Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-06-06
Stltttta Storp.
JEROME DURVAGNE'S GOLD
BIT ANNA SHIELDS.

Mrs. Durvsgne's lawyer had read her
last will and testament TO circle OF relc-
,ives decorouSly attentive. and folded the
document with more precision than was
strictly necessary. and amidst q most
profound silence. Many glances. some
opeO, some iurtive. were given to .
young man in deep mourning, who sat
al the table where the lawyer folded his
papers, young man, nearing thirty.
with strong. good face, full OF earnest
purpose, but al that moment clouded by
heavy sorrow. There was no resentment
there. but a profound surprise as he
listened TO The steady voice of The law
yer. one Abraham Hill, sn elderly
digni6ed man. who avoided the eyes the
other bent lull upon him as he read.
After some moments OF deep silence.
there was stir aud rustic, as one alter
another Of the relatives and friends moved
to depart Howard Leslie. the young man
already mentioned. rose as this move
ment began. and courteously took leave
OF bis guests. each one bidding him 3
special farewell When every one else
had departed. Mr.. Hill. drawing his
chair again 10 the table. said:
The will is public property. Mr..
Leslie All who were interested in It
have heard il. For you l have some
thing more
What more did my aunt possess than
she disposed of in the paper you have
iusl read
HIN. YES, l did not refer to property.
C,mr. ieel tor you. DO indeed! | told
Mr.. Durvague it was hard tor you. after
reiag So long considered her heir. But
she bad her reasons. and she assured NE
bat they would satisfy YOU"
.She had perfect right To dispose OF
her property as pleased her best"
Surely But vet it disaPpoiDIs you "
Howard Leslie looked at the old gen
tieman who had been bis lite long
friend. and with a sudden burst oi frank
ress. ssid;
Il, cuts me TO the heart. Not the
loss OF The money. lor am not pauper.
as YOU know. but the want Of love which
,ha, will seems to imply"
That is Just it. And because your
auDt knew you would ieel just So she
left letter for you, TO be given you at
this time. When you read that, and
understand her motive in willing the
estate as she she has done, you will not
doubt her love at least Shall see you
ic-morrow y
YES. will call at the office. "
Here is the letter. Good morning.
Howard Leslie waited upon his old
friend to the door. and returning alone
to the sitting room, mused long over the
sealed letter before opening il. lie had
been so deeply panied. so utterly as
,onnded at his Aunt's will, that be could
not even yet open the letter that was 10
explain it.
The las. fifteen years he had been MIS-
Duryagne's constant companion her
adopted son, filling the place OF ionr
children she had lost after they had
reached years OF maturity. de had
known her as q womsn advanced IN hie'
weishe down by some burden of heavy
g,isf lsyishing sums that were very
large in deeds of charity. while living
with the utmost simplicity. tie had
hsan we'll educated at her expense, nad
learned the profession Of law, studying
with MIR. Hill, AID bad never been IN
dul0ed in exlravsgant desires. But ne
had expected to be left heir TO the great
ussltb Jerome Durvagne bad lelt IN his
uidous uncontrolled possession. ana
b.boldi be was heir to bis aunis house
and twenty thousand dollars, while her
entire property beside vas TO be deVoteu
10 the loundiDg OF home tor The cni--
drsp Of druukards, and he was 'oe
,rps,ee 10 see it conscientionsly applied
He D ndered long before ne opened
his Letter. aid when. at last, De 'ooA IL
from The envelope, i, was with a heavy
s;ob Bp, IS be read. the heavy cloud
i,ted Itself gradually from his face and
a.. he folded it again all the brightness
,s,nraI 10 bis expression had returned