Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1904-05-05

ly-"a woman whom you learned to dis
trust at lastT"
I'VE did. and yet"
"You did not dlstrust her IN vain, per-
haps," she added. Il will tell you, Sarah
Eastbeil, what I thought Of telling Reu.
len Culwlek--but II may be your light
70 hear this hret Of all, as II may affect
you most Of all-who knows? Read
what is written on that paper"
Lucy Jennings opened her desk end
produced long blue envelope. on which
were written words In large clear hand,
10 which she pointed with her fnger--the
finger OF fate 10 the tirnid girl who fol-
lowed every movement, and leaned for
ward to the paper cautiously and eager
ly.
Yes, Lucy Jennings was dght--that
which might affect the whole after life
Of Reuben Culwick and Of herself was
In the hands Of the woman-preacher.
On the envelope were written these
words:
"Herein IL contained the last VIII and
Testament of Simon Culwiek, Of Sedge
Hill, Worcester"
There was date appepded-the date
of the day on which Simon Culwick had
called at Hope street. Camberwell, for
the first time. auds last, In his life. IL
was a will made before he had come that
dag In search Of his son. and IL ovsr-
ruled all other testaments 10 which In
his life Of change he had set bis Ireu.
bling hand.
"where did you find thisT' Sarah ask
ed at last.
I'm that box" Lucy replied, pointing
to an old-fashioned hair trunk studded
with brass nalls--one Of the boxes which
Mary Holland had never claimed. what
right had that w9man with Reuben's
fathers willf'' asked Lucyi ''has she not
committed a crime against the lawi--Js
hot this an act Of revenge against himT
II don't see all this yet" responded
Sarah Eastbell. still thoughtfully.
This will ls sealed: II was given In
trust to Mary Holland before Simon left
for London. II leaves his property to
Reuben, and she would have kept him
from It. / see It all deapise that wom-
an, although j have never met her In my
life."
MARY Holland is not here to answer
for herself" said Sarah; "and Mary
would have preferred Reuben's being
rich to my poor grandmother's coming
TO this house"
"She brought your grandmother here
herself; there was plot in 1t. Read the
WILL"
"what right have to read itT' asked
Sarah.
You are In possession. Reuben Is TOO
A.. Ean H. H.
something In 1t which he Is not to know
first of ALL" she, added. with a sudden
doubt--"which is to be broken to him by
degrees"
Reuben IL as brave as q Iion."
"Oh, you don't know him." said Miss
Jennings pityingly.
II don't think so meanly of him as you
do" cried Sarah, with sudden spirit; "I
don't believe he has fretted for an In
stant about his fathers money, though
he told me 30 once. He has denied Ii
since; he Is above all mercenaTy thoughts.
Come and see how he will take this
news" cried Sarah, dehantly now.
II have no interest In it; 1t concerns
me not" said Lucy very sharply: 81
should not have mentioned 1t till l was
prepared to leave the house, had you not
come In with your foolish story Of hasty
wedding. Go. to him, Sarah. | am busy
with . holier task than yours"
Reuben took the packet from Sarah's
hand and read the superscription. his
eyes dllating with surprise, He made no
attempt to break the seal of'biack wax
but walked with her slowly toward the
bay window at the end of the room, as
though his sight were weak, and more
light were needed to assist 1t.
She seemed to hesitate In her progress
with him, and he put his arm round her
waist, as a privileged .lover under these
circumstances had . right to; do,
For better orTworse, for richer or
poorer, my First-cousin-o -once-removed
Sarah," said he lightly, but meaningly;
NOW tell me where this sprang from"
Sarah told him, while he listened with
the paper In his hand, and looked out at
the garden and the rising ground beyond
It. Tots stole away during the narration.
"Mary Holland -maye have received
possibly did receive-private Instructions
from my poor father with this will," said
Reuben, when Sarah had completed her
narratives: "she is not to. blame, l trust,
even IL 1t comes at usfhstiis fashion. 1t
was to be kept back, at Simon Culwick's s
request, certain time, possibly, he beiug
secretive man. Miss Holland is not
here to tell u.s." answered Reuben, "and
you and l stand In false position, with
this will lying like, bar upon the free
dom of our thoughts. take all the re-
sponsibility; 1t Is my right, as Simon
Culwiek's son."
"You are not afraid of the contents p
she asked, remembering suddenly Lucy
Jennings criticism of Reuben's temper
amert.
There is nothing within the will to
frighten me-" he replied firmly, "or to
make me glad, or cast me down. See
how steady the hand is that turns over
the pages of this book of fate"
His fingers broke the seal and took
from the envelope the document con.
tanned therein. HsElooked at the paper
for the first time. 1t was a brief will
which a few lines made clear. 1t was
written by Simon Culwick himself, and
witnessed by two servants who had left
the house two years since, and 1t left, as
Reuben had imagined from the first, the
whole of his property, free and indvisi.
BILE, to his old friends child, his faithful
housekeeper, Mary Holland.
He refolded the will, and regarded ut.
tentively his second-cousin, who remain.
ed dumb with amazement.
"And Mary Holland have turned cut
of, her own house. so that she is not here
to receive our congratulations, "said Reu
ben Culwick coolly.
CHAPTER XXVI.
The winter set In sharply that year
like the sudden frost to the hopes oi
Reuben. Culwick and his second cousin