Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-06-16
SELECTED STORY.
THE DISINHERITED NEPHEW.

LII lNAk AZ ~ W.
Mr.. Amos Arkwright sat before his study
fire cogitating. He was thinking over the
words uttered by Squire Houseworth half
an hour ago, when that worthy had been
sitting with him over the sherry and pine
apples at dessert.
"What very fine young men your neph-
ews are, Mr.. Arkwright p
eyes," muttered Amos, Il suppose they
are very fine young men-very fine young
men, indeed !! But wish they hadn't been
brought up with the idea that they'd rich
uncle to fall back upon. Florian is des
perately extravagant young coxcomb, with
out an idea in his head, except the club
house and his new silver dressing box; and
as for Albert, studious and thorough-going
though he may be, there's something about
him that always reminds me Of the ring OF
false metal Since the days of Joseph Sur
face, no one has ever really believed in these
model young men. It's perplexing-it is,
upon my word. I've almost a mind to turn
my fortune into gold bars and throw it into
the East River J. I really believe the boys
would do better if I were bankrupt
Halo here comes Florian now !" .
Florian Leverson lounged into the room,
handsome, blue-eyed young man, with
gold brown hair, and merry, Apollo
shaped mouth.
"Well, UNCLE" saluted this youth, drop
ping languidly into chair.
'Well, young man. brusquely respond
ed the uncle, in tone denoting no very
rapturous welcome.
II was just looking for you, uncle"
"Were you, indeed p said the old man,
dryly, =, $50.
'More debts, eh Pr
"Not exactly, sir. Uncle" desperate
effort, as one might pull the string of an
iced shower-bath. "Pm engaged to be
married :" ''@'t"t
"And who is the young lady ?" a -
calico Dean"
ga pretty girl, very, for those who fancy
the Anglo-Spanish style Of good locks =
but you've made fool of yourself!'
In what way, sir 2" demanded Florian
"She don't care straw for you-it's
your expectations she's going to marry p
"Uncle p
"Don't tell me !'' cried Mr.. Arkwright
"As if hadn't found out the hollow hypo
crisy Of this scheming, knavish world, long
before you were born Marry the girl
be fool, if you like; but mark my words
if you weren't the nephew of Amos Ark
wright, the rich old bachelor, Alice Dear
wouldn't look at you twice :"
"Uncle, you are speaking what is false!'
"Hold your tongue p wrathfully inter
|jected Mr. Arkwright, cor I'll disinheri
you r
II would rather be disinherited than thu
insulted," rejoined the hot-tempered nephew
By way Of answer, Mr.. Arkwright mere
ly rose and strobe out of the room, nearl
tumbling over his other nephew, ALDER
Wheatley, at the head Of the stairs
''My dear uncle p cried Albert, tall
dark, stylish looking man, with voice a
soft as flute.
"Don't speak to me p' cried Mr.. Ark
wright, ''for Pm in passion"
Gin passion, uncle pr ea.
with your shiftless, good-for-nothin,
jackanapes Of cousin, Florian Leverson !!
Albert Wheatley's face assumed mill
expression Of sympathetic regret.
"It is scarcely to be wondered at, Uncl
Arkwright. Florian principles are indee
to be deplored p
Mr.. Arkwright cut Albert short by hui
rying past him down stairs, and shooting OF
into the the street.
Half an hour afterward he came back
hustle. II ssl s.Q. a-s-stsg 5sl.5ls. 8.
4 Boys" he cried. putting his head int
the room where his nephews were, endurin
one another's company by the adventitio1
aid ofthe evenings newspapers. "Pve g
ITO 60 out west to see about the railroa
lands I've been buying. There's trouble
, the new Board Of Directors, and | mu
It look after my interests in person."
And thus disappeared Mr.. Amos Ar
wright.
y Alice Dean was retrlmming her opel
hat week or two atterward, when the do
opened, and Florian Leverson walked deli
erately in. 's5m
She smiled welcome to her lover. b
then she noticed that he looked very pal
"Florian, what has happened 2"
/ have bad news 20 tell you, Alice
said Florian Leverson, seating himself b
side her sMy uncle has died sudden.
somewhere out West He has been threa
ened with appoplexy for some time pas
but he was person who never took ar
precautions for his health and lam left
beggar." sxg
10 Florian, I thought he was rich"
$50 he was but through some stranl
d pique or perversion, he has left all his 70
n tune to my cousin Albert ~ F'' ~ 3.
is "But Mr.. Wheatley will surely divi'
i with you, Florian; he knows that you tv
' we're brought up together in anticipation
!. an equal share Of the family estate.'
bel lorian's lips curved bitterly.
mo9 "You do not know Albert Wheat
= Alice; he is selfish, cruel and grasping.