National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-12-27


formed him that she had that day learned
from q lady connected with mission so.
ciety that Palma was dying in tenement
house, whore she was living with Mrs
Pole, an old servant of the BARNS. She
also said that Mrs. Pole had stated to tn O
mission lady that Palma's death was
being hastened because an old friend,
Cleve Stuart, whose arrival from Europe
she had seen announced in the news
papers, had not called to 500 her. To this
Clevo replied
"All fancy, my queen, all fancy. The
poor girl is in decline from physical
causes, not mental nor moral. l will 20
and SEQ her tomorrow. Poor little
Palmaw
81 dare say you are right. Cleve," said
Miss Leegh. Then, with ssudden change
of subject, she exclaimed:
"Clevc, have something else to tell
you"
What is 1t, my lady-love?"
II think that fortune may smile on us
that is, If you have courage and address
to court her favor"
LAMA, love; tell me what you moan!''
he eagerly demanded.
"Clevc. what would you do to insure
our wealth and our union within n year
from this timoT she inquired, earnestly
looking him in the eyes.
dol What would do? AnythinRl
anything under the sun that IL was possi-
bic for mo TO do-except to commit n
crime"
Crime would not be possible to you.
Besides, there Is no question Of crime.
Buff you really love me"
"Yosl ycsl WoliY'
Marry Palma Hay at oncew
The young man gasped for breath, and
Ea1 NJ
you would ask mo 'whyp l sun
pose, IT, your tongue did not cleave to tho
roof Of your mouth. ] will consider the
question put TO me, and answer 1t. This
is tuhy"--
And she placed printed slip of paper
In his hand.
Cleve Stuart received the printed slip
OF paper from the hands of Lamia Leigh.
and gazed at it in silence. 1t was an adj
! vertisemont, cut from the columns of
daily paper, and read as follows:
| NEXT OF KNIFE THIS SHOULD MEET
~ the eyes Of Jane, Jordan Hay, third son OF
the late John Haywood Hay, OF Haymore. York
shire England, he Is requested to communicate
hear something TO his advantage
| WALLiNa y W,LLiSg, Attorneys-at-Law,
Judiciary Buildings, Ill star Street.
''Where did you get this?" INQUIRED
Cleve Stuart looking up from the slip.
IL cut it from this mornings Jrumpeter,
Glove. Are You still dszed? Do you not
understand? This advertisement refers
to tho father of that Ioor Palma whose
story you told me on the steamer" said
LAMA, significantly.
Eyes, see; but the man has boon dead
dozen years or more" replied Cleye.
still troubled and confused in his mind as
by the perception Of an impending, ire
| sistiblo temptation.
"Yes; James Jordan Hay is dead, sure
enough but his only child is living: she
may not live many days-she cannot,
and she is the heiress, in right of her de.
ceased father, to Haymore Hold, and to
personal property worth three times as
much as the real estate" whispered
LAMA, glancing around and dropping her
voice, lest the very walls should hear and
report her words.
and she is dying Of disease and priva-
tion in tho attic Of tenement house !o
breathed young Stuart, with shudder.
Eyes"
"How do you know all this that you
have told me?" he next inquired.
Fortune favored me. First of all, as
IL happens. l myself am distant rela-
ton Of the Hays. SO when you told me
the story of the young officer who gave
all for love and thought the world
we'll lost l became so much interested
in it that 1 remembered every item and
circumstance. Next was the chance call
of the district visitor, and her descrip-
ton OF her most interesting protege, in
whom l recognized your little friend
Palma. Then came the advertisement
which you have Just read. I saw 1t in
the Trumpeter this morning; recognized
in the man wanted the deceased father
OF poor little Palma, and called on Messrs.
r. WALL HI. n
out what my late cousin, James Jordan
Hay, was wanted for. learned that he
was wanted to take possession of fine
estate, his two older brothers having
both died without children. About a
month since the old squire died sud.
denly of apoplexy, and left no will.
Haymore has n rent-roll of eight thou.
sand year. Then Mr.. Walling asked
me if could give him any information
concerning the whereabouts of Mr.. James
Jordan Hay. l told him that l was sure
the missing man was not in New York,
but had not the remotest idea where he
might be-"
''Lamia-my dearw exclaimed young
Stuart. troubled by this subterfuge and
prevarication, "why did you mislead
himW
"For your sake, Clere. oh, my dear, don't
you understand? / was SO quick to see
your interests, and to guard them. These
lawyers must not know of the existence
Of this heiress until you have made her
and her fortune your own. Nor must she
know of her accession to wealth until she
is your wife. She"
But the young man had started from the
side OF his companion, and was striding
up and down the room muttering:
"Horrible Horrible p
In ~; H.
ence over him, put up her hands, and, in
beseeching tones, cried:
"Cleve, you do not love mew
Not love you? o, Heaven |"
Then, If you do, pray, pray sit down,
try to be calm and cool and reasonable,
and listen to me. Will you ?" she cooed
and coaxed, caressing him with her soft
hands.
81 have no choice, but to hear and
obey" he answered, IN tone made tragic
by the conflict in his soul.
Now listen. There is not hope of
Palma's recovery. You have not the
power to heal her mslady, but you may
mako her happier than she has ever
been in her life, and you may prolong her
existence. VIII you have done her any
harm? Surely not. Nor is there any
ono 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, tho whole estate.
real and personal, will go to the crown,
II you should marry her. on her death,
all her vast property would become your
own. Come, Glove. do not be fanatical.
Marry this poor dying girl, and make her
as happy as an angel for the few remain
ing days or weeks of her life, and then
receive your reward by enjoying her
wealth all the rest of your days and
mine--mi'e, Cleve" and she placed her
soft hand in his and gazed up into his
eyes.
A fierce struggle was going on in his
h.AnrE L.. a