Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-08-25
The Missing Will.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT


GO HE onyx clock on the mantel
chimed the hour of IL, and beau
q tifuI Norma Maynard arose to
retire STOPPING gracefully over her
fathers chair she lightly kissed his
forehead, then turned, with charm
ing gesture, to a tall, distinguished
looking man, who arose with alacrity
to clasp the dimpled hand. Good
night. Mr.. Netherby." Wells Neither
by's eyes sought hers. MY last even
ing has sped away on golden wings,
Miss Norma. Good night, but not
goodbye. I'll see you tomorrow?
Norma's shadowy eyes fell beneath
his pleading, questioning gaze, and she
trembled as his warm lips touched her
fingertips. but forcing smile, she an
swered light. You may If your
train doesn't l. ave too early; I'm not
an early bird you know"
Turning quickly to hide the forbid
den tears that dimmed her bright eyes,
Norma disappeared between the velvet
oortieres. while Wells lighted a cigar
and stared Mt the carpet in moody ST.
lence. The kind voice of the elder
man broke the oppressive silence.
"Rightfully, this estate with its
orInceIy revenues should be yours,
Wells Your father was Noel Neither
hv's adopted son. reared to believe he
would inherit all. but as no will was
found. the house being burned with
moor Netherby in il, the law gave II all
20 me. a total stranger, though distant
A.latiye. 1t is the height of injustice
Now. listen. Wells" the earnest voice
continued. Il am, convinced that your
affection for my daughter is recipro-
Gated. and the very fact seems TO me
providential.
30 not tempt me, sir. l will never
ask Miss Maynard's hand in marriage
until am her equal in wealth. am
no fortune hunter"
A brief silence ensues, then Mr.
MAYNARD queries. abruptly: Wells.
did YOU know the house is haunted?
Twice since we have lived here the
cellar has been filled with smoke, COM
ing from no earthly source that we
could find. IL l were a believer in
the supernatural. l would say that
Netherby's spirit could not rest after
meeting such an untimely death"
..Rnt this is a new house." remon-
strated Wells.
True. but the cellar Is the same.
This house was erected on the old
foundation.
what nonsense" laughed Wells.
"Tet us hope the old gentleman Is not
in such bad condition he would NIL
the house with smoke if he Should ma
terialize."
Wells soon after retired TO his room
on the first floor Sleep did not visit
him Mt once. and he lay tossing rest
lessly. thinking of the strange fate that
had made him an outcast and caused
him to fail hopeleSSly in love with the
daughter Of his fathers successor.
The weary eyelids closed at last. The
next thing Wells realized was queer,
choking sensation. Smoke enveloped
him and he found himself mechan-
ieally cropping his way along the han
to the door which led into the cellar.
A rush of condensed smoke greeted
him. but he Kept on When half way
down the stairs an mCanny, creepy
sensation came over him, as OF some
unseen presence. He paused; chill
crept down his spinal column; then in
the pitehy darkness the fitting figure
OF an aged man was plainly discern
lille. Wells stood SpelIbound, but the
phantom drew nearer.
The supernaturaly bright eyes peer
ed into his and an icy hand touchel
him. while the other beckoned him
forward
With cold drops oozing from his
forehead and his blood congeailng in
nis veins, Wells was drawn to a re