The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-08-26

Mr.. Belgraye, and / might as well
plead guilty.
81 am sorryp Then be stood look.
ing at me curiousiy for moment,
ii suppose / ought to congratulate
you, Miss Lane, on your recent good
fortune. Shall ~
"If you can do so sincerely-not
otherwise"
He laughed. Then | will keep
my breath for other purposes"
"Shall you ever forgive me for
having supplanted you 7"
al don't know, my great expecta-
tions have turned out nearly as delu-
sive as those of poor Pip. / ought
to bate you, Miss Lane, but | don't
quite"
Thanks for the margin that saves
me from utter condemnation"
II can't help thinking" he went
on, rehectively, 'that Madame Bel
grave meant to restore me to favor
finally. and that only opportunity
was lacking. Proud and obstinate
as she was, | am sure that she loved
me-"
"And so, on the strength Of that
opinion-which may or may not be
correct-you expect me to abdicate
in your favor 7"
al did not say So" Again his eyes
swept my face curiously. "Is it in
your heart to be so generous?"
/ shook my head.
Remember I've tasted the cup Of
poyerty-and it is bitter to my pal.
ate. 1t seems delightful to be rid o.
the toll and anxiety attendant on
earning ones own living, don't think
| could take up the old burden again.
"I know you would like lotos eat
ing"
"Who doesn't, for that matter
Besides it has all the zest of a new
sensation just now l may tire of il
but that seems impossible" +"
Not to me-"
"Apropos of this inheritance OF
mine, I'll tell you what / am willing
to do, Mr.. Belgrave. I'll share il
with you"
He opened his eyes as if suspicious
his ears had played him false
"Are you seriousW
81 never was more so.n
"Ahl Conscience has begun to
prick you already"
"Not bit of it."
There was slight pause, and ther
he said, with an amused smile; "Anc
so you are anxious Roundwood shoulG
have master as well as a mistress p
"You know do not mean that"
returned, blushing and speaking quite
angrily. This inheritance more
than meets my luxurious notions
YOU have a sort of claim on i'll an
quite willing to make over the half tC
yOu. Indeed an idea of that sort has
been in my head all along"
This is Quixotic-
"No, it is making two people com
Portable and happy instead of only
one"
''But | refuse to be made comforta
bic aud happy at your expense. /
Madame Belgrave had wished me tt
have shared her property, she woult
have left some document expressing
her desire"
Perhaps there is viii that ha!
not come to light" said ! laughing
ly.
He gave a quick start and changed
color.
81 can't help thinking SO, but it i
delusive hope | fear.n
"You are entirely too anxious tC
consign me to obscurity aud schoo
keeping again."
"No, you should never go back t.
that drudgery, if"
He stopped suddenly. hesitated
moment, then held out his hand.
Really, l feel like an intrude
here, Miss Lane. I'd better sa,
good morning, and leave you, befor,
| am betrayed into any further folly.
He turned abruptly away. "Di'
you know there was a ghost at Round
wood ?" / called after him.
"No." looking back,
"They say Madame Belgrave-,
sure indication that she is displease,
with something ng-probably the unjus
disposition she made Of her property.
! An expression I utterly failed +
comprehend floated over his face.
"Yrou have no occasion to be trout
led on that score, be answered an,
went his way.
! watched him until the winding
of the road hid his tall, stalwart fig
ure entirely from view, and then re
turned to the house in a refectiv
mood
"Aunt Jerusha," l said abrubtly
a am going to sleep in the haunte,
room tonight"
She stared at me utterly aghast.
"You foolish child, you would no
dare"
"Haye the room thoroughly aire'
and made comfortable" interrupted
in the brusque. decided tone of on
who doesn't wish TO enter into any ar
gument. 81 shall occupy the apart
ment tonight, so the least said abou
the matter the better"
Occupy it did-at least for sea
son-taking up the line Of marcI
about eleven O'Clock.
Aunt Jerusha followed me TO th
door and tbeae said goodbye, wit
face as solemn and tone as lugu
brious as though | were about to b
hung.
Scream if you are frightened
Madelon, and we viii all hasten Il
your assistance, | hope you won
be raving maniac in the morning
have heard of such things.n
/ "I'd rather be a raving mania
than fool,p was my impatient re
ljoinder
| Madame Belgraves's room-as W
called twas q large chamber o
the second floor. The furniture wa
quaint and old fashioned, of som
dark foreign wood, with immens
carved feet that looked very odd an
ridiculous to my new fashioned eyel
| The walls were of oak, thickly paI
eled, and over the carved chime
piece was raised 6gure-tipical {