The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-06-28
THE MtSER'S HEIR
CONCLUDED.

"But what castle in tho air, is there
about that?"
ssOh, that isn't the CASTLE"
"Then what is the castle?" urged
the old man playfully.
"Why, simply this" said Walter,
laughing, but yet almost ashamed
patted me on the shoulder and said
he-in his playful way-Walter, I'll
sell you all my interest here for $780,
"Ha, ha," laughed Noah Bremen,
Sand you thought he was in ear
nest. -
"No, no." quickly returned the
young man, ''I did not think that,
though [ know that the other two
partners would be willing to have me
tor an associate"
s'But it seems to me old Osgood
holds his share in the concern at O
high figure"
"Oh no, it is very low one.
There is clear capital of $3.50, 600 in
the business at this moment, and
then think of all the standing and
good will which goes for nothing"
cha, ha, ha, laughed the old
man again.
Then Walter laughed, and then
they finished their supper.
On the next evening, Walter Adams
came in and sank down on the sofa
without speaking. He was palo
and agitated, and his eyes had
vacant wondering look.
'sWalter!" cried Agnes, in terror,
'what has happened?"
"He's SICK" muttered Noah Bre-
men without looking around.
"No, no, not sick" returned the
young man, starting up. "But I am
the victim of miserable trifling."
"Eh! How so?" asked old Noah
now turning his chair.
s.I'll tell you," said Walter, with O
spasmodic effort. 81 had some long
entries to post this evening, so 1
remained in the counting room after
the rest had gone. L was still at
work when Osgood came in and
placed some papers on my desk,
saying as he did so, here Walter,
these are yours; and then he went
out. When 1 finished my work,
opened the papers. The first was
q sort of inventory of what Osgood
had owned in the business, and foot
ed up, in square numbers, $40, ,975.
The next paper was deed convey
ing the whole vast property to me,
and making me o partner in the
concern upon equal footing with the
other two!"
"Well," said the old man, thump-
ing his foot upon the carpet, and
keeping time with his hands, II don't
see anything very bad in that"
"Bnt do" replied Walter. "It
is cruel to tritle with me thus
There was something in Noah's
eye again, but ne managed to get
it out, and then he spoke thus:
"Walter Adams, when young men
used to hover about my child, L
believed they were only after my
gold; and L knew that in most cases
l was correct. 1 believed the same
OF you. L knew nothing bat tho
love OF money could underlie human
action. My heart had become hard
ened by it, and my soul darkened.
But it was for my sweet child to
pouI tuo WhrmIu unu nBQC 1ntO my
bosom. 1t was for her to keep be-
fore me, the image of the gentle wife
whom l had loved and lost, but
alas! who occupied q place in that
love second to my gold. 1t was for
my child to open gradually but surely
founts of feeling which had been for
lifetime closed up. I heard her pray
for me-pray that she might love
ne-that she might have help from
God, to love me; and that was after
l had refused to let her be your
wife. l saw her grow pale and sor-
rowful, and still she prayed God
to help her-help her what? Help
her love her fatherl L was killing
her and she tried to smile upon me.
One evening, | heard you both talk
ing In the old hut My child chose
misery with duty to her father rather
than break that duty in union with
the man she loved. You prayed that
l might be made penniless-. Stop
hear me thrOuph Yo,, -,o,,15 4l,a,,