Year: 1875

ashes still remaining there, would put that in q
twinkling beyond all risk of discovery.


Her first consideration was to seal the one
she desired to keep, and replace it in the desk
Unluckily the desk was in uncle Dicks room
and the doctor was there. At all events she
could get the wax and the seal she needed
those in any case


Gently unlocking her door, she went back
along the passage-having first taken the pre-
caution to fasten the door again after her-to
the chamber which communicated with the
sick-rcom Thence she passed noiselessly into
the latter.


Dr. Hartwell was standing by the fireplace,
with his hands in his pockets. He turned as
she entered.


up already, Miss Estelle! You have not
rested long, though was careful you should
not be disturbed"


"It is impossible for me to rest, Doctor.
How is he now?"


"Much the same. I think now, that it is
not unlikely that he will linger until morn
ing"


"Will he not recover consciousness, do you
think ?'


"No-oh ! no, unless, it may be- only a
transitory gleam-the last flicker of reason
ere the mind sinks into oblivion forever. He
will not be conscious, for any earthly end or
purpose, again


"Will he not know me again?'


"Possibly; but the chances are ninety-nine
to one that he will pass off just in this way,
without any visible change taking place be-
! fore-hand."


The questions were asked in a subdued,
scarcely audible tone, the questioner keeping
her face averted from the doctor, as she stood
with dropping head at the bedside. The an
swers were given with compassionate gentle
ness that showed how completely the doctors
sympathy went out to the young girl in her
unmistakable sorrow.


"Miss Estelle," he resumed after pause
81 think will be constrained to leave you
for WHILE My wife has been suffering from
nervous headache all day, and as l can do
no possible good here I would like to ride
over home and see after her. As I said just
now, the indications are that your uncle will
last till morning Ishall be back very early ;
and meanwhile you will of course have some
one up here with you. However, if you pre-
fer my staying, tell me so candidly, and will
do as you wish.''


"No sir; there is no reason why you should
put yourself to so much inconvenience. am
not afraid to have you leave me. Martha
Beckett will stay up here with me, I know"


Martha Beckett was the housekeeper, who
had assisted lately in nursing the patient.


"Well, will call her for you. Ifyou will
take my advice, you will give up your post
here entirely to her now, and go and lie down
aud rest. 1t will be better for you. He will
not know now, my dear child, whether you
are with him or not"


"Oh sir, can't sleep; it is of no use to
try"


"Even if you cannot sleep, bodily repose is
good for you. You have had long, trying
spell ofnursiug and watching; especially try
ing for one so young as you are. Well, | must
say goodbye now for short time. I'll send
the housekeeper up as l 60 out"


"Thank you, sir"


The doctor went, and Estelle seized the mo-
ment Of solitude to open the desk and take
out the wax and the large red seal, heavily
set in gold, which uncle Dick always kept for
business papers. These she put in her pocket,
re-locked the desk, and was sitting down by
the bed when Mrs. Beckett came in.


"Poor soul !" said the housekeeper-a mild,
fat, motherly old woman-as she drew near
and looked down on the patients unconscious
face. "The doctor says he's not long for this
world. But he does seem to be sleeping nicely
now don't he, Miss Estelle?"


"Thats kind of stupor, Martha; it's not
natural Sleep"


"Dear dear,-poor old gentleman! [ lit
tie thought when 1 entered his service, ten
years ago, that he'd 60 before me; for l was
real sickly, consumptivelike, at that time,
though I'm sure you'd never guess so now.
, Folks have told me that it was giving up my
trade of sewing, and coming out here in the
country to live, that saved my life; and l be-
live it was that and your uncle's kindness
together. All dear, I'll miss him sadly
when he's gone. But such is life! We're here
one day, Miss Estelle, and taken off the mex" "


"Yes," assented Estelle, rather absently.


"I'm sure you must he tired" said the
housekeeper, with a sympathizing glance.
Leave me here with him awhile, my dear,
and 60 and rest"


81 don't know about resting. But at any
rate, I'll 60 to my room for a little while, as
you are here Be sure and call me- Martha,
if am wanted"


II will, for certain" said Martha and
Estelle again sought her chamber, where she
had left her candle burning. There were the
two wills, waiting for her to dispose of them
at her pleasure. She looked at them both,
and conflict went on in her mind. For q
moment, the thought of the magnitude of the
responsibility laid upon her made her tremble
She was almost tempted to wish that she could
wash her hands of the whole affair-to wish
that uncle Dick had given her no charge con.
cerning it. 1t was he who had placed the
temptation in her way she had not sought it
Of her own accord.


Should she burn the last will, or the first,
as he had hidden her?


She did not hesitate long.
Applying the sealing-wax to the flame of
the candle, she deliberately, and with great
nicely, proceeded to seal the packet of oldest
date; carefully removing the jagged edges of
wax afterwards, and examining the impress
sion to see if it was as distinctly made as
uncle Dick always liked to have it. Yes, it
was quite clear and distinct; he could not
| himself have done it better
So much for the one to be kept Now for
the one to be destroyed.


She took the last-written document, and,
candle in hand moved toward the fireplace.


She was about to put it in the fame when
she paused. A sort of supersttious dread
had suddenly seized her; her hand trembled,
and dropped nervelcss at her side.
! What was this act which she was contcm-
plating? Was it not 4 felony? She knew it
must be a criminal deed, for which, if it was
discovered, she was liable to be punished, but