Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1909-04-02
I-Iidder,
Perils
nv MARY CECIL HAY
CHAPTER NIX.-tContinued.)

When Rourke re-entered the library
fu,illa Vsrc quietly put into his hands
tbs packet, tied and sealed just as her
godfather had given it to her.
For mcl' he asked, laughing. Are
you not afraid? 1t would be easier for
me to burn this than to offer you the
cup or dagger"
IT don't know what to do now" said
Lucilla, a little VIGOROUSLY. though with
much effort to suppress her joy. MIR.
Surlc said 1t was to be read in your pres
aAce, and Mr.. Gavcston's, and Athols,
and now here we are. Lorraine, don't
co." she cried. as Miss Galveston moved
toward the door stay with me. Mr..
Surlc 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 Lorraine had rctaken her seat. Then
he smiled into her eyes with a look of
quiet content, and opened the will.
"Shail l read itE' inquired Mr.. Cav
eston. feeling how Ro,irkc 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
so, IL only TO prove to Athol how little
it moved him. The will was folded SO
that he needed only gradually to open it
as he read and he went, without falter-
ing, through the long, circumstantial deed
which took his uncle's property from him
and gave it unrcservedIy TO Lucilla We're.
That is ALL" he said, laughing, as he
turned the last fold in the parchment,
''exceps- What does this mcanr"
He passed the will on to Mr.. Caves
ton nc &c ,fs t,,tnI Irrpt HIM. thon
stretched out both of his hands to Athol.
cruelest of all to you."
What is itE exclaimed Lucilla, COM
ing eagerly up6to Mr.. Gaveston. "1he
will is all right, and straightforward and
legal. What is it that astonishes Rourke,
and makes you so--silent!"
.'The will is all r~ight-ycs. and legal,
as you say returned Mr.. Galveston, I'M
willingly; but, look. the signature and
seal are cut away!-ncatly and carefully
cut away! My poor girl, what a revolt
ing vent for the old mans grim humor :"
What do you meant cried Lucilla,
bending her hot eyes over the document.
you rc-joking !.
He turned the parchment toward her,
and she saw the oblong and the round
cut with deliberate exactness, as no one
would nave cared to cut them but in the
Of a keen malice. In the silence
she kept, her eyes seemed fastened
to the paper, her thoughts gone beyond
control. No one broke the pause, for
could they say?
"Athol!' she cried, gazing long and
earnestly into his worn face, ''oh, Atholr'
He was close beside her now, and caught
her in his arms ..Yon told me so you
told me he was laughing at me all the
time and | Iidiculed the idea, and-and
went Oh TIT MY v WAY. Nov, we are
both-ruined
In the presence of them all AthoI bent
and kissed his sistcr's shaking lips.
1t will be nil right he said, no
of rcbuke falling across his tone
or face ; don't grieve, my dear we shall
be as-swe were before"
.Never," She cried, again. I'VE never
can | have destroyed it all. Oh, Athol,
you don't know-you don't know half.
For years l have been dragging heavy
debts about MS both, and ~staving them of
through this. Yes, though you prayed
me not-though you were never tired of
warning me. We can never pay now.
though l should work as hard as
you are always doing. Oh, Athol, you
can never forgive me. My dear, my dear.
1 cannot bear to look into your face -
Her own face was so drawn and quiv-
ering with pain that he gently turned 1t,
and hid it on his shoulder.
- LNEwE