The Democratic advocate., 1874-05-02

only have the prayer.book."
| The notary, who seemed scarcely able
to contain his indignation, interrupted the
tittering "What lot do you choose, mad.
anne, said he.
"The eight thousand pounds"
"You are determined on that?'
"Most undoubtedly
Madame MOranville, you are rich, and
your cousin is very, very poor; cannot you
leave this lot and take the prayer-book
that this'-he seemed for moment at a
loss for an expression--''this strange will
has put in the balance with the other lots?"
"Arc you joking, Monsieur Dubois ?''
cried Madame Moranville; "or don't you
see that my honored cousin has made her
will in the express intention that the
prayer-book should fall to Marie who was
to have the last choice ?"
"And what do you conclude from that2"
81 conclude that she desired her niece
should understand that prayer and repen.
tance were the only sue cors she ought to
expect in this life. All, she was saint,
that dear woman r.
"Saint, quothar cried the notary, in-
dignantly, "may heaven defend me from
such saints An unforgiving, unnatural
woman. | am wrong, / do her an injus-
tice. Her intention, l am sure, was to
give you and Monsieur D'Arlemont an
opportunity of doing good, a noble ac-
ton, by dividing the property equally with
her poor niece.
Monsieur D'Arlemont will do as he
pleases; | repeat that my choice is made. "
"And 50 is mine, said D'Arlemont; 81
shall take the chateau and all il contains. -
pause one moment, Monsieur D'Arle-
mont" cried the notary. even if it
was the intention Of the deceased to pun
ish her niece ought you millionaire, to
take advantage of her unchristian conduct
to leave one Of your own family languish
ing in poverty? win you not at least
give up part of your lot, even small part
to this poor widow p
MANY thanks for your kind advice, my
dear Dubois, said D'Arlemont sneeringly;
"the chateau is close to one of my estates,
and will suit me admirably-particularly
as it is furnished. As for the family Jew
els, it is impossible for me to think of
parting with them"
"In that case" said the notary, ad.
dressing Marie, II can only give you, my
poor Madame LePevre, the prayer-book. -
She took the book, and pressing it to
her lips, held it to her son, who cried out
with childish delight at the sight of its
riehly-gilt cover, "0h, mamma, let me
have il =
"Yes, my boy, you shall have it; it will
be the only legacy l can leave you. But
never, never will part with it. I thank
heaven she has pardoned me She has
said it, and | know that she was truth
itselfr'
The notary turned away his head.
Don't go, Madame LeFevre," j" said he,
81 must speak to you by and by"
At that moment the boy, in playing
with the book, unclasped it, and cried out,
"0h, mamma, look at the pretty pictures
But why are they covered over with this
nice thin paper?"
at is to keep them from being soiled.
"But why put six papers to every pic
ture ?"
His mother looked-she uttered pierre
ing cry, and fell, fainting, in the arms of
Monsieur Dubois, who said to those pres
ent, ''Let her alone, ii is nothing; she will
not die this time. Give me that book,
child, you may do mischief to it,"
The two rich legatees went away, CON-
menting not very charitably on Marie's
swoon and the evident interest the notary
took in her.
About month afterwards they met
Madame LeFevrc and her son, both we'll
dressed, riding in pretty carriage, with
two horses. This unexpected sight led
them to make enquiry after her, and they
found that she had purchased handsome
house and was living in quiet, but very
good style. Thunderstruck at this intelli.
gence, they went together to question the
notary. They found him ut his desk.
"Do we interrupt you ?" said the lady.
II am not particularly busy; only max
ing out an account of bank stock | have
just purchased for Madame LeFcvre."
And for heavens sake where does it
come from?"
"Why, don't you know?'
"No; how should I?r
did you not see what was in the book
when she tainted r.
"No."
swell, then, must tell you that the
prayer-bcok contained sixty engravings,
and that each was covered with six bank
notes of fifty pounds each''
"Good heavens r cried the gentleman.
"0h, If had but known r said the
lady.
"You had each choice, . said the no
tary; "and | tried all could to prevail
upon you both to take the prayer-book,
but in vain"
''But who could expect to find for
tune in prayer-book ?"
SIT is easily explained; it's owner had
suffered great distress in the emigration
to England she always lived in fear of
being obliged to fly second time, aud as