The Opelousas courier., 1883-11-03
TN HARVEST-TIME

Without, a fierce sun burned and
blistered; within, was delightful cool1
ness and greenish bloom. But within
was also the silence which follows a
shock, and the shattering of staunchly-
buiided hopes.
In the great library two men faced
each other, one bent, gray-headed,
small of stature, the other tall, and
strong as a young gladiator, with a
handsome, olive-skinned face, just now
very set and grave.
sMy dear boy, it has been no easy
task for me to come and tell you this,
Mr.. Roche said, speaking slowly.
"You have all your life been consid-
cred, and have been taught to consider
yourself, master of Silver Cliff. 1t is
hard now, when for two years you
have reigned as such, to be abruptly
deposed. No one ever dreamed that
Nicholas Edgerton had left a daugh-
ter. Indeed, the fact has been discov-
by the merest accident. The proofs
are, however, flawless. They have
been thoroughly investigated and au-
thenticated. You are cousins, you
know, three times removed. OF course
you would never have succeeded to
the estate had there been the least sus-
picion of her existence"
He paused to take out his handker-
chief and wipe his forehead. He had
been the Edgerton's lawyer for many
years, and, as he said, it came hard on
him to be the bearer of i'll news to the
boy he had loved from babyhood.
when is she coming home? Maui
rice Edgerton asked, quietly, but chok-
ing a little over the last word.
Naturally, this sudden information
was q blow TO him. To be dashed
from wealth to absolute pennilessness,
without q profession or the priceless
experience of those who have learned
what the bare struggle for existence
implies. was, in truth, appalling.
Il am not positive Mr.. Roche re-
piled. 1T will certainly be some day
next week. In regard to worldly mat
ters she must be quite a child, having
never in her life been without the walls
OF that old Belgian convent"
sNext week. starting slightly
.That seems-so sooni7
And then he excused himself and
went away.
August blushed to joyous being; and
with its pomp of birds andfowers, and
tender dawns and rare white nights,
the new heiress came to Silver Cliff.
Mr.. Roche met her at the depot, and
quite forgot to dislike her, as he had
resolved to do.
She stepped out on the platform and
looked around her bewilderedly, aslen-
der girl, gray-clad from head to foot.
And how pretty she was, to-be-sure!
Stately as . tall lily, with a fair, pearl
skinned face, lit by brown eyes, clear
and gracious.
Oh the homeward drive she turned
Ia Mr. Roche.
Where is Maurice?" she asked.
He has gone away. do not know
where
he spoke shortly, his lips Tightening,
remembering aoha the lad had gone
away.
Conc away u she cried. Not for
goodg
Hes gone, anyhow he answered,
sturdy. @Nfore likely for bad
She did not heed the grim joke.
1T is not fair, or right, or jnstl' shs
went on, excitedly, her pale cheek
flushing hotly. He cannot surely
think that / mean to accept all; torol
him Of what for years he has locked
On as hisl T hare never expected good
fortune, so for me q little will suffice
The rest / shall hold IN trust fol
him.
aMy deir young lady the old man
exclaimed, testify, but touched in spits
iii himself. what i Quixotic scheme
Maurice would never agree to thal
which you propose. The property i
eaa1laY yours.
Rsa LEGALLY, she admitted, quickly