The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1897-08-27


the long drawing-room at Wexford
place, his face angrily flushed, his brow
; In heavy wrinkles, his whole frame
quivering with passion. [ had just told
him the terms of Uncle Harry Well
ford's will, for he had been in New Or
leans when our uncle died and reached
home three days after the funeral. ut
was letter fromMr. Hay" said, that
almost killed Uncle Harry. We thought
not be found"
Cecils face frightened.
"a letter from Mr.. Hay! A new Will"
he said, musingly, but keeping his eyes
keenly bent upon my face. why did
you think that?"
''Mr. Potter told Willard so; but we
could not find it -and-Willard
seemed to be pleased
mo doubt! The cur! No doubt the
new will gave me the rights of which
he has robbed me-"
''Oh, Cecil, don't-please don't!" L
pleaded. "WiIlard is not cur or
thief
And yet L said it falteringly, for was
not Cecil my cousin and betrothed and
Willard only my guardian under Uncle
Harry's will, and scarcely even friend
as yet?
But Cecil clenched his hands hard
moment and said:
''Tell me again the terms of this I'M
just will?'
Uncle Harry has left me the house
and $4,000, and to you $4,000; all the
rest-the factory, the real estate in
New York, the bank stock-you know,
Cecil-all the rest goes to Willard"
| shuddered at the oath that broke
from Cecifs lips. But Mr.. HAYS let
ter?" he asked.
Uncle was very i'll when that came
and he sent for Mr.. Potter at once. I
cannot tell you any more excepting
that a search was made for the will and
Willard seemed relieved when it was
not found"
Cecil made no reply to this. His an
ger seemed to have been rising till it
made him speechlesS. He strobe out at
the French window and down the gar
den path, while L threw myself upon tie
sofa and cried as had seldom cried il
all my petted life For Cecil was nv
betrothed, had been away more than
year, and ! fancied | loved him. His
letters had been brief and cold for a
long time, and now, after one cold ca
ress, he had spoken only of Uncle Har-
rvs wlll-not one loving. tender word
to me-doubly orphaned by our uncle's
death.
Willard was not our own cousin. but
Uncle Harry's Stepson. and much older
than either Cecil or myself We were
still children when Willard was sent to
Paris to take charge of the importa-
> lions for our uncle's business and he
had lived there until Cecil went to New
Orleans to control a branch establish
ment. Before Cecil left we were for
mally betrothed.
But | knew that Cecil was not Meas
ing Uncle Harry; that he was extrava-
giant, negligent of important business
affairs, and ugly stories of dissipat ion
came often to grieve us. Mr.. Hav. an
immensely wealthy Louisiana planter
who was one of Uncle Harry's friends
and business correspondents. had made
Cecil warmly welcome in his family.
and the letter that had so agitated
him had been at once DESTROYED. and
no hint of its contents given to me.
But long before this Willard had
come home upon business and Uncle
Harry would not let him leave again.
He was great contrast to Cecil.
Cecil, at IS, was the handsomest man
/ ever saw, with curling brown hair
and large blue eyes, a smiling mouth
and perfect features. He was seven
years older than myself, but ten wears
younger than Willard.
willard. when he came from Paris
was dark-haired, dark-eyed man. witly
q grave face, settled habits of punctu-
atty. a reserved manner; a man who
inspired confidence and whom Uncle
Harry, at nearly 20 years of age, re-
spected, which was a high compli-
nent.
l was glad Willard was away upon
some business of the estate as / watched
Cecil pacing up and down the garden
walks, restlessIy beheading all my pet
flowers with his cone. If they quar-