Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-06-30

Cecil was marching up ana GOWN
the long drawing-room at Wexford
place, his face angrily flushed, his brow
in heavy wrinkles, his whole frame
quivering with passion. Ihad 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. at
was letter from Mr.. Hay" said, "that
almost killed Uncle Harry. We thought
he had made a new will, but it could
not be found"
Cecil's face frightened.
"a letter from Mr. Hayl Anew will"
he said, musingly, but keeping his eyes
zeenly bent upon my face. why did
you think that?"
''AIr. Potter told Willard so; but we
could not find it and-and-Willard
seemed to be pleased"
mo Doubt The cur! No doubt the
new viii gave me the rights of which
he has robbed me-"
"0h, Cecil. don't-please don't!" ]
pleaded. "Willard is not cur or
thief"
b And yet 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 un-
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!"
l shuddered at the oath that broke
from Cecils lips. But Mr.. Hays let
ter?" he asked.
Uncle was very i'll when that came
and he sent for Mr.. Potter at once. /
cannot tell you any more excepting
that search was made for the will and
Willard seemed relieved when II was
not found"
Cecil made no reply to this. His an
ger seemed TO have been rising till it
made him speeches.. He strobe out at
the French window and down the gar
den path, while threw myself upon the
sofa and cried as had seldom cried In
all my petted life. For Cecil was my
betrothed. had been away more than a
year, and I 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 will-not one loving. tender word
10 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-
tons for our uncle's business and he
had lived there until Cecil went to New
Orleans to control branch establish
ment. Before Cecil left we were for
maIly betrothed.
But I knew that Cecil was not pleas
ing Uncle Harry; that he was extrava-
CANT, negligent Of important business
affairs. and ugly stories of dissipation
came eften 10 grieve us. Mr.. Hay. 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 sgitated /
him he'd been at once DESTROYED, and
no hint OF it's 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 a 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 years
younger than Willard.
Willard. when he came from Paris,
was dark-haired. dark-eyed man. with
6 grave face. settled habits of punctu-
atty. a reserved manner; a man who /
inspired confidence and whom Uncle
Harry. at nearly 70 years Of age. re-
spected. which was = high eompli-
ment.
was glad Willard was away upon
some business Of the estate as watched
Cecil pacing up and down the garden
walks. restlessly beheading al my pet
flowers with his cane. II they quar-
relied. thought. with a shudder-
Cecil looked numerous.
Then cried again until Mrs. Stone.
nv old Foverness. who remained as
my companion came in 70 comfort me
The dear old lady was very kind. very
rentle. but she said little about Cecil.
and hat little seemed 70 advise me to