Lonesome Road Read Online Free PDF Page A

result in maintaining a continual state of excitement and uncertainty in the family—if it is known. Now, Miss Treherne, this is a very important question. Is it known?”
    Rachel Treherne frowned. The frown made her look older. She said in a slow, vexed voice,
    “I am afraid it is known.”
    “How? Who spoke of it? Your father? You? Surely not your legal adviser?”
    “My father spoke of it to my sister. He was very ill. I’m sure he wouldn’t have done so if he had been himself. It has always made things very difficult for me.”
    “Most unfortunate,” said Miss Silver. “And does everyone in the family know of the arrangement?”
    There was a momentary flash of humor in Rachel Treherne’s dark eyes.
    “I should think so. You see, it was a grievance, and when my sister and her husband have a grievance, well, they like to share it. I think it is quite safe to say that everyone in the family knows I revise my will once a year in January. Some of them are tactful about it, some of them resent it, the young ones treat it as rather a joke. If only they didn’t know—”
    Miss Silver took up her pencil and added a word to her notes on Mabel Wadlow. The word was, “Indiscreet.” She leaned back and said,
    “Is it possible that the terms of your present will are known?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “You must know whether there is such a possibility.”
    Rachel was silent.
    “Have you at any time had a draft of your will in the house?”
    “Yes.”
    “You are not helping me, Miss Treherne. Would it have been possible for anyone to see that draft?”
    “I suppose it would. Oh, one doesn’t think about things like that!”
    “I am sorry to distress you, but I am afraid we must think about them. You had the draft in an unlocked drawer?”
    “No, locked. But I am careless about my keys.”
    “I see. And if I were to ask you who would chiefly benefit if you were to die before you could make this annual revision of your will, would you answer me?”
    Rachel Treherne pushed back her chair and got up. She said,
    “No, Miss Silver, I couldn’t tell you that.”
    Miss Silver remained seated. She was knitting again.
    “Do you wish me to take your case?”
    Rachel Treherne looked at her. Her eyes said, “Help me.” Her lips said,
    “Please—if you will.”
    The needles clicked.
    “I wonder if you will take my advice,” said Miss Silver.
    Rachel’s lips parted in a sudden charming smile.
    “If I can,” she said.
    “Go home and tell your sister that you took the opportunity of being in town to go through your will, and that your have made considerable changes in it this time. She will certainly inform your other relatives, and for the present there will be no more attempts upon your life.”
    All the color went out of Rachel Treherne’s face.
    “No—I couldn’t do that.”
    “It would be a safeguard.”
    “No, I won’t do it! I won’t tell lies—it’s too degrading!”
    “Make it true then. See your lawyer, alter your will, and let your relations know that you have done so.”
    Rachel stood there silently with her hands on the table edge. She seemed to lean on them. At last she said,
    “I will think about it. Is there anything else?”
    “Yes. I think of taking a short holiday. Can you recommend me to cottage lodgings in your neighborhood? I should be an acquaintance who is friendly with the Cunninghams. It would then be quite natural for us to meet, and for you to invite me to the house.”
    “I can invite you to stay.”
    “Without exciting remark? It is very necessary that no one should imagine I am anything but a private visitor.”
    Rachel Treherne smiled again.
    “Oh, but I am always asking people down—all sorts of people. It will be quite easy. I like having people who can’t afford to go away, and—” She stopped short and colored vividly.
    But Miss Maud Silver was not at all offended.
    “I shall do very well as a gentlewoman of restricted means,” she observed. “Let me see—I