Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-23

remembered every item and circumstance Next
Ms tne cnance eau OF the district visitor and her
whom recognized your little friend Palma. Then
came the advertisement you have just read saw
it In the 1T-umpeter this morning; recognized liz
the man wanted the deceased father OF poor little
Palma, and called ON Messrs. Walling Walling at
their Office to fnd out what my late cousin. james
Jordan Hay, was wanted for learned that he
was wanted to take possession OF fine estate his
two elder brothers having both died withou.
Children. About q month since the Old squire died
suddenly OF apoplexy. and left no Will. Haymore
has rent roll OF eight thousand year. Then Mr..
Walling asked me II could give him any informa-
ton concerning the whereabouts OF Mr. James
Jordan Hay. told him that was sure the miss
ing man was not in New York. but had not the
remotest Idea where he might be-"
"Lamia my dear" exclaimed young stuart.
troubled by this subterfuge and prevarication,
why did you miSead him?"
"Fo, your sake. Clece. Oh, my dear. don't you
understand? Twas so quick TO see your interests
and toguaTd them. These lawyers must not know
OF The existence OF this hereSS until you have made
her and her fortune your own Nor must she know
OF her accession 10 wealth until she is your wife.
She
But the young man had started from the side OF
his COMPANION, and was strtding up and down the
room, mutterfng:
Horrible. Horrible"
LAMA, fearing she would lose her influence over
him. put up her hands, and, in beseeching tones,
"Cleve, you do not love mer'
Not love you? o, Heaven!"
Then, II you do, pray sit down, try to be calm
and cool and reasonable, and listen TO me. WIN
soft hands
81 have no choice but to hear and obey. ~ he an
swered in e tone made tragic by the conflict in his
soul.
Now listen. There is not hope of Palma's re-
covery. You have not the power TO heal her NAL
ady, but you may make her happier than she has
ever Deen 10 her life, and you may prolong her
istence: VIII you have done her any harm? Surely
NOT Nor Is there any one else whom you would
wrong by this plan. There is no other heir after
her. she Is the last OF the Hays OF Haymore. If
she die unmarried. the whole estate real and per-
mrr
her, ON her death, all her vast properly would be-
come your own. Come. Cleve do not be fanatical.
Marry this poor dying girl, and make her as happy
as an angel for the few remaining days or weeks
or her life and then receive your reward by enjoy
Ing her wealth all the rest OF your days and mine
mine, Clever And she placed her soft hand in his
and gazed up into his eyes.
~, 4 fierce struggle was going on in his heart
This was the first great temptation he had ever
experienced. and she was his tempter, and she pos
sessed great power over him. Yet she did not con-
quer his scrupes easily. She had to use all her
arts. Establishments and sOphiStries persistently
for hours before she could win from his shocked
moral sense even reluctant promise "tO think
house.
The next day Cleve hunted up the tenement
mousse In which Palma was living. He found Mrs.
Pole the old nurse, in the hail She informed him
tnat Palma was dying, and was resigned to her
tate, and then led the way into an attic chamber
ch ana opp up by pillows in rocking
faded blue gown; her silky black hair flowed freely
over her head and shoulders; her little dark face
were so brilliant, and her cheeks and lips SO bright
that she was beautiful even under the shadow OF
death
cry OF pity half escaped the lips Of Cleve Stuart
as he approached her chair
She held out both hands to welcome him, and her
face was radiating celestial light and joy
He took her In his arms ana kissed her. and laid
her little head against his breast for moment
Inc careSs was impulsive, spontaneous compass
been bestowed on a little suffering sister.
Are you SO glad to see me. Palma?" he gently
inquired, as he laid her back in her chair
"Oh, so gtad!" she Dreathed, with sigh OF pro-
found contempt. And she held out her hands to
him, as ii mutely 1mploring him to take them.
He drew chair TO her side and seated himself
and took the ittIe emaciated hands and held them
together in his own.
"You are so good to come, You make me SO
happy! / am going TO die soon; but should not
mind II could only have you here Sitting by me-
holding my hand to the last-to the very iast" she
painted tightening her clasp upon the hands that
were holding hers; and then Cleve stuart, really
forgetting all mercenary interests found it in his
heart and conscience to marry Palma Hay, if she
really wanted to be his wife.
why should he not make this poor child happy
for the few remaining days or hours of her life?
Palma, VIII you give me the legal right 10 care
1or you? VIII you have me for your husband?'
ne asked, gently taking her hand and bending over
she breathed, gazing up in bis face with childish
1rankness, surprise and delight-the falling light
Kndlng In her dark eyes, the fading color flushing
81 do mean it, dear child. VIII you give yourself
TO me?" he asked, smoothing her dark hair with his
"Yes-oh, yes!-if you want me; but am such
poor creatures" she answered, holding out to him
her wasted hand, and smiling family.
his lips. ~ ~ ~ "
-, And the scene ended in the solemn betrothal of
sne young gentleman to the dying girl, the appoint
Iuent or their marriage to be SOlemniZed on the
following Sunday noon, and the departure of the
oridegroom-elect to make preparations for the
~ AS Cleve left Palma she said to him, in child
like, trustful way:
,. Ion. how how happy you have made me. ,could
This declaration touched Cleve to the heart, and
stirred all his better nature 10 its utmost DEPTHS
ne fssolSea TO devote himself with absolute fidelity
10 tne happiness OF Palma during the brief re-
mafnder Of her life. In this mood he returned to
his hotel There he found letter awaiting him
to bis room and opened The letter His face
flushed crimson, and then faded into pallor, as he
read:
No. -, FIFTH AVENUE. April 30th, SPIN.
=, CleVe, come to me instantly. Go no further IN
the matter we planned There are no '.milllons In
cape destruction She is a beggar An heir has
been discovered in the son of Hays second son who
was supposed to have died unmarried in California
VINO taxes precedence OF the daughter OF the third
and who brings all the documents necessary to
prove him the heir-at-law of the late John Hay
M WOO nay, OF Haymore Come instantly to hear all
Ceve Stuart finished the letter OF Lamia LeeSn,
lald IL GOWN, and covered his face with his hands
Tue ABOVE We publish as SIP cimen chapter OF this
Deautl1ui story; but the continuation viii be found
0hly IN the n \. Ledger. ASK for the number dated
January ., which can now be had at any news office
or bookstore. The New York Ledger is the Great
Family Paper, full OF good and interesting reading,
Bishop Clark, the Rev. DR.. John Hal. and other
eminent scholars and oivines. Now IL you want
paper tnat mas something in it-something to
amuse, TO entertain, TO instruct-the best and tr,
est love stories, sound, wholesome doctrines about
aignt ana wrong, and an Infinite variety OF inter-
for the Ledger. The price is three dollars a wear
Address Robert Bonner. publisher, 1872 William
street, New YORK; The cost is nothing compared
TO the value OF what Won get - F