The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-03-21
MY INHERITANCE.

So Aunt Susan had left me heir 10
her little all. had often been to the
small house in the out-of-the-way
country village, and it must have been
that my visits had pleased her. At any
rate, in the letter 1 now held, she
wrote
MY DEAR HERBERT: haven't much to leave,
as my annuity dies with me; bat my house and
furniture, such al it in. wish you TO have.
OF all my nephews, you have been the only
one who has seemed 10 care for me. and wish
sake You are AT liberty to sell the house, if
YOU wish, and all it contains, excepting one
thing and that is the picture of my grand
mother, which was left 70 me in her will. That
I have always valued, aud j would 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
aunt's on receiving news of her death.
L had entered into my inheritance,
but, as Aunt Susan had said, there was
nothing of much value. The house was
old and rickety, and the furniture in
the last stages Of wear. Before the
picture in the sitting-room paused. 1t
was, as / remembered it before, a full
length portrait of very handsome
woman, with dark, naughty beauty,
dressed in rich, old. time costume 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.
/ must now describe the girl whom
for a year / had loved to distraction
Though as l felt hopelessly. Adrienne
Roscoe was true type of an American
girl; tall and slender, her figure pos
sessed that dignifed grace which dis
6nguishes our countrywomen, with a
face fair, proud, delicate, sweet, intelli-
gent-all these adjectives are none too
many to do it justice. l had become &C
quainted with her father during one Of
my business trips, and had afterward
been favored with an introduction to his
daughter. Mr.. Roscoe was self-made
man, one TO whom the "chink, chink,
chink" of gold was sweeter than any
sound besides, as one could easily see.
l had in some way found favor in his
eyes, and he had asked me to his house,
apparently never fearing in the slightest
that the poor, struggling lawyer could
dare to losk up to his incompatible
daughter. Indeed, he had once told me
an confidence, "Adrienne is a beauty
and j intend her to make fine match"
1 took the day boat, and arrived at
"CTagghead late in the afternoon. The
party was at its full height, and, after
making myself presentable, / sauntered
down to find my host and his daughter.
Such a cordial grasp of theshand /
had seldom seen Mr.. Roscoe bestow, and
chen, after coDversing n few moments,
he said, it seemed to me in very sig.
nificant tone, Have You seen Adrienne
yet ?"
Just then she came toward us. 1 had
never shown by word or look my dar-
ing love; but, as she approached in an
ethereal costume (Which surely could
have been fashioned by none but fairy
'fingers), I stood rooted to the spot,
every emotion merged into one wild
wish to then and there throw myself at
her feet and declare my love.
But, of course, all L did was to take
the sweet hand SO frankly extended,
and utter few words of greeting. Just
then group of gay girls fitted toward
us, calling "Adriennel and in their
midst she was waited away.
My host aud ! wandered TO a grove
near by, and under the shadow of an old
elm we seated ourselves. Mr.. Roscoe
had always been polite and courteous
to me, but to-day / felt difference in
his manner, and by-and-by something
he said sent the blood bounding at To-
yer heat through my veins.
Laying his hand with the large soil
taire on the little finger) confidentially
on my arm, he said:
Herbert, i think fathers eye can
mot be mistaken. Have / not seen for
O long time that you have entertained
for my daughter feeling warmer than
mere friendship?"
I'm surprise / looked into his face, and
then with sudden wild hope at my
heart as / saw the benignant, kindly
look with which he regarded me, told
him all--how passionately worshiped
Adrienne, and that il was through fear
shat, because of my poverty, would be
no fitting mate for her, had not VEN
tured to declare my feelings. As /
spoke, q rather peculiar smile passed
over his features, but il vanished quick
ly, and in the same kindly tone he re-
piled:
"Mr. Lisle, You underrate yourself.