Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-05-30
COUNTY, MD. THURSDAY MAY 3d. 100

l
move me. Oblige me by unlocking
| my dispatch box" lie paused oc-
casionally, as attended to his instruc-
tions.
Beneath the cashbox are some
papers tied round with red tape. Bring
them forward. Lawyers papers,
Nephew Richard. Lock tho box again.
Unite the papers, and take from them
the largest and most important 1t Is
my will. You may read it, If you like"
"Excuse me, sir. shall feel more
at my ease If I do not"
"As you please. 1t Is my will, max
ing you my heir to the greater portion
of my property. For what I have done
for you-for what I have cheerfuily
and ungrudgingly done, I have never
asked from you the least return;
have never requested you to render me
the slightest favor. For the first aud
| only time ask now favor at your
hands-give your consent to the union
of your daughter with Friend Mort
lock-"
II cannot, sir"
"Welgh we'll your words, Nephew
Richard. The consequences of your
refusal will be that I shall destroy
this will, making another person my
heir. To you and yours not one
shilling; nor shall you ever receive an
other shilling Of my money"
NV heart tainted within me; absolute
! beggary stared me in the face; and
with that beggary, as it seemed to me,
disgrace.
II regret" continued my uncle, "that
| I should have been forced into speak
ing so plainly. I give you until to-
morrow morning to reflect, to talk over
| the matter with your wife, II you care
to do so. Till then, we will speak no
| further on the subject. What have
resolved upon is irrevocable, and there
is nothing surer in life than you and
| I have done with each other forever
II YOU then determine to oppose my
wishes. Oblige me now by leaving me.
At this hour of the day l alwars seek
n little repose."
saw that it would not improve mat
ters IL I remained with him; there
fore left him and sought my wife.
"What has happened?" she asked, in
a, voice Of alarm. She read the news In
my face.
"The worst" replied.
l told her all, and, cast down and
lespairing as she was, she said that
l had acted right.
"Do you realize what 1t means" |
said. 1--WE shall have to quit this place
Mt once; we shall be thrown upon the
world to starve" And then I started
up, and paced the room in a state OF
terrible excitement, saying that 1t was
monstrous such blor7 should be dealt
us by a feeble old man.
"Feeble and DID," repeated, vacant
ly; "yes. feeble and old. He is over
seventy. If he should die tonight"
The words froze upon my lips.
"Richardw cried my wife.
,"God forgive me"' said; ~ know
not what am saying. But 1t shall not
shall nOt..shall not be-
All her sweet efforts were powcrlcsS
to calm me; in uncomfortable agita.
ton rushed from her presence.
How the day passed / can scarcely
recall l know that my wife sent
note by hand to Harry Clanronald, re.
questing him not to come 20 our house
that evening. l know that we, Mile.
Rosalic, Mr.. Wilmot and Mr.. Mort
lock, dined together, and that l was
forced to play the part of host.
know that the three whose names /
have written were full Of sparkle and
animation, while we were moody and
silent know that Mile. Rosalic and
Mr.. Mortlock played and sang. And
then came the goodnight all round, and
I was in my bedroom with my wife.
Her eyes were enclrcled by dark rings;
her face was wan, her limbs shook;
her voice trembled rs she spoke.
81 have made up my mind to do some.
thing" she said, in n pitiful tone.
tomorrow will speak to your uncle
myself, and will try to move him."
"You may as we'll try to melt rock"
| I said. And in my mind stirred the
refrain: "Hc Is feeble and old; If he
should die tonight! IL he should die
| to-nightw
81 shall need all my strength and
brightness" said my wife. Il have
not slept for the past three nights. so
great has been my anxiety. A nights
| good rest. and. shall ylse IN the morn
ing equal to the task Of saving our
dear child"
And still the refrain was in my mind:
''If he should die tonight! If he should
die to-night!'
There was al opiate on the mante!-
| shelf which I occasionally took to In
sure sleep. poured the requisite
number of drops into glass, and d.
luted them with water.
Drink this" l said to my wife.
"You will sleep sound'y and WELL and
! then in the morning if you still think
Of carrying out your plan you can try
our last hope"
I knew that 1t was vain hone ana
that her appeals would be thrown
! away upon this man who held in his
| hands the threads of our fate.
My wife undressed, knelt down to
pray--fervent and long were her pray
ers on this fatal highland then she
went to bed. / handed her the opatc
and she drank It.
"Ail will be well, my love-" she said,
| dreamily. "My mind assures me that
, nil will be well. Goodnight, dear love!
| God bless your
She drew me to her breast and
kissed her lips. In that embrace she
fell asleep.
I crept from the chamber in my
slippers and stole through tAe dark