The Portland daily press., 1883-01-27

sThere now" murmurs she reproachful-
", "And just this moment you told me you
loved only me-.
"And SO do, you aud you only declares
he ferventy.
More astersks
''The key of the beer is always kept be-
hind this picture" says Monica, pointing TO
the oil-painting of her grandmother he had
admired on the first day of his arrival.
That's good thing TO know, !" returns be
laughing.
''WelI, take it down for me now it will ba
lesson. You will know exactly where TO go
for it next time.'
She laughs, too, as she says this, and dIaw-
ing him up 10 the chimney piece, points to
where the key hangs behind the picture.
Was it fatality, or was it awkwardness?
As he puts up his hand he touches the paint
ing, and the string that supports it swapping
suddenly, the picture falls heavily to the
ground-so heavily that the back parts from
it, and leaves it rather a dilapidated object
on the hearth rug.
But something else is on the hearth rug,
too! A Iiece of yellowish parchment, tightly
folded, has slipped from between the picture
and the frame. George and Monica, both
STOPPING TO pick UP her grandmother, see
| this paper at the same instant She, being
| the woman, is naturally the most curious,
| and therefore the swifest to snatch it.
Now" she says gayly, putting it behind
eer back, "what do you say it is "A legacy OF
| hundred pound note, or mere padding to
| keep the portrait steady?'
'Mere padding" guesses he.
"a fairy gift" declares she.
Then they stoop over the lamp and exam.
| inc it cautiously.
When Norwood has opened it and read
If bo -
| he utters an ejaculation and turns 10 Moni.
| ca with eyes bright with excitement.
| "What was the date of our grandfather
| will?' he asks eagerly. 81 mean how lons
| before his death was it written and signed?''
| "rhree years." says Monica, gazing at him
| In wonderment.
s'And this is dated six months before hi.
DEATH" says he, with something in his tone
| that resembles awe. "This is another anG
a later will, Monica, and it bequeathes all tt
| your father"
1t was quite true. suppose the old mar
when feeling sickness come on him--tha
first attack Of paralysis that suggested to hin
the possibility of death-had repented hin
! of the betrayal of his promise to The wife
dead and gone for seven long years, bu
| green still in his memory. To leave all t
the son of her heart-the first, and therefor,
| the dearest babe that had lain upon her bo
som-was her prayer. And the father
| though estranged from this son for man,
reasons too numerous to mention here, hat
su, cumbed as husband should to the love
i of his youth, and bad sworn 10 her that jus
| lice should be done.
Yet it was gall to him, the doing of it
| Gladly would he have got out of the promis
| given to the dying woman, but even though
ali nAI l.rx - L. 4
| over him, born of memories when sprin,
was glad with flowers, and the sun shone
and all was youth and love.
And yet the gall rose to the top; and afte
a bit, so strong was it that he looked aDau
him for way to fulfil his promise to Oh,
dead ard yet work his own desire. III
would make new will-so far she wa
obeyed, poor soul-leaving all TO the oldes
son, whom he so deeply detested, and
should be given into his own hands, but il
such wise that he should be none the bette
by it.
His mothers portrait was made the medi
um Behind it, in between the woodel
back and the picture, the old man IL secre
hid the will that yexed him, and in the frs
document that suited his pride he inserted
codicil leaving portrait, concealed will ant
all TO his eldest son.
Yet Fate is strong, and Time brings al
things to perfection.
Julia, when matters were made clear t
her, took it all very badly. Having yer
good income of her own, and an implacabl
temper, she refused 10 be comforted, an
went abroad to Egypt, or Tangiers. or some
where, and may now be married to
swarthy prince for all | know.
Pretty Monica has married her lover, an
when st l saw her, was teaching her it'll
son to 'Ride cock-horse to Banbury Gross,
on his grandfathef's knee Temple Bar