The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-09-03

Drihk this, Marian. NY poor cotb4s
try 70 think he is not worthy Of your
regret"
That neryed me. i drank the wine
and said: II am not grieving. | am
glad-glad."
And thenI broke into hysterical weep
tried hardly in the last few weeks /
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 strokcd my curls. and.
after | was quieter, l heard Willard
leave the library.
Cecil had gone 10 his own room, and
Mrs. Stone was alone, when at last
returned 10 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 il an OLD
friend. and his only child will doubt
less inherit large wealth, but your uncle
never spoke of the matter to me be-
Nohh Rflitk ult tit ltittI tO anu
destroy and telling me to keep the mat.
ter from you till we heard from Cecil
but the will?"
"Of that know nothing"
View a constrained party at break
fast, but when the meal was over Cecil
announced his determination to search
in Uncle Harry's room until the will
was found. Very gravely Willard adj
vised him to let the matter rest, but was
answered by such taunts as no man
could bear patiently.
'Have your will" he said. 1--WE win
all search again"
But after all the search fell upon Cecil
and Mrs. Stone. / would not stir
finger and Willard stood beside me
while the others turned over every pa
per and rummaged every corner. As
Cecil opened japan cabinet full Of rare
coins and stones, / saw Willard turn
pale, and a moment later Cecil cried:
Il have found it,"
lie opened it hastily. 1t was very
short. and as he read all the blood de
serted his face and he gasped for breath.
1t was long before he spoke. Then he
said
you have seen this?"
IL have" said Willard, gravely.
"You-hid-iti"
no. i suspected its whereabouts,
but did not know"
And you would have let it lie there ?"
Il will destroy it now if you consent.
Let the matter lie between us two"
He glanced nervously at me. But
Cecil said: Marian must sec it," and
gave me the paper.
Then | knew that my uncle had re-
voked his old legacy 10 Cecil and left
him five dollars, while my inheritance
was left intact. upon condition that l
married Willard.
The paper fell from my hands, and
covered my face Wizards voice broke
an oppressive silence.
This paper concerns us only" he
said, 'and l take the responsibility of
destroying it,"
1 heard a match scrape and Cecil's
voice saying:
you are nobler than / am
Footsteps left the room. ard
thought was alone till heard Wizards
voice, low and tender:
Marian" he said, "your uncle
guessed the secret of my love for you,
though / implored him to leave you
free. but he made the will you have just
seen. Only its ashes remain, and you
are free. as before. DO not grieve>
Marian. IL breaks my heart TO see you
unhappy"
/ lifted my face then. Ny secret
must have been in my eyes, for was
caught in strong clasp. and tender
kiss fell on my lips. as Willard whis-
pered:
MY love. My wife,
So Cecil. returning TO his own wife.
knew that his false faith had left nc
broken heart at Wexford Place. where,
in the Christmas time of rejoicing
there was n quiet wedding. and | be-
came indeed Wizards Wife Y.
Ledger.