Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-07-21
which be would conceal from his own

as the great lawyer and his mysterious
guide assended the marble steps to-
gether.
The door was opened in response to
their hasty summons. and the buffers
gruff 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
restraining hand. while a glimmer Of
light from the interior shone upon his
face. The butler coughed apologeti-
cally. "Mr Hargreaves. sir!' he ex-
claimed. BEG pardon. didn't know 1t
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
upT
The girl followed him up the velvet
carpeted stairs. then waited silently as
he tapped upon heavy oak door near
The landing.
''ls your patient asleep, JimT' 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. II 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 is that his
daughter, Mr.. Hargreaves%
NO" the lawyer answered; that Is
not his daughter. Why do you ask p
He seems to have her on his mind"
the young man replied; talks about
this daughter Of his good deal when
Mrs. Reynolds is out"
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,
beckoning 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 a 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"
"Not satisfactorily, sir" the old man
answered emphaticaIly. ''There is nc
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 9
small desk and pressed an electric built
above 1t. Please" she whispered en-
treatingly.
Half bewildered. Hargreaves seated
himself and wrote rapidly at bis eli
ents dictation. When the document
was finished the shrewd eyes Of the
old man conned every line; then, smii
ing triumphantly, he signed his name
with firm hand.
Now, two Witnesses" he cried
"Send for my attendant and DR.. Cur
tbs, who Is downstairs" .t.
: When his wish had been fully com
piled with the millionaire dismissed
the witnesses with peremptory wav
Of his hand and sank YEARLY back up
on the pillows.
"Mr. Reynolds" the lawyer sail
slowly, II would like to know tn
name of this young woman, who
wisely or unwisely, has Influenced yo1
to make such an important change 4
your AFFAIRS"
The old man chuckled delightedly, "
don't know her name myself. Hal
e greaves," he said. II have never see
, her before"
: The girl bent over him, rearrangin
the crumpled pillows and smoothin
the counterpane with gentle toucf
"You will not be sorry for what 70
. have done this night" she said
: "Sorryp the old man exclaimed
}. why. shall rest at peace with a
: the world" He pressed her han'
"Good night, my DEAR" he said.
Tears glistened upon the girls Ion
lashes "For her." she whispered ant
s bending lower, lightly kissed his will
cred cheek. She looked back agail
II standing framed In the doorway. Goo
night" she repeated softly.
g few moments later Hargreavt
hastily descended the stairs. lookir
searchingly into every shadowy corne
II She must give him some explanation.
n "The young lady has went, sir" II
b butler concisely informed him.
The lawyer was summoned upo
= the following morning by the your
IS and beautiful wife Of bis client. II,
aged husband had not awakened fro
D. his last sleep. They had found hi
y very early, lying motionless, still wi
'e that contented smile upon his face.
Events followed closely after tn
y and Hargreaves turned with shudd
y of disgust from the glaring newspap
g. headlines. Again he was forced in
+ the limelight: "Millionaire's will to
contested-Ezra Reynolds. whose sc
y ond marriage to a beautiful socie
n girl caused much comment few yea