Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-03-03

Il suppose ought to congratulate you
Miss Lane, on your recent good fortune
Shall ?''
eff you do so sincerely-not otherwise.
He laughed.
''Then I'll keep my breath for other pur
poses"
''Shall you ever forgive me for having
supplanted you?"
81 don't know. My great expectations
have turned out nearly as delusive as thost
of poor Pip. I ought to hate you, Miss
Lane, but don't-quite.
"Thanks for the margin that saves me
from utter condemnation
81 can't help thinking" he went on, re-
flectively, "that Madame Belgrave meant
to restore me to favor finally, and that on.
ly opportunity was lacking. Proud and
obstinate as she was, Pm sure 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 ?"
'sI did not say 500 Again his eyes
swept my face curiously. "Is it in your
heart to be so generous ?"
I shook my head.
Remember, I've tasted the cup of pow
erty-and it is bitter to my palate. 1t
seems delightful to be rid of the toll and
anxiety attended on earning ones own liv-
ing don't think could take up the old
burden again.
Il knew you would like lotos-eating."
"Who doesn't, for that matter? Besides,
! it has all the zest of new sensation Just
now. 1 may tire of it-but that seems i'm
possible"
"Not to me-"
'Apropos of this inheritance of mine
I'll tell you what am willing to do. Mr..
Belgrave; I'll share it with YOU"
He opened wide his eyes, as if suspicious
his ears had played him false.
"Are you serious 20
81 never was more So"
''Ah conscience has begun to prick you
already"
"Not bit of it.''
! There was slight pause, and then he
said, with an amused smile
j"And so you are anxious Roundwood
should have master as well as a mis-
/ tress ?"
| "You know did not mean that" I re-
turned, blushing, and yet speaking quite
| angrily. "This inheritance more than
meets my luxurious notions-you have a
sort Of claim upon i'll am quite willing
to make over the half to you. Indeed, an
| idea of that sort has been in my head all
| along"
''This is .Quixotic.'
'No," stoutly sit IS making two peo-
pie happy and comfortable instead of one %
but I-refuse to be made happy and
comfortable at your expense. If Madame
Belgrave wished me to share her property,
she would have left some document ex-
pressing the desire"
perhaps there is will that has not
come to light" said I, laughing.
He gave start and changed color.
81 can't help thinking so; but it is a de-
lusive hope, I fear"
''Y ou are entirely too anxious to consign
emo; you should never 60 back to that
drudgery, if"
He stopped suddenly, hesitated mo-
ment, then held out his hand.
''Really, feel like an intruder here,
Miss Lane. I'll better say good morning
and leave you, before am betrayed into
any further folly.'
He turned abruptly away.
"Did you know there was ghost at
Roundwood ?" I called after him.
'sNo,'' looking back.
''They say Madame Belgrave walks-a
sure indication she is displeased with
something-probably the unjust DISPOSE
ton she made of 81 wealth."
| An expression I utterly failed to COM
prehend floated over his expressive face.
"You have no occasion to be troubled
on that score,' he answered, and went his
way.
watched him until windings of the
road hid his tall, stalwart figure entirely
from view, and then TUNED to the house,
in a reflective mood
"Aunt Jerusha," said I, abruptly, II am
/ going to sleep in the haunted room to-
night"
She stared at me aghast.
''You foolish child, you would never
dare-''
''Have the room thoroughly aired and
made comfortable interrupted, in the
brusque, decided tone of one who does not
wish to enter into any argument. II shall
occupy the apartment tonight, so the least
said about the matter the BETTER"
Occupy it I did-at least for season.
taking up the line of march about eleven
o'clock.
Aunt Jerusha followed me to the door,
and there said goodbye, with face as
solemn and a tone as lugubrious as though
I were about to be hung.
''Scream if you are frightened, Madelon,
and we will all hasten to your assistance.
I hope you won't be raving maniac in
the morning. have heard of such
things"
'sI'd rather be crazy than fool,'' was
my impatient rejoinder.
Madame Belgrave's room-as we called
twas large chamber on the second
floor.
The furniture was quaint and old fash
Toned, Of some dark foreign wood, with
immense carved feet that looked very ode
and ridiculous to my new fashioned eyes,
The walls were of oak, thickly paneled
and over the carved chimney-piece was
raised figure-typical Of heaven only knows
what-with diminutive shield extended
in one hand.
i had barely glanced round at my quar-