our interest in the estate of my
uncle."

As she spoke in a pleasant way, she pulled out a drawer--the very one
which had suggested concealment, when I first got possession of the
piece of furniture--and said--

"This is where the will lay concealed."

And she pressed against the side firmly, when a portion of it yielded,
and there sprung up another drawer, or receptacle, placed in vertically.

We were all very much interested in this curious arrangement. The drawer
could not be pulled out much beyond half its depth; the secret portion
lying within this limit.

As I stood looking at the drawer, a sudden thought flashed through my
mind, and I pressed my hand against the other side. It began to yield!
I pressed harder, and up sprung a corresponding secret receptacle, from
which a paper fell out. A hard substance rattled on the solid wood. It
was a gold locket, tied with a piece of blue ribbon; and attached, with
a seal, to the folded paper.

It was some moments before a hand reached forth to lift the document.
It was at length taken up by Mr. Wallingford. As he did so, the locket
swung free, and we saw that it contained a braid of dark hair. Unfolding
the paper, and stepping back to the light, he read, in a low, firm
voice, as follows:

"I, John Allen, being of sound mind, do make this as my last will and
testament, revoking, at the same time, all other wills. I give and
bequeath all my property, real and personal, to my sister Flora, if
living; or, if dead, to her legal heirs--reserving only, for my wife,
Theresa Garcia, in case she survive me, a legacy of five hundred dollars
a year, to be continued during her natural life. And I name as
my executors, to carry out the provisions of this will, Doctor
Edward-----and James Wilkinson, of the town of S----, State of
Massachusetts."

Then followed the date, which was recent, compared with that of the
other wills, and the signatures of the testator and witnesses, all in
due form. The witnesses were men in our town, and well known to us all.

At the reading of her mother's name, Mrs. Wallingford sat down quickly,
and, covering her face, leaned over upon the centre table. I saw that
she was endeavoring to control a strong agitation.

I was the first to speak.

"The ways of Providence are past finding out," said I. "Let me
congratulate you on this good fortune."

As I spoke, Mrs. Wallingford rose from the table, and, going to her
husband, placed her hands upon his