Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1902-03-06
CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.
The inquest was over; the anticipated
verdict of accidental death had been
returned; and for the first time with.p
dve-and-thirty years, the old brick graW
of the st. Georges was opened; While, i.
true Irish fashion, the people crowded
into the kilyer Churchyard to see the hus
band-caled off so suddenly in his grlm
old age-laid beside the young wife who
had begun to die upon her wedding day.
The inevitable ceremony was over, ami
only compassion for the orphan girl mad
prevented its being very hollow and
indifferent one. But sympathy for her
while she stood beside her grandfnthers
grave had given warmth and feeling to
the dreary proceedings; aud now all those
who, an hour before, had stood with her
at the open grave, had met in the chill
and gloomy sitting room at Traveere,
rather amused in their own minds, most
OF them, to think what farce 1t was to
wait for will where there was only
penury to inherit.
Celia Pennington sat beside Nora on
Che hearth, where the cats and dogs lay
Just az 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 a
chin. 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 Will 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
Still, 1t was not for his own return that
ne was studying the times Of trains aud
steamers now. for he knew he had to
Seave 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
cid lawyer and Mr.. Pennington, each in
his grave and somber black; and further
of. Mark Poynz. halt sitting and half
leaning against the high, narrow window
seat, seemed to have little to do with
either what was occurring or what would
eventually occur. AT first, when he had
come from the churchyard to Traveere,
DIR. Armstrong had suavey inquired IL
he had any business to transact there,
putting the question so adroitly that b"
felt MIR. Poynz would be forced into
squivocating in his confusion, aud leaving
the premises at once. But Mr.. Poyn2
had done nothing of the kind.
81 have attended Col. St Georges
funeral as family connection" he said,
"and by that right | wait until Doyle
considers all business matters over, and
Is ready to leave the house himself; for
intend to drive him back to tintona."
Would not II servant do as wellY in
CURED DR. Armstrong. superciliousy.
Possibly" replied Mark. with the ut
most composure; but neither you nor l.
DIR. Armstrong. have our own servants
here In Miss st. Georges huse."
So the argument had ended, and Nue.
Armstrong was conscious of looking q
little bailled, though he schooled his face
determinedly.
81 have for a long time" observed til,
attorney, in clear, business-like tone
"had in my possession the will OF III,
late Col. st. George. with letter o.
trust. AS all the property of which b,
died possessed must be contained in tn,
iron chest which was in his own cham
Der, l propose, gentlemen, that We ad
jOurn there first, that we may avoid dis
appointment and modification, IL posi-
ble."
IL was soon over, the digging out Of tn
chest, the search In it and the weak tar
rying hope-all soon over. The safe wa
found empty, save for a few musty pa
pers of no value; yet II was patent (
the slowest capacity there that the loo
had never been tempered with, nor tn
seal broken.
And now Nora had to hear her grand
fathers will, and to know the while tina
II was hollow mockery, and that all h
could bequeath to her was the old RUNE
house and the useless animals. But thi
was no new pain for Nora.
II always knew how poor was" sh
said, smiling at the wears sympathy
''didn't you"
"A perfectly correct and legal farce
observed Mr. Doyle. as he refolded ii
paper. "The only sensible thing the oil
man has done, Miss Nora. Is TO leave N
sole guardian and executor. Don't yC
think 500"
SHANK you" said Nsra, simply; "bl