The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-08
CHAPTER VI.
A HAPPY INSPIRATION

a 81 HAPPY INSPIRATION.
While waiting for this young lady,
surveyed the three Gillespies with more
critical attention than l had hitherto had
the opportunity of giving them. AS re-
suit, George struck me as being the most
candid, Leighton the most intellectual,
and Alfred the most turbulent and i'm
governable in his loves and animosities.
All were under the same mental tension
and in all beheld evidence of deep hu-
initiation and distrust, but this similarity
of feeling did not draw them together even
outwardly,, but rather seemed to provoke
a self-concentration which kept them
widely apart. AS 1 looked longer, Leigh
ton impressed himself upon me as an in
teresting study-possibly because he was
difficult to understand; Alfred as a good
lover but dangerous hater, and George as
the best of good fellows when his rights
were not assailed or his kindly disposition
imposed upon. None of them seemed to
take any interest in me-. To them I was
simply connecting link between their
dead father and the letter held in charge
for Miss Meredith.
Meanwhile the coroner showed but one
enXiety, and that was for the lady's speedy
appearance and the consequent reading OF
the letter upon which all minds were fixed
She came sooner than we expected. AS
her soft football descended the stairs q
visible change took place in us all. Droop-
ing figures started erect and furroWed
brows grew smooth. Some of us even as
sumed that appearance of reserve which
men uncOnsciously take on when thei1
deeper feelings are stirred. Only Leigh
ton acted in a perfectly natural manner:
consequently it was in his direction he1
frightened chances flew when she realized
that she had been summoned for some
definite purpose
Il don't know what more you can want
Of me to- night she protested in tone
little short of frightened, gasp. 81 am
hardly fit 20 talk. But the doctor said
l must come down. Why couldn't YOU
have left me with Claire?"
because, dear Hope, this gentleman
you see here, and who, as you know, was
with father when he died, says he has a
letter, or some communication from you1
uncle, which he is sure was meant 70,
your eye only. DO you think nv father
would be likely to leave you such a mes
sage? Have you any reason for expect
ing his last thoughts would be for YOU
rather than for his sons? Answer: we
are quite prepared to hear you say Yes
She had been trying to steady herself
without laying hold of his arm. Bat she
found this impossible. With an expres-
sion OF deepest anguish she caught at
his wrist and then facing us, murmured
in failing tones:
'He might. l have helped him lately a
great deal with his letter writing Must
l read it here ?' II
In this last question and her manner
of uttering it there was an appeal which
almost took the form of prayer But it
failed to produce any effect upon the
coroner, favorably as he seemed disposed
to regard her. With some bluntness.
almost said harshness, he answered her
with a peremptory: i1s
Yes, miss, here" .
She was not prepared for this refusal
and her eyes, full Of entreaty, flashed
from one face to another till thew settled
again on the coroner.
II cannot she protested. Spare me
l do not seem to have full use of nv
faculties. My head swims-I cannot see
let me take it to the light over there
I am a nervous girl
She had gradually drawn herself away
from Leighton. The envelop, which had
been given her, was trembling in her
hand. and her eyes, wandering from
George to Alfred, seemed to pray for some
encouragement they were powerless to
give I ought to be allowed the RICH;
to read the last words of one so dearly
loved without feeling myself under the
eyes of-of strangers she finally de-
clarcd with a certain pitiful access OF
hauteur certainly not natural to one OF
her manifestly generous temperament.
Was the shaft meant for me? X did moi
think so, but, in recognition Of the hint
conveyed l stepped back and had almost
reached the door when I heard the coro-
ner say: 9
'If the words you find there have ref
erence solely to your own interests Miss