uncle's letter from Mr.. Hay an
nounce6 Mr.. Cecil Wellford's engage
ment to Miss Rose Hay"
"You may as well add" said Cecil,
''that we were privately married the day
I left. No one knows that as yet, but !
shall claim my bride when 1 return to
New Orleans.
l staggered toward the door, but
would have fallen had not Il strong arm
held me up as 7 reeled forward. The
same kind support led me to the library
| and placed me in deep armchair. i
must have been white and looked faint,
for u moment later glass OF wine was
held to my lips, and Willard said, very
tenderly:
Drink this, Marian! My poor child,
try to think he Is not worthy OF your
regret"
That nervcd ne. | drank the wine
and said: "I am not gricvingl / am
glad--glad!"
And then broke into hysterical weep
ing. I was but n girl. and had been
tried hardly in the last few weeks. 1
had thought all my tears spent, but
they flowed freely, as | buried my face
In the cushion of the chair and sobbed.
A gentle hand stroked my curls, and,
after / was quieter, l heard Willard
leave the library.
Cecil had gone to his own room, and
Mrs. Stone was alone, when at last
returned to the drawing-room. She
understood me, ] think, for when she
kissed me, she said:
II wanted to tell you before, but your
uncle forbade it,"
"Was he pleased?' / asked.
81 cannot tell you. Mr.. Hay Is an old
friend, and his only child will doubt
less inherit large wealth, but your uncle
never spoke of the matter to me be-
| yond giving me the letter TO read and
destroy and telling me to keep the mat
ter from you TIL we heard from Cecil"
"But the will?"
"Of that / know nothing"
We were n constrained party at break
| fast but when the meal was over Cecil
announced his determination TO search
| T., ,.yt1t
was found. Very grayely Willard ad-
| vised him to let the matter rest, but was
answered by such taunts as no man
| could bear patiently.
"Uaye your Will" he said. 1--WE viii
all search again"
But after all the search fell upon Cecil
and Mrs. Stone. ! would not stir a
| finger, and Willard stood beside me
while the others turned over every pa
per and rummaged every corner. AS
| Cecil opened n Japan cabinet fun Of rare
coins and stones, l saw Willard turn
| pale, and moment later Cecil cried:
81 have found TT"
He opened II hastily. 1t was very
short, and as he read all the blood de-
serted his face and he gasped for breath.
II was long before he spoke. Then he
said:
"You have seen this2"
81 have" said Willard, gravely.
"You-hid-itl"
"Nol l suspected It's whereabouts,
but did not lnow!"
"And you would have let it lie there?'
az win destroy it now II you consent
Let the matter lie between us two"
He glanced nervously at me. But
Cecil said: Marian must sec i'll" and
give me the paper.
Then ! knew that my uncle had re.
voked his old legacy TO Cecil and left
him five dollars, while my inheritance
was left intact, upon condition that
married willard.