River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-03-27
BY INHERITANCE.
RY SIDNEY THORNE.

the outof-the-way country village, and
must have been that my visits had please
her. Al any rate, ia the letter now held, sh
wrote:
"Ify Dedi. Herbert II haven much to leave
an my annuity dies with mt; bat my huus
and furniture, such as it is, wish you L
have. or all NV nephews, you have been tn
only one who has seemed to care Tor me, am
I wish nv possessions were more ya!uabl
for yOur sake You are at liberty To sell tn
house, If YOU wish and all it contains, except
ing one thing, and that is the picture OF m,
grandmother, which was left TO me III ne
will. That | have always valued, and Woui'
like YOU to value it also, for my sake"
This was part Of the letter handed to me ,.
the LAWYER, when | came to my aunts on re
ceiving news of her death.
had entered into my inheritance, but al
Aunt Susan had said, there was eertainl.
nothing of much value. Tho house was OH
and rckety, and the furniture in the las
stages Of wear. Before the picture in the sit
ting-room paused. 1t was, as | remember
ed it before Il full-length portrait OF a verl
handsome woman, with q dark, naughty
beauty. dressed in a rich old-tlme cuStome o
velvet and lace, and with diamonds around
her white neck and wrists
Leaving things in old Margery's charge,
went back to my Office in the city. There
found little note on my desk, inviting me
the following week TO "Cragghead," Mr.
must now describe the girl whom for {
wear | had loved to distraction Though as
felt) hopelessly. AdTjeRne Roscoe was true
type OF an American girl; tall aud slender Lei
figure possessed that dignited grace which
distinguishes our cOuntrywomen, with face
fair, proud, d licate. sweet intellgent-al
these adieCtives are none too many TO DO II
Justice [ had become acquainted with hel
father during one OF my business trips, ano
had afterward been favored with an Introduc-
ton to his daughter. Mr.. Roscoe was sell
made man. one to whom the "chIuk, chink
chink" Of gold was sweeter than any sound
beside as one could easily see. had IN some
way found favor in his eyes, and he had asked
me to his house, apparently never fearing III
the slightest that the poor struggling lawyer
could dare to look up to his Incompatible
daughter. Indeed, he had once told me- III
confidence, "Adrcnne is a beauty, and in
tend her to make fine match"
took the day boat, and arrived at "Cragg
headn late in the afternoon. / he party was
at its full l. light, and, after making myself
preseutable, | sauntered down 10 find my host
and his daughter.
Such q cordial grasp OF the hand l had sci
dom seen Mr.. Roscoe bestOw, and then, after
conversing a few moments. he said, it seemed
to me in a very significant tone. Have you
seen Adricnne yet%
Just then she came toward us. had never
shown by word or look my daring love; bu
as she approached in an ethereal costume
(Which surely could have been fashioned by
none but fairy iingers), stood rooted to Inc
spot every motion merged Into ore wild wish
to then and there throw myself at her feet
and declare my love.
Bat of course ali did was TO take the sweet
hal SO frankly extended, an. utter few
words of greeting. just then group OF gay
girls fitted toward us, calling "Adrienne.
and in their midst she was waited away.
Nv host and | wandered to grove near by
and under the shadow of an old elm we seated
ourselves Mr. Roscoe had always been polite
and courteous to me, hut to-day telt dlter-
ence I'm his manner, and by-and-by something
he said sent the blood bounding at feyer-heal
through my veins
LAYING his hand with the large solitaire on
th little finger confdentially on my arm, he
said:
"Herhert, think fathers eye cannot bt
mistaken Have | not seen for a long time
that you nave entertained for my daughter {
feeling warmer than mere friendship"
In surprise | looked into his face, and ther
with sudden wild hope at my heart as | saw
the bepignaut, kindly look with which he lie
garded me, told him all-how passlonetely
wOrshiped Adrenne, and that 1t was through
fear that, because Of my poverty, ] would bt
no fitting mate for her had not ventured L
declare nv feelings AS | spoke, rather
peculiar smile passed over his features, bu
it vanished quickly, and in the same kindly
tone he replied:
MIR. Isle YOU underrate yourself What il
money where the heart IS concerned?
So [ was free TO love, and if possible,
win the 'queeu-lady Of my dreams"
Not then, while my pulse thrObbcd so Wild
w. could trust myself TO express my eentl
ments in fitting words. Evening came
Surely such fairy scene never existed Oh
this prosaic globe before food OF golden
moonlight. galcd and put to shame the myriad
Of colored lights, which made the spacious
grounds as light as day.
The fair and young seemed fairer and
Younger i'm the magical radience which en-
haloed them. fountain flung its jewelled
spray high into the air; satiny roses and
stately lllies lifted their lovely heads, and
shining with q beauty far above all was the
queen Of the .ftte-Arienne.
II was long before my opportunity came
them with faltering words, all my fine rhet
Gricsl sentences forgotten. told my darling
what I felt she knew full well) that I loyeC
her, and that with her fathers fun consent
asked for her dear hand.
There were snowy flowers in her hair, ana
with the moons pale beams bathing In al
almost spiritual radence the white rob,
which fell softly ard clingingly about her
and disclosing the rapt glow in her sweet
fond eyes, il was no wonder that she seemes
to me, not mortal, but like unto thu
ngels.
The following day we parted, and Mr. Ros
his stylish dog-cart drawn by spirited team
of bays.
Truly, how different he is" thought
from what have always judged him to be-
Come again soon, Herbert" Adrienne Ia,
whispered, as I pressed a kiss upon her Lowell
lips.
Ny Office seemed meaner aud duller thar
eve before when [ entered il, and, sittin!
down. tried to realize what a change ha'
come 80 my future within the last few hours
Thed settled down 70 business again. \
hanger-Ou upon a rich father-in-law would
he. and if meant to have a home and wifi,
must work.
The DAYS passed laggingly along, until tn
time came in which intend 10 visit "CragG
head" again. But that morning the postma
handed me a letter. large, cream-tintet
mouogramed envelope With my name-Hcl
bert Lisle--in bold hand. | opened an
resd Then how long | sat there IN the sam
position | know not but when l came BAG
10 myself, and CHANGED TO glance up in
dingy little glass hanging over my desk,
vaguely wondered if thsJ pale, drawn fac
could be my Own.
Il was deceived" the letter rar, ~and N
daughter was too. We heard q an inheri
suce left TO you by a deceased aunt and ha'
only just ascertajntd its amo-Int. II IA out
the question that Adriennc should marry
poor man" and SO forth
Il was deceived, and m daughter was too
Could il be that Adriennt was merCenary?
sudden fury I east the crIel letter from m
Then mans hard, bilt tears rose to II
ewes, aud leaning my aead ~ my desk
fought them back 4 gentle football can
up the stairs, through he narrow hall. al
paused At my Coor. Some enc tapped.
Il am engaged" | { led, in voice | tri'
in vain 70 render cain, but the door opene
and there. enveiopea n a dark mantle, with
veil covering her face was a slight figure.
IL was Adrieune. She flung back her Vt
aud sprang 70 my Size.
Herbert, my love I have come to 70
What care I for riehes2 Make me your wi
nowi for then nothing can part US -
! Ciasped her COnvulsively 10 me; ye kiss
each other, and then holding her away, l loo
ed into her fearful eyes.
"Adrienne," said, solemnly, ''do you re;
ize that you will leave life OF luxury to be
poor mans wifeg'
Il have made up my mind" she answert
resOluteIy. at IS the only thing l can {
Ny father declares that IN weeks time
will expect me 10 marry one he had chOs
for me before ne formed such mistaken id
OF the extent OF your inheritance"
We left the dingy httle Office, aud in Il
than an hours time We were msn and wife
Adrienne wrote 70 her father, telling him