Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1879-12-25

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time went on / thought that my conduc
would diminish his resentment: but il
wrs a vain hope. He has died. tel
you, and not left me one single far
thing!"
Ralph spoke with so much bitterness
and fury that Mr.. Bowles began to fee
somewhat alarmed.
calm yourself, my dear SIR" ht
said, in most persuasive tones. "Calm
yourself, and listen to me. 1t is natura
that under the circumstances you
should feel good deal annoyed"
Annoyedr" echoed Ralph. tel
you that / am almost penniless, and
heavy in debt, and yet in the face of all
this you wish me a happy New Yearr
II do wish it, Mr.. Grantley, in spite
OF the difficulties OF your position
though when uttered the syords little
thought what storm [ was about to
bring down upon myself"
Pardon mel" said Ralph, 81 am
half mad, think! Tell me your bust
ness and begone!'
lone moment" said the lawyer
You think i come on behalf of your
creditorsP"
Undoubtedly"
That, then, is a mistake of yours
| am here about money it is true, but
it is for the purpose of paying-not re-
ccivingm go =
Ralph. looked at him in amazement.
You are surprised, no doubt-but
listen: AS you have correctly enough
stated, your lately deceased and much
lamented grandparent bequeathed the
whole of his property, real and per-
sonal, to his sisters granddaughter,
Miss Evelyn Donington"
| did not know the name, nor did
wish. What has it to do with me,
lMr.-a-a-?"
Bowles."
"Mr. Bowles, then, / ask what has
this to do with me?"
You will know directly. 1t is
roughly estimated that the whole of the
property left by the deceased would
realize in round numbers a hundred
thousand pounds. 1t appears that you
and Miss bennington are the only sur
viving relatives-no one else has any
claim. Miss Donington-who is,
should tell you, our client-knowing all
this, and feeling the injustice of the will
which deprives you of everything, has
contrary to our advice, you under
stand-insisted upon having deed OF
gift drawn up"
"a deed of giftP"
Yes, hear me out. With a spirit OF
romantic generosity and Quixotic
equity, which seems to me ridiculous,
she insists upon taking only one-half OF
the INTERCHANGEABLE other moiety she
gives to you, rs being rightfnlly your
own"
''Can it be Dossiblep"
You may well doubt the evidence OF
your senses, but you can readily con-
vince yourself of the reality OF the whole
transaction, for the sum of fifty thousand
pounds has been this morning paid into
your bankers hands and placed to your
credit"
Stunned and bewildered by these un-
expected tidings, Ralph could do nothing
but glare incredulously at Mr.. Bowles,
who, rising from his seat, took from the
little black bag a parchment document,
which he spread cut upon the table.
Here. he said, here is the deed OF
gift, by virtue OF which half of your
grand dfathers's property is youls.'
No-no!" said Ralph. amazed at
such an extraordinary instance of gener-
osity, ~ cannot-I will not-permit
such sacrifice to be made on my be-
halfln
Tut-tut- the deed is done, and
cannot be undone-or rather will not.
an certain. Miss bennington says that
fifty thousand pounds is an ample for
tune tor anyone-and especially one in
her positio n"
"Her position, what was that?"
From her earliest years struggling
one. When she received the news her
good fortune, she held the situation of
nursery governess."
young?"
Yes; you might have guessed that.
1t is only the young who can be actuated
by such generous impulses as these"
She must have noble spirit" said
Ralph, much affected.
"And yet," said Mr.. Bowles, I" she
disclaims all idea of having done any
thing ex raordinary. She declares she
is only performing a simple act of
Justice"
Heaven bless herl" exclaimed Ralph.
9 But she shall see that my generosity
cali equal hers. / could never forgive
myself if l consented to such sacri-
fice."
You cannot refuse. She has taken
the power out of your hands. She
alone has the power to cancel this
bo.d."
"Give it to me, thenl"
s'Certainly--it is yours
-'And now the address of this Miss
Donington?"
"She is at the Hall. In accordance
with our advice, but against her inclina-
tions, she has gone down there and taken
formal possession"
''Then,' said Ralph, shaking the law
yer by the hand, Il am off by the next
train"
1t was fast growing dark when Ralph
Grantley, having inquired for Miss Dom
ington, was shown into the drawing
room at his grandfather's residence
substantial, red bricked mansion known
simply in the vicinity as The Hail."
His heart throbbed strangely as he
found himself in the old familiar room
Years had elapsed since last he crossed
the threshold. yet all things in and about
the spacious apartment had undergone
so little change that he could almost
fancy he had not been absent many
days.
A servant entering with lights dis.
turbed his meditations, and immediately
afterward there was soft rustic of sill
and crape, and the heiress stood before
| him.
He bowed deeply, but Miss Doningtsr
| was lpse cerpuonior1a II, hor er,-ooff IL, ~