The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1873-05-01

ao"e'e1 me conflict 1t oocasioned might
end, strangers presence could only
emoarrss' her, quietly withdrew, aud,
going ur'stairs, begsn packing Bertha's
things and my OVID, preparatory to re.
turOing to the hotel; for though l felt
doubtful on some points, of this was
sure, th't never sgaio should / IN my
sober serses consent to pass another
oight under that roof.
I had just succeeded in undoine all
bad done 50 nicely about ten days be.
tore, and having shut and fastened
down the last truck lid, was preparing
tor Bertha's astonishment and a modi-
fed explanation, whom my sister enter.
ed, followed by Miss Leonie and Rab.
Bertha Was flushed with exercise and
quite cheerful.
"Certainly, come 10, Mis-. Leonie,''
she said pleasantly, "Ma1y is here and
quite at leisure to see you" Then
turaing to me with a look of sur
prise she added, "Miss Van Artlandt
has something important to say to Us it
seems"
l really cannot now say how long a
time had passed since left Miss Leon.
10 in tho parlor, but she seemed to have
lived ages. All the wistfal sadness
was gone from her eyes, and the
mouruful langsor had left her manner.
A hard, strong purpose marked her
white face, every muscle in it seemed
set like curves in marble, and her
voice fell like metallic ring as she
spoke.
"Mrs. Ferry, I want you aud Miss
Barton to do me the favor of witnessing
what I am about to say; my friend
Barbara Murray here is good enough to
allow me to arrange 4 very important
business with her in this private man
uer, thus rendering unnecessary the
publicity aud delay of law, which to
solitary women like us would be very
unpleasant. Barbar.'s father and mine
were partners have just learned, and
Mr.. Murray was a man of considerable
wealth, though very economical tastes.
My f,ther's share 10 the firm was much
dimioished BY his mining speculations,
which he INDUCED beyond prudence.
so that even this house became Mr.
Marray's property, and from partner
my father was forced to descend to a
working agent for his late associate,
who being totally without education,
was dependent on him to keep all ac-
counts add do all his writing. MIR.
Murray stayed here when not on bu,i.
aess IN the mines, and his dislike to
display or elegance can be seen in his
choice Of that little room below, where
last night seven years ago be died sud
denly Of apoplexy without any will or
business settlement. My father took
charge Of everything, aud has been
very Fortunate in his stewardship. My
mother seat for Barbara, M. Murray 5
only child, whom be chose to bring up
in the plainest and most economical
way as part Of his peculiar vhim, and
my mother adopting his idea carried it
cot. 1t does not signify now, her own
is returned with interest, and she must
10 it's enjoy yment strive to forget the de-
lay. was absent at school in Brus-
sells, where I remained until six mon BIS
before my mothers DEATH. I came
here to find my father suffering under
a terrible disease of the braiu, the con-
sequence Of too intense application to
business. His mind being painfully at-
tected, my mother allowed no one to at.
tend him but herself. He was con-
foed in the room occupied by Miss
Barton, and TWO weeks from the day he
expired my mother died in fit ioduc.
ed by fright. Her nerves were nm.
strung, and she saw Bah come out Of
her fathers room in the twilight when
she supposed the door to have been
locked for years. She screamed and
fell iu spasm ou the dining.room
| floor then We carried her up here, but
she never spoke again.
| "It was to break up the gloom ol
this great blow md to scatter the SILLY
tanoies that followed it, that I adver.
tised the house and made the arrange.
meut with your family. I did not then
know that 1t belonged to Miss Murray
to whom I have this morning surrender.
ed everything, preparatory to 4 quie'
legal transfer. She generously pro-
poses to lend me money to return te
Brussels, whore l am sure Of teach
er's place in my old school, and will
receive my written agreement to repay
it in and during the next year,
"Oh, that is al her plan" }" cried Bal
10 an outburst, ''she's welcome to hall
and more than welcome, and III ueve,
take cent if can help it unless she
Keeps full half. knew the Who'll.
thing before Id been here a year, bu'
waited to see it work itself out, and
never was in the least hurry, nor !
amt now. She"-here Bah jerked he,
lead in the direction of the female
portrait-s'never koew what comfort
Was, Watching him. here she in1icat.
ed the gentleman's picture, tend h.
lived and died grooming. They could
ut rest, but l WAS sure it would come
round right, only I won't take all now
that's fat"
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