Weekly Trinity journal., 1870-09-24
WeekIy Grinity yournaI.
The RightfuI Heir.

- mean what ] say, OF course, was lhs
sharp reply. i" Do you think that am blind ?
that I have no knowledge of human nature ?
Was not Norman, until Estelle birth, your only
legal heir, brought up with the expectation Of
inherting your whole estate. And how it is
possible for him not to wish that she had never
been born or that she out of the way?'
Mr.. Rochefort rarely questioned what his wife
said or did, but now he looked seriously dis
pleased.
{" Is not the wrong that you have Influenced
me to do the boy enough without this cruel in
justice2 By right of these disappointed expecta-
tions, he should have had handsome provision
instead of the beggary pittance have willed
him. Let this suffice you. he is tenderly at
tached to the child, and she to him"
- 1t is this very affected fondness that makes
so fear him. You may be deceived, but
mothers eyes not easily blinded. This
fondness is only a cover to some treacherous de
sign | never liked his dark, moody ways and
looks, and wish he where | could never see
hear of him again"
d" l fear that you judge him by your own heart,
Isabel. AS for tire moody looks you complain
of, they undoubtedly occasoned by your
harsh treatment to him. Can you not trust the
unerring instinct Of CHILDHOOD Think you that
Estele would cling to him so lovingly, if there
was any such feeling in his heart toward herr"
q / care not for that; distrust the boy, and
cannol bear to see them together
Here the heavy folds Of curtain were thrust
aside and small boy about fifteen entered,
whose appearance indicated no little strength Of
character and limb. His dark skin was relieved
by hair and eyes of jetty blackness, and there
was a mournful look in the latter, strangely out
of keeping with his years.
He had evidently overheard something Of the
above conversation, for his cheek was pale, and
his lips quivered.
But Mrs. Rochcfort took no note of this.
What have you done with Esele?' she in
Ouirpd. in real r affected terror.
Before he could reply, little girl ran into the
room, her hands full Of wild flowers, and Il crown
of them among the ripping gold OF her hair
-" Oh, mamma, I've had such q splendid time !
Norman and have been clear to the top Of Bear
Hill"
{" How dare you take her so far from home p?
cried Mrs. Rocheiort, angrily, drawing the child
to her bosom.
"Please don't scold Norman, mamma.
teased him to go. wanted some Of the flowers
that grew there. Just see how beautiful they
are
The boy made no attempt at explanation or
defense, but watched silently the caresses that
the mother layished upon her child yet there
was nothing in that steady, moarnfHl gaze of
sullenness, with which Mrs Rochciort tainted
him
Mr. Rochcfort was, or appeared 10 be. entirely
absorbed in a book He WAS man than liked
peace and quiet, and had learned 10 enjoy these
in any degree, that be might see rs little pos
sible of what WAS passing around him.
It is strange that a woman so naughty and
uufeeling Mrs. Rochefort, should have n cbi
50 sweet and lovely MS E>telc 1t was in vain
thar she strovc TO instill into her innocent mind
the hatred and suspicious with which her own
was SO rife. She manifested for Normana strong
attachment and would often turn from her moih-
ers arms to his caresses.
" Is not Norman sometimes unkind to you,
darling-not when mamma aud papa are near,
hnt tvtta mil lam.
"Neyer, mamma. Norman would never be
unkind. !Ic is always best to me, whcn we are
quite by ourselves; and OH love him so
dearly ~
But he docs not love you, my poor child.
Listen to me- Were it not for YOU, when MOI
man got to be man. he would have this fine
house and all the beautiful grounds around it,
and a great deal Of money besides Would you
love any one who would take away from you all
ths?"
Not if they meant to. but Norman knows
didn't. would rather be poor myself than
have him so. When get to be II woman am
going to divide with him"
When you are II woman Estcle you will marry
some great handsome gentleman, who will love
you great deal better than this dark, sullen
boy"
81 shall never love anyone half so well MS
Norman mamma | am going to marry him
when am big enough am not, Norman 2"
Here the child threw her arms engerly around
her Cousins neck who had just entered the
room.
Very dear to the heart of that lone orphan boy
was the child, who clung to him so lovingly
She was the only one of the kindred who seemed
to care for him. Il is not likely that his mind
took in the fall meaning of those artless words
but he could not fail to comprehend the love
that spoke so eloquently and sweetly, and un-
mindful Of the presence of his uncle's wife he
held the loving child closely to his heart.
With eyes flashing scorn and rage, Mrs Roche
fort tore the frightened child from bis arms
'Tbis, then, is the secret Of all your foudness
for yonr uncle's heiress! This is your scheme
for getting the property into yonr own hands
1t is all well that 1t is unmnsked thus eary that
it may be f,ilei, for foil it | surely will -
The next day. Norman asked and obtained his
unces permission to 60 away And so he
went; and no one seemed TO regret his going ex-
cept Estele, who cried bitterly ut the loss of her
friend aud playmate
Even Mr. Rochefort seemed relieved at his alb
sence. Whether it was owing to his wife's i'll
will, or to some feeling of seif-reproach, ever
since his marriage he had felt uneasy in the boy
presence.
Mr. Rochefor's father had two children.
Francis and Henry. The marriage of the latter
to penniess girl, so ncensed the old man, that
though the cause of it died in giving birth to n
son, just year from her wedding-day, he would
never permit his name to be mentioned in his
hearing. lie died soon after bequeathng his
whole estate to Francis Henry was accidentally
killed on the same day, leaving his son Norman
then only two years old friendless and penniess
With the ayowed intention of atoning for his
grandfather injustice, Mr. Rocheiort adopted
his nephew, treating him in every respect as his
son and eventual heir. But his marriage, and
the birth of his little daughter, changed this
Norman and Estelle did not meet again until
the former was ("0ng, stately man, and the
latter had biossomeh into lovely woman.
All that was winning and sweet in Estee as
child had now frightened into new beauties ;
and for brief space Norman yielded to the in
toxicatng joy with which her presence inspired
him. Then he absented himself grieyng the
gentle heart of his cousin by the careful avoid