Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-05-06
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ly-"a woman whom you learned to dis
trust at lastY'
1--WE did, and yet"
''You did not distrust her In vain, per-
haps," she added. 81 will tell you, Sarah
Eastbell, what thought Of telling Reu-
ben Culwick-but it may be your light
to hear this first of all, as it may affect
you most of all-who knows? Read
what is written ON that paper"
Lucy Jennings opened her desk End
produced a long blue envelope, on which
were written words in large clear hand,
to which she pointed with her finger-the
finger of fate to the timid girl who fol-
lowed every movement and leaned for
ward to the paper cautiously and eager
1y.
Yes, Lucy Jennings was right-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 is contained the last Will ond
Testament of Simon Culwick, of Sedge
Hill, Worcester" -s-
There was a date appended-the date
of the day on which Simon Culwick had
called at Hope street, Camberwell, for
the first time, and last, in his life. 1t
was a will made before he had come that
day in search Of his son, and 1t over
ruled all other testaments to which In
his life of change he had set his rrenl-
bling hand.
"Where did you find thisl" Sarah ask-
ed at last.
'In that box" Lucy replied, pointing
to an old-fashioned hair trunk studded
with brass nails-one of the boxes which
Mary Holland had never claimed. What
right had that woman with Reuben's
fathers will?' asked Lucy; has she not
committed a crime against the law?-is
not this an act Of revenge against him p
81 don't see all this yet" responded
Sarah Eastbell, still thoughtfully.
"This will is sealed; it was given In
trust to Mary Holland before Simon left
for London. 1t leaves his property to
Reuben, and she would have kept him
from it. I see it all. despise that wom-
an, although 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
will"
what right. have to read it?" asked
Sarah.
You are in possession. Reuben II TOO
weak to bear the shock. There may be
| something in it 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 is as brave as lion.''
"Oh, you don't know him." said Miss
| Jennings pityingly.
81 don't think so meanly of him as you
| do" cried Sarah, with sudden spirit; 81
don't believe he has fretted for an in
stant about his fathers money, though
he told me SO once. He has denied it
since; he is above all mercenary thoughts.
Come and see how he will take this
news" cried Sarah, defantly now.
81 have no interest in it; it concerns
me not" said Lucy very sharply; II
| should not have mentioned it till I was
prepared to leave the house, had you not
| come in with your foolish story of a hasty
wedding. Go to him, Sarah. 1 am busy
with holier task than yours"
| Reuben took the packet from Sarah's
hand and read the superscription, his
eyes dilating with surprise. He made nc
attempt to break the seal of black wax
but walked with her slowly toward the
bay window at the end of the room, ar
though his sight were weak, and more
light were needed to assist it.
| She seemed to hesitate in her progress
with him, and he put his arm round he1
/ waist, as a privileged lover under these
| circumstances had a right to do.
| For better or worse, for richer Oh
poorer, my First-cousin- once e-removei
Sarah," said he lightly, but meaningly
nov tell me where this sprang from"
Sarah told him, while he listened, with
the paper in his hand, and looked out al
the garden and the rising ground beyond
it. Tots stole away during the narration
| "Mary Holland may have received
possibly did receive-private instructions
from my poor father with this will,'' sale
Reuben, when Sarah had completed hel
narratives; "she is not to blame, l trust
even if it comes at US in this fashion. i
was to be kept back, at Simon Culwick'
request, a certain time, possibly, he bein.
secretive man. Miss Holland is mo-
here to tell u.s." answered Reuben, "ane
you and stand in a false position, witt
this will lying like a bar upon the free
dom of our thoughts. take all the re
sponsibility; it is my right, as Simon
Culwick's son."
"You are not afraid of the contents p
she asked, remembering suddenly J.uc,
Jennings criticism of Reuben's temper
ament.
There is nothing within the will t
frighten me-" he replied firmly, cor t
make me glad, or cast me down. Sc
how steady the hand is that turns owe
the pages of this book of fate"
His fingers broke the seal and tool
from the envelope the document con
tanned therein. He looked at the pape
for the first time. 1t was a brief will
which a few lines made clear. 1t wa
written by Simon Culwick himself, an,
witnessed by two servants who had lef
the house two years since. and it left, a
Reuben had imagined from the first, tn
whole of his property, free and indivisi
BILE, to his old friends child, his faithful
housekeeper, Mary Holland.
He refolded the will, and regarded al
tentively his second-cousin, who remain