Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1882-12-24


they did very shortly, looking mystery
ous and important. As she re-entered the
room. Abe fancied she heard the cliek oil
a drawer or door hastily shut; but the
Screen being so arranged as TO inclese
the hearth, she could see nothing until
She had passed round it. Then she
found Monsieur Vanderhaven standing
with his arm on the massive chimney
niece. watching the burning of q piece
of paper which be had just thrown
Iupon the logs. He did not speak till
she bad been seated some moments.
'Thave been making myiwill, " he sald
abruptly, at length; III made one SIX
months ago, in moment OF anger, put
that shall be destroyed before Bernhardt
returns. by this new. one have lett
him everything except the business, anu
that be will not grudge TO his cousin.
Il shall give 1t into Maitre Janssen's
Keeping tomorrow. Meantime, ne
added, with curious smile, II nave
put it in a safe place, where 1t would De
difficult To
BE stopped abruptly, putting his hand
10 his head. The blood suffused his face
TO the temples, then retreated, leaving
him lividly pale. He staggered and
would have fallen if Annette had not
supported him. She bent over him in
alarm as he sank into q chair.
at is nothing" he gasped, "a passing
fajntness-." He drew one or two
heavy breaths, and seemed to recover
somewhat, though his face was still
white and haggard. .,.,
"Good girl, good girl, !" he said, touch
inc her check as she bent over him.
pyou deserve to be happy, and you
shall be. You will live here, you and
Bernhardt; he will have this for his
paintipg-room again. He will make
name-yes, the lad was right; he Is an
artist. Never let the old house go into
strange hands, love 1t. 1t has shell
tered my people for more than cent
ury: ever since the time of old Simon
Vanderhaven, yonder," and he nodded
toward the portrait with smile OF
friendly recognition, then sat silent,
looking into the bright hollows oil the
fire. u,
~ am drowsy," he said at last; III
think could sleep.n
! Annette stood near him till his eyes
closed; then returned to her seat. But
she could not work. She felt uneasy
and depressed. Her eyes dwelt with q
sort of fascination on the motionless
figure opposite, only glaneing away
now and then at the Pickering fire, or
out through the uncurtained window at
the bare moon-lit place, where the
shadows of the quaint old houses lay
black on the snow-whitened pavement.
About quarter of an hour had passed
thus, when she heard the muffied roll
of carriage wheels approaching the
house. They paused at the door, and
there was knock which sounded I'M
naturally loud in the silence. She start
ed to her feet. Could it be Bernhardt,
who had arrived before his time? was
the first thought that flashed across her.
Assuring herself that M. Wander
haven was still sleeping, she went out
into the landing, and leaning over the
heavily carved balustrade, looking
down into the famp-lit hall. Ges-it
was Bernhardt who stood there, laugh.
ing at old Ursula's shrill questions and
eXclamations as he dismissed the car
riage and closed the door. Annette's
glad little cry caught his ear at once.
He looked up, flung his travelling wraps
on the floor, and bounded upstairs.
"My darling, my darlingw was all
he could saw at first, between a shower
of kisses. "How l have longed for you
all these weary monthsn
"And for you, she whispered shyly,
as she looked up into his face, bronzed
and older-looking, but handsomer than
ever, she thought, with thrill of pride.
"And to find you here to welcome
me; it seems like fairy tale! You
must have bewitched my grandfather.
And you eyes, darling?n he went on
tenderly, bending to look into them.
'If you had told me that trouble before,
Ishould never have left you. Are they
better?"
$50 much better that I warn you |
shall be able to detect all the faults in
your pictures" was her laughing reply.
iBut YOU haven't explained yet why
YOU are here four days before your
time. We did not expect you till Christ
mas eve."
II feared if / delayed I should be
snow-bound. There has been several
falls, and some of the lines are blocked"
~ am glad you came to-day she
said, more gravely. 81 have been so
anxious"
ais my grandfather worse" he
asked, quickly. -,
~ fear so, though he will not admit
it. He was speaking of you ust now.
! know he longs to see you. Come"
Hand in hand they passed into the
room, bright with freight and lamp
light. The old merchant had not
moved. His head rested against the
back of the chair; his hands were
folded in an attitude of peaceful re-
pose.
"He is asleep" she whispered; che
oh! Bernhardt, what is it," For
the young man, after one glance at the
placid face, uttered an inarticulate cry,
and sank on his knees before the chair.
Monsieur Vanderhaven was sleeping
"the sleep that knows not awakening"
III
1t was Christmas eve. The grave had
closed over Nicholas Vanderhaven.
All the dismal hustle of the funeral was
over, and those interested in the old
merchants will were assembled in the
dining.room to hear it read by the
notary. The party was not large
one, consisting only of Bernhardt, his
cousin, Cornelius Dewint, from Ant
werp, a stout, tlorid, prosperOus.looking
parsonage of middle age, with loud
voice and a self-assertive manner;
Ursula, and Jacob the butler, and, last
", Annette, who was present at Bern
hardt's desire. The notary, little,
spare, high-dried man, in dusty brown
wig and gold eyeglasses, glanced
around at the party as. he EMBODIED a
sheet of cracking parchment.
"This will was deposited with me by
my late client some six months ago."
he began.
Excuse me, Maitre Janssenw Bern
hardt interrupted 81 am informed that
there is later one, which my grand
father made only few hours before
his DEATH"
"Yes he wrote it in my presence"
Annette put in.
"And We witnessed II, Jacob and l."
spoke old Usula. "The master sent
for us on purpose"
Monsieur Dewint wheeled round in
his chair, and stared from one speaker
to another, while the lawyer looked
under his eye glass at Annette. Tn-
deed? was not aware of it." he said.