Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-09-01
CHAPTER "


Sir Reginald Glendenning was out of
humor one sunny morning in May. The
daily mail had been handed him, as usu-
al, just as he had commenced his break
fast, and one letter that he had then
received had discomposed and made him
surly and violent.
What luck is this?" ne muttered.
After my not going to the funeral of
my sister, and thus, by my absence,
showing that l had not overlooked her
plebeian marriage, to think that these
people have forwarded such a letter as
this 70 me is absurd! | do not care if II
was written by her before her death.
They might have known l did not wish
it, Take charge of her husbands niece,
fOrsooth! She may so to the almshouse
for all me- l will not have thing to
do with her.
So saying, Sir Reginald turned to his
library, tossed the offensive letter into 4
drawer of his bookcase, locked it, and
putting the key in his pocket, rang the
bell furiously for a waiter, ordering him
TO have the groom bring to the door a
young horse named Tempest at once, as
he intended 10 ride. Springing upon the
back of the handsome creature, Sir Regi-
maid Glendenning dashed away, just as
his nephew, Robert. a young man about
twenty years of age, appeared upon the
deserted piazza.
He was in personal appearance very
tall. with a magnificent figure, dark com
plexion, handsome features and large.
speaking black eyes, while his whole air
portrayed the pride that he had so rich
ly inherited from his own immediate fam
lily.
BELIEF he exclaimed, as his sister. a
beautiful brunette, followed him. See
our worthy relative dsshing down the
carriage way at that breakneck speed.
BOUNDS, If l were TO ride in that savage
way he would rate me soundly for ii for
the next three days. l wonder what
news that letter could have contained to
irfuriate him as it did. Do you know. he
Is always terribly provoked when he
rides like that"
Il do not, neither does Aunt Con
stance. l should hike TO read it though,
would not your"
Yes; l wonder where he put it?'
I'm the drawer of his bookcase, where
he keeps letters not answered. / wish
could unlock it. but the key has gone
down the carriage way in the old gents
pocket" replied the unfilial girl
well. since YOU express wish TO see
II. perhaps l can aid you. See! this key
looks as though it might fit any lock. .
returned the young man, readily enough
falling into the suggestive mood of his
sister.
Laughing. the young girl turned quick
IL with him. and both glided with
stealthy steps towards the library and
their uncles desk. The key fitted: fact
Robert well knew, as II was not the first
time il had been tried by the unprin-
eipled nephew, and the following letter,
written with a hand evidently feeble
from sickness. was eagerly read. then as
quickly returned TO its hiding place. and
the drawer relocSed, as they had found
1t.
On the envelope was written. ITO be
sent TO Sir Reginald Glendenning, Bart.
after my desth."
Sir Reginald Glendenning;
My Dear Brother-You viii doubt
less be surprised to receive this letter
from one who has been SO many years
separated from her family, in eonSe-
Quence Of having married. secretly. the
man Of her choice. Allow me merely 70
say that when you read this, the sister
that you once loved viii have passed
away. and. therefore, she trusts thar all
hard feelings that her marriage may have
occasioned will be buried forever. Broth
er, write 70 you now in order TO crave
a favor at your hands. My only child
died In infancy, and just twenty and a
half yesrs ago. l, with the consent OF
,ny husband. took charge of a little girl
of gentle blood and some pleasant futu=S
prospects, and gave her the love Of s
true mother. On her twenty-frst birth
SAY she viii be az liberty to open certain
documents laid aside for her. and ther
will come into possession Of her owr
property, for some little awaits her ma