Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1909-05-13

should be left to me. When my uncle
died these infamous women stepped I'm
and took everything; and yet | know
Uncle John left will in my favor. I
have been away; that is why I have
not come forward sooner. But Woods
the lawyer, drew up the will, and
have reason to suspect It is hidden
somewhere In this house. 1 shall not
leave here till have found il. Now
are you going to show me the way TO
my uncle's library"
Elpie indicated it in fear and trem-
bling and returned to her seat. In
about a quarter of an hour Norman
Kemp re-entered flushed and excited
Il have found It, There's nothing
like determination, little cousin. Con.
cealed-where do you think? In the
flap OF the cover of the old family
Bible. or course, Mrs. Kemp will saw
she knew nothing of it." He began tn
read 1t, then uttered an exclamation
And here's mention of you. little one
And whereas. l have undertaken IN
provide for my cousins child. EIspetb
Grey, do hereby bequeath to the said
HASPSNh NSJ inc sum OF $4,000, to
be kept in trust by my wife until the
aforesaid Elspeth shall reach the ace
of 49, How old are you, Elpie?"
Il was Is in July" faltered Elpie.
Then you can claim your rights at
once. | shall see after your claims as
well as my own. Now l am going M.
tie cousin, straight to the LAWYERS
Good-by, Elpie."
Elpie's heart thrilled strangely as
her companions black eyes looked
into her face. He took her hand. then
suddenly raised 1t to his lips.
Forgive me; l couldn't help it. |
am your cousin, you know. and Won
are a brave and true little girl. Good.
by, Elpie; shall soon see you again. {"
And this strange burglar was gone
ASear later they met again. Nor
man Kemp was in full possession Of
MS property, and Elpie, who had the
modest income of 5000 from her we'll
invested inheritance, had been spend
ing months abroad with friends.
The Kemps discovered in what had
really been a fraud, had disappeared.
none knew where. No one but little
Elpie, who was a tender-hearted little
girl, cared where they went
She was no longer the little neg
lected girl he had first seen; she was
more womanly and experienced. But
sne still blushed, and then paled a
little as Norman took her hand.
1 have been making changes in my
nome" he said, after a little desultory
conversation.
Yes, I've heard So" Elpie an
swered, and somehow her head
drooped, and SO did her sweet childish
lips.
Norman sat looking at her silently.
And have you heard, also" he
asked quietly, at last, that 1 wish a
mistress for it?"
Elpie's heart beat very low and
DULY.
Yes, I've heard that, too. Miss
Miss Grant of Washington, isn't it?"
Norman started.
Who told you that?"
"Oh, 1 don't know; every one thinks
it."
Then every one is wrong" said
NOi HdH' ana ne suddenly came very
close to her and laid his hand on her
little fingers. "Elpie, there's only one
mistress in all the world 1 want for
IT; can't you guess who it is? The
little girl I've loved since 1 looked
down at her sleeping. a poor, little
ureo cinderella, in Mrs. Kemp's mag
innocent drawing room; the little girl
VINO trusted me from the beginning,
thouSh appearances were so terribly
against me. Elpie, will you consent to
be a burglars wife?"
And he must have heard an answer
that satisfied him, though no one else
could have done SO; for the next mo-
ment Elpie's little brown head rested
on her burglars breast, and then and
there he bent and kissed, not her hand
this time, but her lips.