The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1897-09-01

"Be content, then, to leave the cares
of trade to me. Your income and pros
poets will give you sufficient for idle
ease"
His prospects! l looked up then, so
puzzled that Willard said:
us it possible you have not told
Mariana
"You have doubtless done SOL
"No, it was not my duty-certainly
not my pleasure"
Told me what?" l cried, with dizzy
feeling and choking of my breath.
Mrs. Stone answered:
"Your uncle's letter from Mr.. Hay an
nounced Mr.. Cecil Wellford's engage
ment to Miss Rose Hay"
You may as well add" said Cecil,
"that we were privately married the day
l left. No one knows that as yet, but
shall claim my bride when l return to
New Orleans.
! staggered toward the door, but
would have fallen had not strong arm
held me up as | reeled forward. The
same kind support led me to the library
and placed me in deep armchair. 1
must have been white and looked faint,
for a 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"
and said: 81 am not grieving! l am
glad-glad!"
And then broke into hysterical weep
ing. l was but girl, and had been
tried hardly in the last few weeks. I
had thought all my tears spent, but
they flowed freely, as l buried my face
in the cushion of the chair and sobbed.
A gentle hand stroked my curls, and,
after l was quieter, l heard Willard
leave the library.
Cecil had gone to his own room, and
Mrs. Stone was alone, when at last I
returned to the drawing-room. She
understood me, think, for when she
kissed me, she said:
81 wanted to tell you before, but your
uncle forbade it,
"Was he pleased?' l 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 till we heard from Cecil"
"But the will?"
"Of that l know nothing"
We were constrained party at break
fast, but when the meal was over Cecil
announced his determination to search
in Uncle Harrys room until the will
was found. Very gravely Willard ad-
vised him to let the matter rest. but was
answered by such taunts as no man
could bear patiently.
"Have your will" he said. "We will
all search again"
But after all the search fell upon Cecil
and Mrs. Stone. l would not stir q
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:
81 have found it,"
He opened it hastily. 1t was very
short, and as he read all the blood de-
serted his face and he gasped for breath.
It was long before he spoke. Then he
said:
You have seen this?"
Il have" said Willard, gravely.
"You-hid-it!"
mo! l suspected its whereabouts,
but did not know!"
sand you would have let it lie there 2"
II will destroy it now if you consent.
Let the matter lie between us two"
He glanced nervously at me. But
Cecil said: Marian must see it'll" and
gave me the paper.
Then l 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.
| The paper fell from my hands. and
covered my face. Wizards voice broke
an oppressive silence.
This paper concerns us only" he
said, land 1 take the responsibility of
destroying it,"
] heard match scrape and Cecirs
voice saying:
"You are nobler than l am"
Footsteps left the room, and I
thought was alone till heard Wizards
voice, low and tender:
i Marian" he said, your uncle
guessed the secret of my love for you,
though l 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. 1t breaks my heart to see you
unhappy"
1 lifted my face then. My secret
must have been in my eyes, for l was