Year: 1873

In an lLlSCaut Lue Optu Siue VI O uo' n As'ii
tern was turned toward him, by some one who
was standing at the window. l then heard
the man at the desk say:


"Here it is; I have found the spring." and
then I saw him take out paper.


There was not time to call John. What
was done must be done quickly. I suppose it
was because did not think, that l acted so
recklessly; but knew I had only to put out
my hand to touch Johns gun, which was
loaded. I took it up and fred at the robbers.


must have tainted; for I knew nothing
more until found myself lying on the floor,
and Johns pale face bending over me. l
heard him say


"For Gods sake, Matte, speak to me"


II am not hurt only frightened, John.
Have those men gone away?


"What men, Matte" ?"


And then told him. He had only to turn
his head to see that my words were true.
There was the desk broken open; the pool Of
blood on the floor and just by the window.
as if it had escaped from the hand Of some
one leaving the room in that direction-was
the paper.


1t was worth all my suffering Of mind and
body, to see that paper in Johns possession.
We found, on examining it, that it was my
mothers will, dated "November 4th, II"
in which she left her property to her children.
John could not understand our joy, when he
read it to US, nor imagine what those men
could have been looking for.


1 had not yet moved from the sofa, on which
John had placed nae, when he raised me from
the floor. On attempting to RISE Il found l
was unable to walk He took me in his arms,
and carried me to my room. When he went
upstairs to call Mr.. Stone to send him for the
doctor, he found that he was not in his room.
When John told US of this, remembered
that as the light flashed on the face of the
man bending over the desk, / thought it
seemed familiar, and now I know it was Mr..
Stone.


The neighborhood was soon aroused and a
search commenced but no trace of the
wounded man could be discovered. He was
evidently dragged to the road, and then he
must have been put in carriage and taken
to some distant place, as we could hear moth
ing from him. "Mr. English" seemed as
much distressed and annoyed as we were, at
the occurrence, and aided us in every way in
his power but knew he was the cause of it
all, and urged John not to believe him.


I recovered very slowly. 1t was my first
day down stairs, that "Mr. English" came to
see me. was on the sofa. not able to sit up.
Mary had placed my writing desk and books
near me, aud I was endeavoring to amuse my
SELF as best could, when my visitor was an
nounced. How different my feelings now
from what they were at our last interview !!
The fatal Monday had passed, and yet, we
had heard nothing from him. Little did [
care now what he said to me, for had the
important paper ip my possesson-it was no
longer in his-but he did not know this, per-
haps"


He expressed great sympathy for Inc in the
earlier part of his VISIT and then, after Mary
was out of hearing, he said


"What is this hear about some one rob-
bing your brothers desk? Did the rogues
really take anything?"


II think not" replied "as the only thing
of value to them was found on the floor, after
they ran away. suppose it fell from the
mans hand as he got out of the window"


"But surely, no one would have run the
risk of losing their lives, merely for paper"


"Not under ordinary circumstances but
this was an unusual case."


looked at him steadily in the eye as l
spoke.


"No doubt you have been very careful of
the precious document. ever since"


"Yes; it has never left my possession;' : and
then remembered it was in the desk which
was before him. He saw the change in my
countenance, for I was too weak to conceal
my feelings. In an instant he suspected that
I did not consider the paper as safe as l wished
him to suppose. There was but one thing to
do. I put my hand on my desk and drew it
toward me. His face became deathly pale,
and he almost involuntarily extended his
hand to takeit from me, when the door open.
ed and John came in the room.


Mr.. Walker recovered himself Immediately,
and arose, saying


81 am glad you are so much better, Miss
Leslie. l am going over to Mrs. Lewis this
evening. Have you any message to sendY


"None, thank you"


He left the room, and never saw him
again until


AS soon as I was alone, l began devising
some scheme by which l might place my
mothers will in safe hands. I opened my
desk, after much thought, and wrote as fol-
lows:


"DEAR OWEN: You will find enclosed my moth
er's will. Icannot tell you now, how it came into
, my possession. You can well imagine Why 1t IS
not safe with Will you take care of it for me?
have already written, asking you to come to
Elmwood, and hope We shall sec you here soon.
Excuse this hurried note. lam sutferingin mind
and body, and am not equal to writing more at
present. Yours afIectionately,
MATTE LEWIS"
CHAPTER Xxx