The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-07-02

and silent one, and the gloomy old
| Reynolds mansion appeared deserted
as the great lawyer and his mysterious
| guide assembled the marble steps to-
| gether.
! The door was opened in response to
| their hasty summons. and the buffers
gruf voice spoke from out the shadows:
| "Mr Reynolds can see no one. He has
retired and mustn't be disturbed. Mrs.
! Reynolds is out"
AS the door was about to be closed
| In their faces the lawyer put forth a
restraining hand, while a glimmer of
| light from the interior shone upon his
face. The butler coughed APOLOGIZE
cally. mir. Hargreaves, sirr' he ex
claimed. BEG pardon, didn't know it
was you-obeying strict orders, sir. for
Mrs. Reynolds allows no one to be ad-
mitted to the house, saving the doctor
and yourself. sir. Do you wish to go
| upY'
The girl followed him up the velvet
carpeted stairs, then waited silently as
he tapped upon a heavy oak door near
the landing.
is your patient asleep, Jlm? he
asked Of the attendant who opened it.
mo. Mr.. Hargreaves," the young
man answered; "he is very restless to
| night
The girls face paled, and she drew
in her breath sharply. 81 will go In first
If you do not mind,' she said, and be-
fore Hargreaves could demur she had
entered the room. closing the door
softly behind her The lawyer turned
to the attendant, feeling vaguely
troubled He disliked mystery Of all
kinds. Mrs. Reynolds out. Jim?" he
asked.
Yes, sir, gone to the charity ball.
Old fellows pretty bad tonight" the
young man continued. rs that his
daughter, Mr.. HargreavesT
NO" the lawyer answered.; that is
not his daughter. Why do you ask?''
HE seems to have her on his mind"
the young man replied; talks about
this daughter of bis good deal when
Mrs. Reynolds is out"
A continued murmur Of voices came
from behind the closed door. Har-
greaves could barely distinguish the
girls low musical tone, which seemed
to be punctuated with sharp sentences
from the old man. until at length the
| girl herself stood in the doorway,
reckoning him to come. Her eyes shone
starlike, while two brilliant carmine
spots burned upon either cheek. The
old millionaire sat propped up in bed.
His eyes glittered like points of steel
beneath their shaggy brows.
Good evening. Hargreaves," he call
ed, and the lawyer noted that his
client spoke with a loud, new conf
dence.- "Let us get to work immedi-
ately. ! wish to add codicil to the
will drawn this afternoon"
"Mr. Reynolds" the lawyer expostu-
lated, do you realize the seriousness
of this move? Your affairs were salts
factorily settled this afternoon"
mot satisfactorily, SIR" the old man
answered emphatieally. There is no
time to lose. If you refuse to act in
this matter let me know at once, that
may obtain the services of another
attorney"
The girl threw back the cover of
small desk and pressed an electric bulb
above it. "Please," she whispered en-
treatingiy.
Half bewildered, Hargreaves seated
himself and wrote rapidly at his eli
ent's dictation. When the document
was finished the shrewd eyes Of the
old man conned every line; then, smil
ing triumphantly, he signed bis name
with a firm hand.
"Now, two Witnesses" he cried
"send for my attendant and DR.. Cur
tbs, who is downstairs"
When his wish had been fully COM
piled with the millionaire dismissed
the witnesses with a peremptory wave
of his hand and sank YEARLY back up
on the pillows.
"Mr. Reynolds" the lawyer said
slowly. 81 would like to know the
name of this young woman, who,
wisely or unwisely, has influenced you
to make such an important change in
your affairs"
The old man chuckled delightedly 81
don't know her name myself, Har-
greaves," he said. 81 have never seen
her before"
The girl bent over him, rearranging
the crumpled pillows and smoothing
the Counterpart with gentle touch.
'eYou will not be sorry for what you
have done this night" she said.
Sorry the old man exclaimed.
why, | shall rest at peace with all
the world" He pressed her hand.
"Good night, my DEAR" he said
Tears glistened upon the girls long
lashes. "For her," she whispered and,
bending lower, lightly kissed his with
cred cheek. She looked back again,
standing framed in the doorway. "Good
night" she repeated softly.
A few moments later Hargreaves
hastily descended the stairs. looking
searchingly into every shadowy corner.
She must give him some explanation.
1.-THE young lady has went, SIR" the
butler concisely informed him.