The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-08-13


He was trembling.
~Shall We 20 10 her - asked the
Young man, softly.
Grandfather Abney nodded.
They Enclosed the door, and enter
ed the opposite room
"Grant me wisdom" prayed the
old msn, catching at caution.
But when they had crossed the
apartment, and Toinette bad lifted
her sweet eyes to his face. be then
said
my dear, l am you uncle. Come
home with me-"
SO be took pretty Toinette to Lake
home.
The others dared not show much
anger. OF course they hated her.
Grandfather Abney gave up bis
iressing-room for her studio. He
walked and rode with her, introduc
ing her to many influential and
wealthy people, visited private pic.
ture galleries, and obtained for bel
chances to onver with leading ar
fists.
The latter praised her cameos and
wood carvings. They said that bel
natural talent was exceedingly great
They asked for leave, TOO, to mode
her head and paint her face for she
was strangely lovely.
1t grAti6ed her uncle that she 70
vored only the Abneys. The silken
braids were raven black, the features
perfect as those she cut on her cam
eos, the eyes dark, but not like Bren'
da's and Bertha's. They were soft
as q doves, and had something pa
thetic in their mute glance.
The girl was very quiet and un,
demonstrative, except in reference tc
her art. You could see that she
loved that, and was very faithful to
it.
In the household she was utterly
harmless, yet her mere presence no
less exasperated her uncongenial cou'
sins. She saw as little of them as
possible, remaining a. busy as a bee
in her studio, except when she was
walking and riding with grandfather
Abney.
1t had occurred to the latter thai
voung Ignace Denonville might be g
lover of Toinette's, but be never
came to Lakehome, and month aftel
month went by with but little change
except that Toinette had almost dai
ly orders DOW for her beautiful cut
tings and carvings.
But suddenly, one day, Toinettt
was gone.
The cousins were delighted. They
thought they had driven her away
Their grandfather would have beer
Observation-Disclosures and angry q
the desertion, perhaps-but for a let
ter arriving by mail, almost before
the girl was missed:
"MY COOP UNcLE:-You are
beautiful and kind old man, and yov
have been kind, most kind, and help
full to me I; but I could no longer re
main away from Ignace. Oh, thos'
long days and weeks My heart 81
cried out for him, l thought it woult
break. You look upon US only Al
children, dear uncle, yet we had beef
married q month when you came q
find me. 1t was not my plan, beg
ging your sssistance-it vas lg
nace's. he praised my carvings, ant
grieved that l could not sell them
II the world but knew me to be you
niece, they would buy. he said. S
he prevailed on me.
1--WE kept our secret, for he feare'
you would not like him. / appre
hended, sometimes, that he woul'
never come to me again !; and, OF
uncle, / had rather stsrve with Ie
mace than live without him! But d
lot fear; l have money now, and ca
sell my canoes, thanks to you. Yo
will not blame me that l wished t
share with Ignace. He paints prett
pictures, but so few come TO buy
Yet he would take nothing. He ]
not selfish lie thinks not of himsel
but me.
Farewell, uncle / love you, bu
/ love Ignace better. He was n.
friend when / had no other. If 20
should be sad or i'll, send for Toinettt
otherwise, ] remain in my little room
with Ignace, happy"
Grandfather Abney learned thi
a~rtless letter by heart, but the other
of the household never knew that b
received it.
1t was not many months after tina
without one word or warning, b
died in his chair. Probably his diI
ease was of the heart. But be pas
ed away psinlessly and silently.
The lawyer told Brenda that Toll
cite must be summoned to hear tb
will read.
Then he has remembered Der
snapped Brenda.
She came unwillingly, fearful,
clinging to the arm Of her boy-huI
band.
"a pair of Babes in the Wood
sneered the cousins.
The will was read:
"All bank stock bearing my nam
l leave to my grandson Pau.
"All real estate found unincumbel
ed l leave to my granddaughter Be-
tina, except
1.-THE old homestead, Lakehom'
which l ~boqueath to my granddaugl
ter Brenda, when its mortgages sna
have been paid.
ITO nv niece, Toinette Denonvill
l leave my ebony cane and my bles
ing"
Only the old ebony a n for Toll
cite! She received it with pleasur
1t had accompanied her uncle in th
long walks they had taken so ofte
together.
But Ignace was saddened. He ha
hoped grandfather Abney would hay
left his pretty niece some money, {
that they two could 60 to Rome an
study. He told Toinette so.
A tear stole down her cheek.
IL suppose / did not win his heart,