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

in my bosom. | became miser. Years
passed and saved every sou that was not
required for my sustenance. / became
wealthy by degrees, and now, after forty
years of privation, | am a rich man-rich
beyond your widest imagination =
The young girl gazed at him in terror
she believed him to be mad. Casting her
eyes about the room and seeing the wretch
edness of its appointments, then remember.
ing their manner of living, the frugal meals,
insufficient shelter and raiment, she could
not consistently reconcile it with the riches
he raved about.
There was but this conclusion she could
arrive at: Her dying uncle was mad |
'Oh uncle cried she, as she buried her
weeping face in the bedclothes, do not speak
thus, you pain me. Compose yourself and
endeavor to direct your thoughts to heav-
en-
a sickly smile rested for brief moment
on his lips then he said
You think | am raving, my poor inno-
cent child. speak only the truth, as you
will find when the notary arrives. But time
flies, and have not yet done. In the will
| shall make | leave all to my niece Adele
Desmoine, on one condition.
Here he regarded her fxedly.
Speak said Shea underlined fear taking
possession of her.
| You must marry a man deformed like
myself said he in a cold, hard tone
The girl shuddered invountariy, and
well she might-her uncle was a hideous
hunchback
A painful pause followed The miser had
noticed her gesture of adherence and he
became If possible more firm in his resolu-
ton.
You hear me, child p asked he.
Yes, uncle, was the faint response.
You love meT queried he.
you know l do replied she, lifting her
fearful face to his. You never doubted it.
did you p
No. replied he, absently. You gave me
every proof of yonr affection when YOU
deemed me poor, so do not deny me now.
ask this for your own benefit If you mar
ried young spendtErift he would soon
waste the wealth | so carefully boarded, and
when that was gone he would probably de-
sert you. But one who lacked the personal
charms of manhood like myself would have
no inducement held out to him to enter a
career of frivolity and dissipation but
would cherish you and your Inheritance
'Aln at liberty to choose for myself, or
have you already selected husband p asked
Adele as ray of hope dawned in the ho-
rlzon of her future
Il shall leave you free to choose for your
self, replied he 'but remember ne must be
deformed as | am and of respectable con-
nections otherwise, shall not dictate to
you, but leave you free to your choice in
every other respsct.
4 PROMISE said she quietly.
'Tis WELL was his rejoiner. Now I shall
leave this world in peace and leave you my
wealth and my blessing
The notary arrived, the will was drawn
up and witnessed by neighbor and clerk
who had accompanied the notary. Rabos
was appointed her guardian until she be-
came of age and married She had the
choice left her to marry before her majority
were she so inclined, for she was then of a
suitable age. But Rabois was enjoined to
see that she married only a hunchback, and
one of respectable parentage.
The document was signed by the witness
ses, the clerk being the last to fix his sigma
ture. AS he took up the pen he glanced
furtively at Adele; their eyes met, she
blushed and averted her gaze. He place d
his signature beneath that of the other wit
nesses and took seat away from the ta-
ble
Rabois folded the parchment, placed it in
an inner pocket, then advancing to the bed
side, asked
:. Can do anything else for you Jerome {?
No, Jean, was the reply; but when
am at rest you will see to everything as
have instructed you
you may depend on me- was the rejon.
der.
When the dying man was alone with the
girl he bade her call the woman whom he
had hired as housekeeper since his illness.
The woman, pleasant-faced one, took
her seat beside Adele, near the bed and the
dying man closed his eyes as if weary.
He slept an hour or more, when suddenly
the young girl felt his clasp tighten over hel
hand.
Quickly looking at his face she saw that 8
great change had taken place.
The miser was dying, He stared at hel
for moment, then in a loud whisper
said.
Remember your promise 7
The next moment his hand dropped
from the clasp of his niece, and he wa
dead.
The grief of Adele was sincere, and Mad
anne Poyntin, the housekeeper, pressed he
to her motherly bosom, and soothed her as {
mother might grieved child.
After she was more composed, she wrott
note to the notary and posted it, theI
awaited his arrival
Rabois arrived and rendered his sympa
thies to the now friendless girl and informed
her that she was to take up her residenc
with him Immediately after the funeral rite
/ were over.
, He then set about making all the neces
sary arrangements for the last sad offices 70
. his late friend.
He bade Madame Poyntn prepare tn
body for the shroud, saying his clerk woul
) soon be there with the undertaken, who, il
e fact, arrived soon after.
Then with the assistance of the clerk h
sealed all the effects of the dead man, afte
: which he sat down and copied some note
from book he took from his pocket.
This done, he bade Adele good day, say
ing he would return in the course OF tn
day and perform such Offices as she nigh
= require.