Louisiana capitolian., 1880-06-19

not worth disturbing, at tlrst Adelaide
thought. At last, with reluctant curl.
osity, she drew it forth, unfolded, and
scanned its faded characters, and, a. she
read, her dark eyes dilated, her cheeks
paled, she csught her breath.
Aunt Resolve was counting out money
on the library table. Suddenly Adelaide,
all white and trembling, entered the
room, the paper in her hand. What
have you thereP
Aunt Resolve had grown suddenly
ghastly at the sight Of the faded scrap.
She snatched at tho girls wrist, and
drew the paper toward her without
touching it. She saw only too clearly
tho minute, quaint characters, clear as
print, though the ink was faded. Then
she pushed Adelaide away and turned
aside her face.
The bewi1dered girl sat down upon the
footst0ol at her feet.
oh, Aunt, what is itg'
1T is nothing portioning off the sill
Yer with trembling hand. The salt
marsh must be cut now; so go away,
child; am busy
But tho girl Clung about her knees,
oh this is my grandfather's name
signed to this she cried, and am home
less
Tut, tut
Am not the last of my race His
father gained it dishonesty he says,
and when his descendants shall have
dwindled to single one, let him or her
not dare to marry, but restore the estate
to the rightful family, bestowing it upon
the poorest member thereof quoted the
girl, the words of the paper stamped on
her memory.
Aunt Resolve groaned and her hands
fell from their task.
Child, childr she cried, 'how in the
world came you to find it"
Il was dusting the caqiuet. It was be-
hind panel that fell down. did not
dare to touch it at first. Now l have
read it all, and know what it means
what l have to do, auntie.' And now
the girl stood mp.
Your father gave it to me for safe
keeping. never meant you to see it,
Adelaide
That would have been very wrong,
auntie'
The girl did not speak. She stood
looking around the familiar room, and
her eyes grew dark with agony. Evi-
IDENTIFY her resolve was taken.
The dear old place-it seemed part of
my very self. 1t never before was beau
tifu! and dear as now, when it was to
be my home and his. 1t has seemed lone
j. and irksome-it never would any
more. And l must give it up
This was fixed as an unaltcrable law
in her mind. The conditions fulfilled
which decreed it to another, the Juni-
pers must forthwith pass into other
hands.
There could be no doubt that Ade-
laide was heart broken. She looked as
if some terrible illness had settled upon
her. Aunt Resolve was uttered shat
tered by the girls state; but now Ade-
laide was the stronger Of the two in
maintaining settled purpose.
The latter a guardian whom she saw
annually, She wrote to him, acquaint-
ing him with the message from the de-
ceased, and briefly relinquishing the
property, as she wished him to take
steps to discover the former owners, of
the Junipers-a process which Aunt Re-
solve thought would not be difficult,
though she did not know them.
I would not have done it, DEAR she
said, sick in bed. I would have you
live and die upon the old place. | fear
alb, | fear you will miss everything now
for Captain Sommers has no home, and
he will rove from and forget you! 1t is
human nature. These long-deferred
marriages never turn out well. You
know your marriage to him must be de-
ferred don't you"
yes
The girl uttered the one sad monosyl-
liable, and said no more.
And now the time was flying. Cap
tain Sommers she expected daily, for he
said he would return to her in less than
month. She finally brought herself
to write to him, and told him what had
happened. He made no reply.
This added pang. She saw plainly
what it would be. He could not pro-
vide for her adequately. Such a sup
hn ,+Io Il. I.