Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-09-12
ELEANOR HERBERT.
ny MRS. cAaoLISR oRSE.


the last day of October, the breeze
which was as:ir was mellow, almost
balmy, Jet there we're low, mournful
cadchces in its voice, as it shook the
sere leaves from the trees, and sent
them rustling along the path which
lay along the margin of the woods.
| "A young girl, who had for some
ten or iitteer minutes been lettering
along q lane which led TO forest.
stopping now and then to gather
some wild flower still unblighted by
the frost, turned aside ere she had
reached its termination, and ascend.
ed little sharp hill, crowned with a
single oak. From the summit Of this
eminence she could look down on q
largo old mansion house, of grey
stone, about quarter of mile dis.
tant. The central part of the struc-
ture, which was three stories high,
was fianked on either side by wings
of such altitude as to be in keeping
with the architectural proportions Of
the main building. The house itself
as well as all around, bad a home
like air, a look of comfort which
more than made up for any lack Of
| modern mbellishment.
The countenance Of the young girl
who stood on the little hill wore a
look of deep sadness, for as ST sup
posed, she was for the last time look
ing on q roof which had sheltered
her since early childhood. She WAS
not handsome; this her mirror told
her every morning, as she arranged
the rich, heavy braids Of her dark
hair. She might have been aware
that in her case it was no fatterer,
she had at times been permitted to
see the beautiful, almost glorious
transformation wrought on her fea-
lures, and indeed. throughout her
whole person, by the power of intel
| lecJ.
A she stood there on the brow of
the bill, leaning against the broad
spread oak, the sunshine simmering
through the boughs gave the rich
braids of her hair, arranged with SIM
pie grace, such a lustrous brightness
that at little distance golden ha-
10 seemed to be circling above her
white, still brow. At least, this was
the fanciful thought which present
ed itself to tho mind of a young man
who, without knowing that che was
there. had assembled the bill on the
opposite side. Though be took some
pains to make his footsteps heard as
he advanced towards her, she was
so wrapped in her own sad thoughts
that he failed in his purpose. She,
therefore, when he spoke, gave
sudden, nervous start.
This fne estate should be yours,
Miss Herbert said be, as if in ans
wer to what he imagined was pass
ing 10 her mind.
why so, Mr.Stafford ? she inquir-
ed, almost instantly recovering her
self-possession.
Because your late uncle intended
it should be yours. At least, SO it is
generally thought
He did intend it at one time, no
doubt
sFor my part believe there's q
will in your favor, somewhere in ex.
istence, unless there has been foul
play.
Il don't believe that my uncle ev-
er made will in my favor. If be
did, it was at very early period,
and am certain that he must have
subsequently, cancelled it.
'Artemus Carkley, the son of your
uncle's bali brother. is the heir-at-
law, | believe
He is
"A man, as every body knows he
heartily disliked.'
Il don't think he bore him any
good will, though why never exact
y understood
1T was because your uncle Her.
bert was an honest, upright man,
and Carkley is unworthy any good
mans regard
Il wish that Hollis had lived said
Eleanor Herbert, saud then this
Carkiey would have no claim to the
estate. You may have heard that
my uncle had an adopted son, who
died early
| Il have'
| sAnd you have also heard that
they parted, for the last time, in an.
ger, and that uncle Herbert told him
be should disinherit him.
| Yes
The threat which of course was
made under the influence of angry
excitement, was never carried into
effect. When news came that the
ship in which Hollis sailed was lost,
and that all on board bad persisted,
my uncle used sometimes, after
long fit OF abstraction, to speak up
suddenly and say, with q good deal
of emphasis, that Hollis was alive
and would some day return. This
impression was very strong, and
was, as believe, the true reason
| why he didn't revoke the will made
at an early period in favor Of his
adopted son.
You are certain that it remained
unrevoked at the time of your un-
cle's decease p said Stafford, speak.
ing quickly, and looking at her very
earnestly.
i am certain. Almost the last
thing my uncle ever said to mo was
to entrust it to my care, which he
!. did with an earnest solemnity which
/ shall never forget. /, in my turn,
have con6ded it to the care of Mr..
Goodwin. who can be trusted il any
one can
Had Eleauor's mind been less alb
sorbed by the subject on which she
was speaking, she would have scarce
failed to notice quick. though tran
sient Frightening of Stafford's coun.
tepsnco.
i Did you ever see him ? The adopt
ed son, lscs0,' saii he.
Il never did. He had been gone
several weeks when came 10 live
with my uncle. He was boy of
much promise, I've been told
"a little obstinate and self willed.