Daily globe., 1879-03-23
MY INHERITANCE.
BY SIDNEY THORNE,


So Aunt Susan had left me heir of her little
all. had often been to the small house in
the tof-the-way country village, and it
must have been that my visits had pleased
her. At any rate, in the letter Inow held, she
wrote:
"My Dear Herbert:-I haven'tmuch to leave,
an my annuity dies with me; but my house
and furniture, such as it is, l wish you to
have. Vi all my nephews, you have been the
only one who has seemed to care for me, and
| wish my possessions were more valuable
for your sake. You are at liberty to sell the
house, if you wish, and all it contains, except
ing one thing, and that is the picture of my
grandmother, which was left to me in her
like you to value it also, for my sake"
This was part of the letter handed to me by
the lawyer, when l came to my aunts on re-
ceiving news of her death.
had entered into my inheritance, but, as
Aunt Susan had said, there was certainly
nothing OF much value. The house was old
and rickety, and the furniture in the last
stages of wear. Before the picture in the sit
ting groom paused It was, as I remember
ed it before, full-length portrait of very
handsome woman, with dark, naughty
beauty, dressed in rich old-time custo:re Of
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 l
found little note on my desk, inviting me
the following week to "Cragghead," Mr..
Roscoe's country-seat, to attend garden
party.
I must now describe the girl whom for a
felt) hopelessly. Adrienne Roscoe was true
type of an American girl; tall and slender, Ler
figure possessed that dignifed grace which
distinguishes our cOuntrywOmen, with face
fair, proud, licate. sweet, intelligent-all
these adjectives are none too many to do it
justice. had become acquainted with her
father during one of my business trips, and
had afterward been favored with an introduc
tion to his daughter. Mr.. Roscoe was self
made man, one to whom the "chink, 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 in
could dare to look up to his incompatible
daughter. Indeed, he had once told me in
confidence, "Adrienne is a beauty, and in
tend her to make fine match"
took the day boat, and arrived at "Cragg-
head" late in the afternoon. The party was
presentable, sauntered down to find my host
and his daughter.
Such a cordial grasp of the hand had sell
dom seen MIR. Roscoe bestow, and then, after
conversing few moments. he said, it seemed
to me in very significant tone. "Have you
seen Adrienne yet"
Just then she came toward us. l had never
shown by word or look my daring love; but
as she approached in an ethereal costume
(which surely could have been fashioned by
none but fairy fngersl, stood rooted to the
spot, every motion merged into one wild wish
to then and there throw myself at her feet
and declare my love.
P,1f0 0f Oil +o{ {o1po IL
hand so frankly extended anc utter few
words of greeting. just then group OF gay
girls fitted toward HIS, calling "Adrienne ~
and in their midst she was waited away.
My host and wandered to a grove near bv,
and under the shadow of an old elm we seated
and courteous to me, but to-day felt differ
ence in his manner, and by -and-by something 2
he said sent the blood bounding at fever-heat
through my veins.
Laying his hand with the large solitaire on
the little fnger) confidentially on my arm, he
said:
"Herbert, think fathers eye cannot be
| feeling warmer than mere friendship?''
In surprise looked into his face, and then
with sudden wild hope at my heart as saw
the bepignant, kindly look with which he le.
garded me, told him all-how passionetely I
worshiped Adrienne, and that it was through
fear that because of my poverty, I would be
no fitting mate for her, had not yentured to
declare my feelings. AS I spoke, rather
peculiar smile passed over his features, but
it vanished quickly, and in the same kindly
tone he replied:
"Mr. Lisle, you underrate yourself. What is
money where the heart is concerned~
So was free to love, and if possible,
win the queen lady of my Dreams"
Not then, while my pulse throbbed so wild
ly, could trust myself to express my senti-
ments in fitting words. Evening came.
Surely such fairy scene never existed on
this prosaic globe before. A food Of golden
moonlight. ;,aled 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 in the magical radience which en-
haloed them. A fountain flung it's jewelled
spray high into the air; satiny roses and
stately lilies lifted their lovely heads, and
shining with beauty far above all was the
queen of the .fete-Arienne.
1t was long before my opportunity came;
then, with faltering words, all my fine rhet.