The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-02-26

| Il
to her sister that repentance and praye
were the only help thai she had to ex
pect in this world
As she finished these words, MADAM
de Ia villeboys made definite selection
of the ready money for her share. Mon
sieur vatry, rs may easily be imagined
selected the chateau, furniture and jewel,
As his lot.
Monsieur vatry,' said NJ. Dubois Il
that gentleman, 'even suppose It hat
been the intention Of the deceased to pun
ish her sister, it would be noble on YOU
part, millionaire as you are, to give up q
least portion Of your share to Anne,
who wants it so much.'
Thanks for your kind advice, dear sir,
replied Vatry; the mansion is situated
on the very confines OF my woods, and
suits me admirably, all the more so as !,
Is ready furnished. As to the jewels o.
sister Egerie, they arc "reminiscences
which one ought never to part with
Since it is so, said the notary, my
poor Madam Anne, here is the prayer
book that remains to YOU
Anne, attended by her son handsome
boy with blue eyes, took her sisters old
prayer book, an. making her son kiss il
after her, she said:
'Hector, kiss this book which belonged
to your poor aunt, who is dead, but who
would have loved you well had she
known you. When You have learned to
read you will pray to Heaven to make
you wise and good as your father was
and happier than your unfortunate
mother
The eyes Of those who were nearest
were filled with tears, Notwithstanding
their efforts to preserve an appearance O.
indifference.
The child embraced the old book with
boyish tervor, and opening it atterward-
20! mamma, he said, what pretty pic
mresr
Indeed, said the mother, happy in the
gladness OF her boy.
Yes. The good Virgin, in red dress
holding the infant Jesus in her arms
But why, mamma, has silk paper been
put upon the picturesF
so that they might not be injured,
my dear
But. mamma, why are there ten silk
papers to each engravingF
The mother looked. and uttering asud.
den shrek, she fell into the arms of NJ
Dubois, the notary, who addressing those
present said:
Leave her alone, it won't be much
people don't die Of these shocks. AS fo'
you, little one, addressing Hector, civ,
me that prayer book; YOU will tear the
engravings.'
The inheritors withdrew, making vari
ous conjecturcs as to the cause Of Anne''
sudden illness, and he interest which tn,
notary took in her. A month afterward
they met Anne and her son, exceedingly
well, yet not extravagantly dressed, TAX
lug an airing in two horse.chariot.- =
This led them to make inquiries and they
ascertained that Madam Anne had recent
" purchased hotel for one hundred ant
eighty thousand francs, and that she Wis
giving tirst-rate education to her SOD
The news came like thunderbolt upol
them. Madame dc Villeboys and NJ. d,
vatry hastcncd to call upon the notar.
to ask for explanations.
The good Dubois was working at hi
desk.
perhaps we are disturbing your sai'
the garrant old lady.
NO matter. / was in the act Of set
tling a purchase in the state funds 70
Madam Anne
What" exclaimed vatry, after pur
chasing house and equipages, she ha
money to invest
Undoubtedly so.'
But where did the money come from
what! did You not seer
when Z :
when she shricked upon seeing wha
the prayer-book contained which she III
hcrited.'
we Observed nothing
oh! Thought that you saw it, sai
the sarcastic notary. That praycr-boo
contained sixty engravings, and each er
craving was covered by ten notes Of
thousand francs each
GOOD Heavens! exclaimed Vatr
thunder-struck.
III lhad only knownit" shouted Mad
am de Villcboys.
You had ,l,eehoicc, added the notar,
and myself urged yoa to take the pray
er-book. but YOU refused
But who could have expected to fin
u fortune in breviary.'
The two bafHed old egotists Withdrew
their hearts swollen with passionate env!
II Madam Anno is still in Paris. II yo
pass by the Rue Lafitte on n fine sutnme