The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-08-01

hence the reader may Judge what her feel.
ngs must have been when the conditions of
the will became known to her.
When the inseparable barrier arose be-
tween them she first acknowledged to her.
self that Henri Durand was very dear to
her
What were the young clerks thoughts
when he saw how matters had gone
AT first he became indignant, after which
he gave way to despair.
Then he resolved to persuade Adele to re-
nounce her miserly uncle's wealth, and wed
the one of her choice, although his whole
possessions amounted to but paltry thou
sand or two of francs.
After he had disposed of this mentally
only there came wiser thoughts; he had not
ascertained whether the young girl thought
sufficiently well of him, did he ask her, to
have him He smiled as it occurred to him
that like Clio oster, he shared his spoils be.
fore the field was won =
But he would soon arrange that. He be-
lieved that he was not distasteful to her and
he knew that he adored her.
But dispair came into his heart tenfold,
when he learned that the hunchback had left
property and gold to the amount of fifty
thousand francs, besides bank shares to a
like amount.
She will never sacrifice such fortune for
a notary's clerk, thought he, and he became
in consequence quite melancholy.
Although she was now an inmate of the
same house, and they had frequent social
intercourse, they seemed, as if by mutual
consent, 10 keep aloof from each other as
much as possible without committing a
breach of politeness.
In word, they were both unhappy, and
both for precisely the same reason.
Rabois was a shrewd man, and possessed
keen perception. He OWNED how matters
stood between the young people, and pitied
both, for he could, as yet, see no possible
remedy in their peculiar case. The girl
would lose fine fortune unless she obeyed
her uncles behests and married a hunch-
back.
Whether she would defy her dead uncle
and marry to suit herself he could not say,
but he meant to advise her. He would
clearly present to her the advantages of the
case. So with this praseworthy intention
uppermost in his mind, he summoned the
young girl to his library one day to discuss
the matter in all its details.
When she was seated he at once entered
upon the subject, and said
'Mademoselle Desmoine, l have sent for
you in order to have some conversation with
you in reference to your inheritance.
Il beg your pardon, Moisieur Rabois,' re.
piled she, smiling family but 1 was not
aware that possessed such thing
We'll, tits all the same returned he, also
smiling, and pleased to see that she regarded
it in that light. 1T is yours or it is not,
Just as you choose to decide. However. we
will let that pass, and at once plunge into
the business. You perfectly understand the
conditions of your late uncle's will p
Perfectly
And the alternative if you refuse to abide
by them {?
q do
Very well,' continued the notary, Il shall
not ask you whether you have already made
choice calculated to set your relatives
wishes at defiance, but ask, have you yet
decided how you will act in the matter p
i shall endeavor to obey my uncle's be.
hests-in fact, I promised as much to him
on his death-bed. And, though / shall al.
ways maintain that he took unfair advantage
of me by appealing to my affection for him
shall obey him, though it be under pro.
test
very properly spoken, rejoined Rabois
then mentally: Poor Henri
You know, of course resumed he, 'tha
in the event of your refusing to obey tht
conditions there is a certain sum to you
credit in my hand, which / shall place a
your disposal when you become of age.
Il do was the quiet reply,
This sum have placed out at interest il
your name, and should you decide adversel.
by the time your probation expires, thi
money will at least keep you above want
The lady bowed, and the notary con
tinued
The most Objectionable feature of thi
will is, that in case of your renouncing thi
fair inheritance, it will go towards founding
home for hunchbacks.'
But my uncles wishes must be obeyed a
all hazards, remarked Adele, fixing her eye
on those of her guardian.
I'VE must endeavor to do So was tn
rather equivocal response.
The lady started perceptibly. Did tn
words of the notary strike chord in he
own breasts.
They sat gazing at each other for mo
ment, when the lady averted her eyes an
colored deeply.
A peculiar smile fitted across his solemn
features, but it vanished in an instant.
Henri's case may not be so hopeless, af;e
ALL was his mental observation.
Mademoiselle, you have my sympathy i
this awkward and trying dilemma, said he
but if can be OF any service to you In tn
matter, command me at any time. sha
endeavor to be worthy of the trust the de
ceased has honored me with, and believe m
when say that to the fullest extent of m
power will assist you, no matter what you
decision may be-,
The lady thanked him warmly and the il
terview ended
A month or two had passed, and one da
Adele received letter from her brother. II
was about returning to France. He had bee
in Australia and had accumulated quite
snug little fortune. He enjoined her not [
tell any one of his fortune he wished I
see how his acquaintance would receive hil
as poor sailor. In her implicit trust in ht
guardian she made him acquainted with Ii
substance of this letter.
Good cried the worthy notary, gleefull