Middletown transcript., 1868-10-24
d" Perfectly So"


eccentricity of the deceased has placed on
a par with the other lots ?"
"You must be joking, M. Dubois" ex-
claimed Madame de Villeboys; "you must
really be dull not to see the intention of
Sister Egerie in all this. Our honored
cousin foresaw well, that her book of
prayers would fall to the lot of Anne, who
had the last choice"
And what do you conclude from
that ?" inquired the notary.
81 conclude that she intended to init
mate to her sister that repentance and
prayer were the only help that she had to
expect in this world"
As she finished these words, Madame
de Villeboys made definite selection of
the ready money for her share.
Monsieur Vatry, as may be easily i'm
agined, selected the chateau, and jewels
as his lot.
Monsieur Vatry," said NJ. Dubois to
that gentleman, "even suppose it had been
the intention of the deceased to punish her
sister, it would be noble on your part,
millionaire as you are, to give up at least
a portion of your share to Anne, who
wants it so much 2"
Thanks for your kind advice, dear
SIR" replied Vatry "the mansion is sit
uated on the very confines of my woods,
and suits me admirably, all the more 90
that it is ready furnished. As to the jew
els of sister Egerie, they are "reminiscences
which one ought never to part with"
"Since it is So" said the notary, "my
poor Madame 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, and making her son kiss it
after her, she said: Hector, kiss this
book, which belonged to your poor aunt,
who is dead but who would have loved you
, we'll 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 present
G were filled with tears, Notwithstanding
: their efforts to preserve an appearance Of
: Indifference.
The child embraced the old book with
1 boyish fervor, and opening it afterward-
: 80 mama," he said, ''what pretty pic,
i lures n'
: "Indeed !" said the mother, happy in
the gladness of her boy.
h Yes. The good Virgin, in rec
a dress, holding the infant Jesus in hel
l arms. But why, mama, has silk paper
: been put upon the pictures ~
If $50 that they might not be injured
my dear"
y But mama, why are there ten silk pa
= pers to each engravingW
y The mother looked, and uttering a sud
d ded shrek, she fell into the arms of NJ
:" Dubois, the notary, who addressing thos
a present, said:
:, Leave her alone, it won't be much
J. people don't die of these shocks. AS fo
you, little one, addressing Hector, &c Civ
= me that prayer-book; you will tear tn
engravings."
lie The inheritors withdrew, making variou
N conjectures as to the cause of Anne's sud
is den illness, and the interest which the no
to tary took In her. A month afterward the
~ met Anne and her son, exceedingly wei
s, yet not extravagantly dressed, taking a
m airing in barouche. This led them t
he make inquiries, and they ascertained tina
;" Madame Anne had recently purchased
hotel for one hundred and eighty thousan
)" francs and that she was giving frst-rat
e. education to her son. The news came lik
thunderbolt upon them. Madame
ne Villeboys and M. de Vatry fastened t
t, call upon the notary to ask for .explana
d. tions. The good Dubois was working &
a his desk
g ''Perhaps we are disturbing you?" sal
e. the arrogant old lady.
t: "No matter. l was in the act of SCI
nd Ting purchase in the state funds for Ma
at dame Anne.
nd "What !" exclaimed Vatry, "after pul
90 chasing house and equipages, she has sti
money to invest p
.e- "Undoubtedly So"
de ssBut where did the money come from
as "What did you not see ?"
ne "When?"
,se "When she shrieked upon seeing WIN
the Prayer-book contained which she il
,u- herited."
1--WE observed nothing"
nj 80! thought you saw it," said Il
sarcastic notary. "That Prayer.book co.
de tanned sixty engravings, and each engr
wing was covered by ten notes of thou
the and francs each"
nld GOOD heavens!' exclaimed Vat
f thunder-struck,
ce. "If had only known it r' shouted NJ
dame de Villeboys.
be- "You had the CHOICE" added the not
ce. ry, "and myself urged you to take t
ave Prayer-book, but you refused"
AXE Shut who would have expected to fl
fortune in breviary."
,rie The two bafled old egotists withdre
on their hearts swollen with passionate epy
Madame Anne is still in Paris. If y
k" pass by the Rue La6tte on a fine SUNNI
inc evening, you will see charming piotg
ON +hn 6,st Aoor ;llun,;noted NV the ms