Ellsworth American., 1874-08-13

me as if l had soul, bequath to her
the property which it has taken me a
life time TO gather, and may heaven
bless her in its possession"
All the villagers were Jealous of Miss
Esterly, and all thought she had been
very well repaid for few kind words
and bunch of fpansies. But no one
could dispute old Hallowell's right to
do as he chose with his own; aud so
the poor school-mistress passed peace
ably into possession.
Miss Esterly was an orphan. twenty
three years of age, tall and fine-look-
| ing, and with more character than is
| generally given to one individual.
Now that she had the power, she as
serted herself grandly.
The Hallowell home place was put
under series of valuable improve
ments, which soon changed its entire
aspect. Decaying trees were cut
down. fresh young ones were planted,
a spacious flower garden. with extern
sive graperies and greenhouses. flour
ished where had been only a stretch
of dismal heath the stock in the stable
was overhauled, and great changes
made, and Hallowell House was re-
built and remodelled uatil it was the
finest residence in the country round.
Miss Esterly kept the old servants,
who shortly learned to adore her, but
she added new ones TO the mendge,
and entertained the visitors, who hast
ened 10 honor her, in gracious and lib
eral style.
As matter of course the mistress
OF llallowell House was not long want
ing for lovers; they came thick and
fast. some few, perhaps. attracted by
her beauty and grace, but most of them
keen on the scent after old Hallowell's
gold.
But Marian Esterly had sense as
well as good looks, and she was not
deceived by their pretensions.
She remembered the time when the
poor schooimistress might have sat
evening after evening at parties and
social gatherings, unnoticed and neg
lected by all those obstquious fine
gentlemen who now professed to be 50
deeply in love with her; and SO she
treated them all with GOODNESS which
drove them 10 the verge oil distraction.
She had been just a year mistress
of Hallowell when one day old Gilbert
came 10 her with troubled face, and
asked an audience.
She bade him sit down, and speak
without restraint, but the old man
made blundcring work of it. Marian
had 10 question and encourage him
constantly, but at last his story was
told. In effect it was this.
When Estella Hallowell had died
years and years before, in an obscure
Scottish viil.gc, she had lcti son
George HaliowelPs child, born three
months after separation from hm.
This son had hated his father for the
wrongs he had felt inflicted upon r..
Ielle, anu uau nc'yi made himself
known 10 him and Mr.. Hallowell had
lived and died unconscious of the fact
that he was 4 father.
This son had died two months pre-
vious, leaving one son behind him
George Hallowell's grandson and heir
at-law.
Clement Hallowell-that vas the
young mans name-was now clerk
in bank in London, on salary OF
one hundred and fifty pounds year,
all unconscious of the fact that by
right of kin, he was the heir 10 one
hundred thousand pounds.
These facts old Gilbert had just
learned through friend of Estelle's-
an old man who had strolled to the
village, picking up living by strum-
ming on an ancient harp, and singing
4 few old ballads, He has been play
er in company with Estelles father,
and always, so to speak, had kept on
track of the family.
Some women would have doubted
the old stroler's story but Miss Esterly
did not. She saw him herself, and got
Out of him every minute particular.
Old Gilbert was greatly distressed.
Il thought it my duty TO tell you,
anna" he said To Marian. but III
rather have cut my head Off. | said to
Polly. said l At seems a wicked
burning shame TO 90 and disturb the
dear young lady's peace now that ev-
erything is flowing on so beautiful"
And said Polly TO me "Gilbert, al
ways do your duty, man, and you'll be
happy"
You did perfectly right to tell me,
Gilbert said Miss Esterly, kindly,
Il should have been very sorry if you
had not. There has been a great wrong
done. Thank Heaven, it is in my pow
er TO right it"
"What will you do, ma'ma:" asked
the man, though from his knowledge
of Miss Esterly's character. it was not
difficult for him to guess.
Never you mind, Gilbert" said
she 81 will do what is right
So she made contidant Of LAWYER
Secors, and caused him to set on foot
inquiries relative TO young Clement
Hallowell. The information which he
gathered settled the fact, beyond the
shadow of doubt, that he was George
HallowelPs grandson, and also that he
was young man who had led a noble,
irreproachable life, and, though very
poor, he was respected and esteemed
by all with whom he had come in con-
tact.
Then Miss Esterly caused convey
ance of the Hallowell estate to be
drawn up, aud by it she gave every
| thing into the possession O: the heir-at
law. Her commands, that he should
come at once and attend to his inher-
itance we're imperative; but it was
some time before Clement Hallowell
conld be induced to take advantage of
his good fortune.
1t was not until after Miss Esterly
had delivered everything into the hands
of Lawyer SecOrs as agent, and her.
self left for distant town, where a