Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-03-08
THE LOST WILL.

why do YOU not invite me TO the
Laburnums, FAM:
Because it is so lonely there, Rae.
"For tha, reason shall come, said pref
ty Raphaella Fairlie shall come and
keen YOU company for whole week, just
a. soon a. can get away from the city.
| knew you and Phil were moping. nod
ding her curly head sagaciously.
A,udden gravity went over Fannie Bru-
deners gentle countenance, yet her eyes
frightened eSpectantly.
Il should love 20 have you there, OF
course" was all she said.
When train time came and Fannie had
lef, Rae's pretty studio and the city. the
little artist still sat daintily touching the
photograph she was coloring and evident
lv closely thinking of something else.
She was no, sure that Doctor Philip
Brudenel would exactly approve OF her
going 20 the I.aburnums, but she meant
20 20. for all that, for she loved him and
she could plainly see that he had cares
and perplexi,ies of which she knew moth
ing. And though tney had been engaged
over a year, he made no proposal OF mar
r,ing soon. only looked moOdlly when
the subjec, was approached. Rae 50 en-
joyed his company that she could live
with him In the black hole of Calcutta,
she declared TO herself, but probably
Philip did not think 80. Anyway she
was going TO the l.aburnums, his home
a, Lowshore. because she felt that her
love gave her d righ; TO know what was
troubling him,
Ten days later she locked her studio door
and steamed away 10 I.owshore. and soon
the depo; carriage had set her down at
the door of tiny cottage hid IN laburnum
trees.
Fannie kissed her affectionately.
What delightful apparItion YOU are.
Rae" she said. and led her into little
sitting room.
Everything was very plain. and very,
very tiny, Rae thought. accustomed TO
spacious city apartments; and when Fan
me had taken her hat and travelling
satchel, and gone 10 spread lunch for
her. Rae looked around and saw that the
carpe, was threadbare and the furniture
extremely old-fashioned.
Suddenly door opened, and an old
lady, leaning on a cane. tottered into the
room. Her face, bordered by snowy
cap, had strange, white, puffy look,
ou, she yet showed signs OF having been
very pretty IN youth.
What are you she asked Rae, "a
fairy: 10 YOU think YOU can better our
fallen fortunes; No, no, that can never
De.
Rae's cheek burned under the strange
IL signihcan, words, but she guessed i'm
media,ely that the old lady's mind was
wandering: then Fannie entered the room.
Come. mother, come and rest now,
she said, gently. and drew her from the
room. She came back, saying 10 Rae,
MY mother is demen,ed. Do not be
troubled by anything she says.
Il was evening when Doctor Philip
brought his fine pre'ence into the tiny
home. His star; Of delight on beholding
Rae was succeeded by rather sad smile
What pleasure did YOU expect to find
here, child" he asked, holding her hand
perhaps did no; come for pleasure,
Philip"
For what them:
Profit"
IL find very little of that here"
Two days passed. Rae saw plainly
wha, the life was a, the Laburnums-
monotonous, meagre; but ever since
Philip had hrs, brought his sister to heI
studio, Rae had loved Fannie, who was
older than herself, and patiently becoming
one OF the sweetes, old maids. So she
enjoyed sis,erly talks with Fannie.
pnilip was absent most Of the time.
In one of these confidential chats, Fan.
/ ME said -
..You ought to have come in the early
autumn, Rae-it is prettier here then
In November We have nothing attractive
literally nothing have often ex
pressed the wish 10 Philip to have yor
visit US; but be always speaks of the
contrast between your life and ours-yor
in the city, with access to so much tina
Is entertaining, and We so shut out from
the world. But because it Is you,
think, Rae, that will show you th'
house in the hollow.
The house in the hollow, Fan ::
"Yes, our ancestral home; for PhiliI
and came Of prosperous race, poor a
we now are, and the old house Is full o
what is beautiful and rare. Get you
hat ard we will go now.
Through long lines of laburnums
across tiny kitchen garden. along
decaying orchard into the slope still greer
In the November sunshine. At one ent
OF the valley which opened toward tn
sea. where white sails were noiselessl
fitting. stood large and handsom
house Of painted brick. with oriel win
dows and other picturesque effects.
1T is an old house., said Fanny. Il
was built by my grandfather. in his las
days, as q wedding present to my mother
Ths old house which had formerly sroo'