Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-12-22
Hidden
Perils
BY MARY CECIL HAY
CHAPTER yIX-fContInued., ,
BY MARY CECIL HAY

CHAPTER -(Contlnued)
When Rourke re-entered the library
1lucilla We're quietly put into his hands
the packet, tied aud sealed just as her
godfather had given IL to her.
For me-" he asked, laughing. Are
you not afraid: II would be easier for
me to burn this than to offer you the
cup or dagger"
Il don't know WHAT to do now" said
Lucilla, a little VIGOROUSLY, though with
much effort to suppress her joy. Mr..
Surle said it was to be read in your pres
cree, and Mr.. Gaveston's, and Athols,
and now here we are Lorraine, don't
toward the door; stay with me. Mr..
Surle meant the two families, yours and
mine, and we are all here now"
Rourke had raised his eyes from the
parchment to the two girls. and waited
till 10 raine had retaken her seat. Then
be smiled into her eyes with a look of
quiet content, and opened the will.
Shall | read itr' inquired Mr.. Cav
eston, feeling how Rourke was the last
to whom the task should be assigned.
But it was Rourke's very conscious
ness of this which made him wish to do
30, If only to prove to Athol how listle
Il moved him. The will was folded so
that he needed only gradually to open 1t
as he read; and he went, without falter
Ing, through the long, circumstantial deed
which took his uncle's property from LIN
end gave 1t uEreservedly to Lucilla We're
That is all, he said, laughing, as he
turned the last fold in the parchment,
except What does this mean?"
He passed the win on to Mr.. Gares-
ton, as if its touch burnt him; then
stretched out both of his hands to Athol
oh! my poor fellow, he has been
cruelest Of all to you"
What is it," exclaimed Lucilla com
ing eagerly up to Mr.. Gavestor. THE
will is all right and straightforward and
legal. What is it that astonishes Eourke,
and makes you so-silent?"
The will is all right--yes, end legal,
as you say" returned Mr. Gaveston, un-
willingly; but, look, the signature and
seal are cut away neatly and carefully
cut away My poor girl, what 4 revolt
Ing vent for the old mans grim humor :"
What do you mean? cried Lucilla,
bending her hot eyes over the document
''You are-joking ~
He turned the, parchment toward her,
and she saw the oblong and the round
cut with deliberate exactness, as no one
would have cared to cut them but in the
enjoyment of q keen malice. In the silence
which she kept, her eyes seemed fastened
10 the paper, her thoughts gone beyond
her control. No one broke the pause, for
what could they say?
'AthOl" she cried, gazing long and
earnestly into his worn face, "oh, Athol ~
He was close beside her now, and caught
her in his arms. You told me SO you
told me he was laughing at me all the
time; and | ridiculed the idea, and-and
went on in my own way. Now, we are
both-ruined p'
Ia the presence of them all Athol bent
and kissed his sisters shaking lips.
ut will be all right" he said, no
shadow of rebuke falling across his tone
or face; don't grieve, my dear; we shall
soon be as-we were before"
Never" she cried again, Eve never
can. l have destroyed it all. Oh, Athol,
you don't know-you don't know half
For years | have been dragging heavy
debts about us BOTH and staving them off
through this. Yes. though you prayed
me not-though you were never tired of
warning me. We can never pay now.
Never. though l should work as hard as
you are always doing. Oh, Athol, you
can never forgive me. My dear, my dear
! cannot bear to look into your face ~
Her own face was so drawn and quiv-
ering with pain that he gently turned it,
and hid II on his shoulder.