The Republican journal., 1871-04-20

iii' "hNio . SiooihJ HouSe, anu NHch lio
love story was confided to her. gave a
willing consent to her daughters betroth-
al with one whom she believed to be hon
orable and true q sincere Christian and
worthy of her confidence The question
OF money never occurred to her, and her
amazcment was unfeigned when she found
Martin Gilmore entirely opposed to the
match on the ground Of the bride elects
want of fortune.
Herbert at once asserted his right to
choose for himself. lie was young law
ger, with Il fair practice, without sutfi
clent means to warrant matrimony ut
present, but hopeful and industrious,
willing to wait for his home until he earn
ed 1t, and by no means waiting for his
Uncle Martins fortune to fall to him. In
the spring time of which | am writing,
Herbert was 4 party in Il lawsuit of which
l must soon write more, and there was
some hope that the little home over which
Lottie was to preside, might he nearer
than was at first anticipated.
April was a week old when, one even
ing Herbert came to Mrs. Williinson's
pleasant parlor evidently in 4 state of.
great excitement Loitie was alone. sew
ing Ooh, ye romantic y a patch on'thc cl-
bow of Toms Jacket.
''Lottic put down that sewing, do, and
hear my news"
Such sympathzing blue eyes are not
always raised for news.
''Ive had 4 windlall.n
"What is it, Bert ~
81 never would tell you about this law
suit before, Lottie, because did not con-
slider my chance worth a pin: but it is
different, now, and | want to tell you
about it,"
Il am listening, Bert
"My father had two brothers and one
sister. my Uncle Martin, Uncle Godfrey,
and Aunt Elsie. Years ago Uncle God
frey and Uncle Martin accumulated large
fortunes, but father was too liberal and
open-hearted to save much, and never
was rich man. Some two years before
he died Aunt Elsie married a man as poor
as himself, but good and true. Uncle
Godfrey opposed this match bitterly. and
when She was left widow after six
months of married life, he refused her any
assistance. She was then very i'll with
what has since developed into spine dis
ease, and father took her home. In
furious wrath Uncle Godfrey made u will,
leaving his entire fortune to Uncle Martin.
was but little child when all this hap
pened, but heard of it. Some five years
ago Uncle Godfrey sent for me to make
him Il visit, and during that visit we be-
came attached to each other. No longer
the stern angry man who disinherited my
father, he was soltened and penitcnt, and
spoke most kindly of Aunt Elsie. Before
| left him he promised to revoke his un-
Just will, giving me my fathers share,
and Aunt Elsie hers. DO tire you with
my long story ?"
"No, indeed !"
1.-TWO years ago Uncle Godfrey died.
Uncle Martin, as the oldest brother, took
out letters of administration, and claimed
the property of the old will. But behold
neither old nor new will could be found
| was not of age, and my guardians and
Aunt Elsie at once claimed the division of
the estate according TO law. SO com
menced the suit, and tomorrow the de-
cision will be given in court. But a few
days ago, Uncle Martin, in turning over
/ some deeds and mortgage papers, found
the will leaving him the entire property"
go, Bert y
"Wait, Lottie. OFF started uncle to his
lawyers with all the papers bundled up
together, and on his way he lost the
whole out of his overcoAt pocket. He
has advertised in vain, Offering Il large
reward. Small as Hanover is, Uncle
Martins papers are completely lost to all
appearances. SO tomorrow the suit will
probably be decided us Uncle Godfrey
would have wished, and Bert Gilmore
will have fifty thousand dollars to oil'er to
Miss I4ottie Wilkinson.n
.sBut Bert if they are found ~
Then Uncle Martin adds my share and
Aunt Ese's to his own, and we are left
as before
at seems hard ?"
"True, but he has the law. OF coarse
if the will is found, it would be only
cheating to hold it back but it seems ut
terly lost, OF surely such tempting rewards
Us he adyertises would produce it,
Then came other topics. Mrs. Wilkin-
son came in, and there was no more said
about the lawsuit until the young man
was leaving, when he said to Lottie:
"To-norrow evening you may see the
heir to fortune if those papers do not
turn upn
.'When were they lost, Bert ?''
''One week ago to-day. Good night,
Lottle."
One week ago. Why, that was April
Fools day If-if-Lottie scarcely dared
to think in words as she sped across the
entry to the sitting room, and tore open
the closet door. Pulling out the papers
in front, there lay the parcel she had
found in the street With cold, trembling
fingers she opened it, ,again. There they
lay, closely written sheets, folded in legal
shape, and amongst them even her own
inexperienced eyes soon detected the
will.
'.Oh, dear, oh, dear!' That was all
she said, as she wrapped up the parcel
and went to her own room with it.
Martin Gilmore was at breakfast, and
to say that he was not in good humor
gives but mild idea of the energy OF his
movements and the scowl upon his face
Herbert had hastily swallowed his coffee,
but the old gentleman, growing III
everything, was still ut the table.
"a lady to see you, SIR
"a what y cried the old gentleman,
glaring at his servant
"a lady to see YOU. sir"
"What does she want ="
'Wants to see you, Sir"
''Show her in. A bcggar for some
charity. She won't get anything here
If there is anything do hate it is Il
strong minded committee woman ~
The little figure that followed the maid
servant into the room, scarcely answered
ones preconceived ideas of the energetic
specimens of the sex hated by Martin
Gilmore. She was petite, fair, and young,
wore mouse-colorcd dress, trimmed
with blue, and blue ribbons on her hat.
WANT to see me ?n growlcd the gen
tleman
"You lost package of papers week
ago, sir. Here they are"
Eagerly he clutchcd them, and opened.
one after another. "You shall have the
reward" he said. Eyes, yes, they are
all here"
II did not bring them for Il reward
They were yours, and it was only honest
to return them'
Little could he guess, by the clear,
steady blue eyes, what wakeful, weep
ing night her honesty had cost.
''Why did you keep them week."
81 did not know what they were until
last evening""
Cant you read ?"