Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-12-10
CHAPTER VII


Tho inquest was over; the anticipated
verdict Of accidental death" had been
returned; and for the first time withiV
e-and-thirty years. the old brick grav.
OF the st. Georges was opened; while, IA
true Irish fashion, the people crowded
into The Kiyer churchyard to see the hus-
band-called off so suddenly in his grim
old age--laid beside the young wife who
had begun to die upon her wedding day.
Tire inevitable ceremony was over, and
only compassion for the orphan girl had
prevented its being a very hollow and
Indifferent one. But sympathy for her
while she stood beside her grandfathers
grave had given warmth and feeling 70
che dreary proceedings; and now all those
who an hour before. had stood with her
al the open grave, had met in the chill
and gloomy sitting room at Irayeere,
rather amused in their own minds, most
of them, to think what a farce it was to
wait for will where there was only
peuury TO inherit.
Celia Pennington sat beside Nora on
the hearth, where the cats and dogs lay
just as of old, and DR.. Armstrong stood
beside her, with one hand on the back of
her chair She wore an old-fashiOned
black calico dress, which she had kept in
her box for years, because she had
thought it so very ugly. But what other
mourning was in her power, when she
had not even one shilling in the world?
Celia was dressed prettily, as usual, in
thin, pure-colOred dress, which stood her
instead of mourning, and which she had
decorated funereally with jaunty bows
of black ribbon.
At the table near Nora sat VIII Foster,
employing the interval of leisure in
studying Bradshaw" which was open
before him. He had arrived from Eng
land only on the previous night, having
been obliged to escort his sister home
on the day after Col. st. Georges death,
but determined to return for the funeral.
Stin, it was not for his own return that
he was studying the times of trains and
steamers now, for he knew he had to
leave by the mail that night, and travel
without pause, TO reach HeatOn in time
for his Sunday morning service. Oppo-
site the girls, also at the table, sat the
old lawyer and Mr.. Pennington, each in
his grave aud somber black; and further
off, Mark Poynz, half sitting and half
leaning against the high, narrow window
either what was occurring or what would
eventually occur. At first, when he had
come from the churchyard to Traveere,
Dr. Armstrong had Suavely inquired if
he had any business to transact there,
putting the question so adroitly that he
felt Mr.. Poynz would be forced into
equiyocating in his confusion, and leaving
the premises at once. But Mr. Poynz
had done nothing of the kind.
"I have attended Col. st. Georges
funeral as family connection" he said,
land by that right l wait until Doyle
considers all business matters over, and
Is ready to leave the house himself; for
l intend to drive him back to Fintona."
Would not a servant do as wcll? in
CURED DIR. Armstrong. superciliously.
Possibly" replied Mark, with the ut
most composurc; but neither you nor |,
Or. Armstrong, have our own servants
here in Miss ST. Georges huse."
So the argument had ended, and Nuel
Armstrong was conscious of looking 4
little battled. though he schooled his face
determinedly.
y have for a long time" observed the
attorney, in clear, business-like tone,
had in my possession the will of the
late Col. St. George, with a letter of
trust. As all the property of which he
died possessed must be contained in the
iron chest which was in his own cham
ber, l propose, gentlemen, that We ad-
journ there first, that we may avoid dis
appointment and modification, if posi-
BILE
II was soon over, the digging out of the
h., 10, e -
rying hope-all soon over. The safe was
found empty. save Tor 4 few musty pa
pers Of no value; yet it was patent to
the slowest capacity there that the lock
had never been tempered with, nor the
seal broken.
And now Nora had 10 hear her grand
fathers will, and to know the while that
Il was 4 hollow mockery, and that all he
could bequeath to her was the old ruined
house and the useless animals. But this
wss no new pain for Nora.
Il always knew how poor Was she
said, smiling at the wears sympathy;
didn't your
"A perfectly correct and legal farce"
observed Mr.. Doyle, as he refolded the
paper. The only sensible thing the old
man has done, Miss Nora, is to leave me
sole guardian and executor. Don't you
think sog"
Thank you" said Nora, simply; but
& viii be 4 thankleSS task for YOU, Mr..
DOYLE"
DO you think" asked Nuel Armstrong,
lifting his eyes fer the first time from
NOTa's face. where they had fixed them
selves with surprise, that the letter you
hold may contain an Enclosure, which
would throw any light upon this matter,
Doyleg"
mot the slightest. And l have read
the letter already" replied the attorney.
81 George gave il 20 me to open, and
wished ME 70 read il. This will renders
the letter void; but the letter can throw
ne light upon this irritating WILL
is it possible" inquired Mr.. Foster,
shat that iron chest has secret recepta-
cleS, false back, or anything OF that
kindE'
i thought Of that" returned the law
yer. "as L examined it; but you viii
hnd that the most careful measurement
will not disclose 4 secret recess. Ne,
there is no doubt at all permitted us.
though the house shall be we'll searched.
The only ray OF light at all in this gloom.
Miss ST. George, is yorc own previous as
sCrance Of-yOur present condition"
Yes" said Nora. quietly, "of course,
knew how very poor was / have known
IL all my life, but l never thought of it
til a few days ago, when grandpa told
me how | wSs 10 earn my own liveli-
hood"
"0h, he told you that?" questioned the
lawyer, briskly. That betrsys . great