Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1880-05-06

Merton.
II knew Kim we'll sir. T went west
and while teaching here was 80 for
tnnate As 10 render him a great SER
vice, and he placed me in charge or a
mine which he owned and from that
day | never have seen him, though !
have frequently received letters from
MIN
"Knowing of his sad affection, !
thought he cared not to live among
scenes that reminded him of his wife
and daughter, so was not SURPRISED at
his absence will 90 to him at once.
"You arc too late, sir; he died be-
fore left the city, for he lad been
broken utterly with consumption, and
Mr. Dunwoolie, as you will see hy
his letter to you, he hSs made von
heir to half he is WORTH
Paul Dunwcodie started; he had
saved up g fe" thousand dollars, and
| had returned to see if N'lc!orinc was
still try:e to her promise t6 him; end,
knowing well that Walter Merton was
enormously rich, he felt now that he
could more then match the fortune
Of Mr.. Burton.
Breaking the zeal, lie read lis letter,
and saw that the officer had spoken
truly.
"Now Mr.. Dunwooiie, have a let
.cr for Miss Nictorine Burton, also
from Walter Merton.'
Inleed' She entered the hotel .
momen, ago with L:r parents; but,
What can he write to hei about said
Pail runwoodie in surprise.
"She is heiress to the other half Of
Mr.. MeNon's wealth, and the ctiicet
stepped out into tie hallway and sent
his caro- to Victorine, who, with her
parents soon joined him in the parlor.
Taking the letter handed her by
the officer, Victorine read aloud:
Richmond Hospital, I
"November lst., Is.
Mise tIj4oHlSE BvnToH-When
your eyes fall upon these lines, the
writer will be in his grave; but to
r"o"e to you that the poor Tramp is
not ungratelul for yo-r kindness he
took the life OF the man you We're
going TO marry to save your father
from commercial ruin; and also in
Staying him revensed himself upon
the acculsed wretch who had brought
life long sorrow rrce him,
"Anl more, by my will, made this
day, ! leave half Of my wealth, which
is considerable, although You knew
me only as a de3pisel yagabond TIE
other half of my property I beqneath
TO Paul Dunwoo1ie, whom | know
loves you as dearly as YOU do him.
::EarewelI, and God forever bless
YOU and the noble man whom hope
will make you his wife.
Signed "Waltor Merton.
| Kind reader, words can hardly por
tray Tie -urrrisa and delight tia. fol.
lowed and the deep regret felt for
the sad fate of Walter Merton; and
now most anxious to meet Paul Dan.
yoodic, Mr.. Burton sent for him to
ioin them in the parlor, for the plan.
ter gambler hre~ that the crash
would come upon him with the settle
ment Of the estate Of Darrel Deana,
who held notes against the Burton
tl,a.at;on for all it w"s worth.
But the crash did not come, IS thi
LAWYERS Of Darrell Deane found no
notes signed by Mr.. Barton, they
having been tahet! from TIE dead body
of the young planter and destroyed
bv Walter Merton, 50 the handsome
home still remained in possession OF
ITS m master, who hal certainly hcen
taught severe lesson.
Several months after t}to trial that
had so nearly cost him his life, Paui
Dunwoodie, no longer poor teacher,
claimed as his wife Nlctorlnc Burton,
who by one act Of kindness had gained
a s4and and q fortune Through the
trsmp's Legacy.
TIE END.
HSn Careful What You Eiii ,
ssisEl.