Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-04-14

a.
81 am such a poor, nerveless crea-
ture-so utterly destitute Of all pres
ence of mind-that l could only crouch
in corner and sob with terror"
After a drive. which seemed to her
excited fancy to endure for hours, they
stopped before a tall iron gate. which,
after time, was opened from within.
They drove over a long. winding walk.
at the end of which was large, gloomy
looking house, before which the vehicle
stopped. Then, assisted by Montgomery.
she was suffered to alight. A female
servant conducted her to the apartment
in which l found her.
"She was very kind to me-" Clara
went on. "and assured me over and over
again that no harm would be done to
me-that l was among friends. and
whatever l liked to ask for | should
have, but that she could not permit me to
leave that room. But no entreaty could
wiring from her who her employer was.
I have been here now nearly fortnight
everything l have expressed a wish for
has been given me, and l was growing
quite reconciled to my position. for l
can be content in any place where l am
treated kindly; but this evening, just as
was watching the great red sun sink
behind the trees, heard my door open,
and upon looking round I saw"
She buried her face in her hands,
seemingly unable to proceed. l knew
perfectly well whom she had seen, al
though 1 asked the question.
'"Those terrible eyes" she answered,
sinking her voice to whisper.
By the aid Of words l had heard spck-
7
derstand it all now, but only dimly. I
| asked her what she meant.
"Ah, have never told you" shet said,
with shudder. 81 will tell you now,
that you may understand my fearful po-
sition, and that you may take me away
from it."
close to me as she told her story, speak
| ing in a subdued voice.
81 was brought up by dear, kind
grandfather, the only friend ever knew;
| for my father, who was an officer, died
| in India, when 1 was very young, and
| my mother followed him within less than
| a year. She was my grandfather's young
est and favorite daughter; and, after
her death, he seemed to have trans
| ferred all his affection to me. for he lit
l
who was much-much older than my
self, but, like myself. an orphan. I
never liked him-or, l should rather say.
1 was always frightened of him; yet ev-
erybody called him handsome. especially
all the women. Until my mother brought
me home, little girl, from India, he was
| the favorite nephew, and was supposed
| to be the heir to all his grandfather's
| .1kl
showed it, too, and that turned the old
gentleman against him. When l was
about thirteen, grandfather made a fresh
| will; and as he. was never content to
have me a moment from his side, it was
| dictated to the lawyer in my presence
In it l was named heiress to all he pos
sessed, with the exception of an annu.
ity to John, and the former will, by
| which John would have inherited all his
wealth, was destroyed. l was very much
troubled when 1 heard this; and 1 told
J grandfather how much happier l should
be if he would let things remain as they
| were, as 1 was certain Cousin John
| would know better what to do with the
money than I should.
"Well, in some way or other Cousin
| John found out that new will had
been made, and that l was present al
the time. Once or twice he put some
questions to me in an off-hand kind OF
manner as to its contents; but mindful
Of the strict injunctions had received
1 was very cautious. and finding that he
could elicit nothing from me, he gave VI
the attempt. But he became more
frequent visitor to us. He also tool
great pains to ingratiate himself intc
grandfather's good graces, and not un
successfully.
tTo be continued.s