New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1884-09-03
dress. It can do any harm. .
Hadn't you better ask Ronald to do

dress. It can't do any harm. .
Hadn't you better ask Ronald to do
No. Grace. think it will be best
not to take anyone into our confidence.
Then, if we are doing o silly thing,
there will be no one to laugh at Us.
Wait until the answer comes before We
say word about it to Ronald.
Grace acquiesced. as she usually did
to what sedatc Blanche proposed.
Her own lack Of confidence in her
sister about her love affair caused her
to be even more plant to Blanche's
advice than was her custom.
The answer came in due time, say.
ing that the heirs of another Janet
Grahame had also replied, but that
whichever party should have convinc-
ing proof as to being the children Of
the Janet Grahame mentioned, would
have the sole right to large property
in both lands and money. The note
concluded by requesting the party adj
dressed to inform him by return mail
what family Of Grahame she belonged
to, English or Scotch, and whether she
had any proofs.
Much to Branches delight she
could answer the last question in the
affirmative, and also could refer to .
huge Bible her mother had brought
with her from England.
She made copy of the former and
enclosed it in her letter Of reply.
|. Then she awaited further develop
ments in state of restless anxiety,
which would have attracted Ronald's
attention, had he not been soengrossed
in his studies.
But she was we'll repaid for her
trouble when she learned that the re-
suit of her correspondence was to de-
clare that her mother was the Janet
Grahame to whose heirs had lapsed an
Inheritance which would make them
independently wealthy.
1t was joyful news to the trio, and
Ronald was eager to have it at once
communicated to their cousin Reggie.
But to his surprise, and also to that
of Blanche. Grace requested that it
should be kept a secret until after
Reginald should attain his majority.
After considerable opposition Grace
carried her point, although it was
much to Ronald vexation Of spirit.
What will Reggie think of it?'' he
asked indignantly. He'll think me
| mean cad to keep it from him for an
/ hour"
II will make it right with kim. y
answered Grace.
''You speak like one having author
Iity, Oracle said Ronald, giving her
keen glance, which discounted her
for an instant. But she rallied quickly.
Il shall tell him we wanted to add to
his happiness. by keeping such q
pleasant surprise in store for him.
The important time had at last ar
rived which was to decide whether
Reginald was to be rich or poor.
1 The cousins were assembled together
to listen to the man of law who was to
read the contents of the sealed note
upon which so much depended.
Thus it ran:
! Il, Jasper Sylvester, being In good health
and sound mind, declare the properties mem
condition that he shall seek out the direct
heirs of my early friend and benefactor.
| Stirling Macleod, of Sunny Drae, Scotland;
j and If he find among them maiden of suit
able age, that he g, shall take her to wife; 4
forfeited to the young lady aforesaid.
JASPER SYLVESTER"
Reginal rose to his feet as quietly as
though his fortune was not trembling
in the balance.
81 refuse to fulfill the conditions i'm
posed upon me by my grandfather. =
he said.
Then he went to Grace, who was
trembling with excitement, but whose
girlish beauty was, if anything, en-
HANGED by her agitation.
I am young and strong, Grace, and
/ will work for you. We don't care
for riches Us long as we love each
other, do we?"
But riches are very comfortable to
have, Reggie. Think twice before you
resign them
Can you say that, Gracep' asked
Reginald reproachfully; and 'tGracie!''
and ''Grace?' also came in surprised
tones from Ronald and Blanche.
1t was shocking to them to have
Grace appear in such .. mercenary
light. But Grace was too excitedly
happy to care. She absolutely beamed
With mischief.
.And, Reginald" she continued,
people will say that your are marry
ing for money, il you take me. /"
what do you mean, Grace? Ex-
plain yourself, or / shall think We are
all going to become, unbalanced in
mind. You are as poor as am.
mo, Reginald. you are mistaken.
Isn't he, Ronald?'
Reginald turned towards Ronald,
who looked decidedly uncomfortable.
Don't blame me for not telling you,
Reg; it was Grace's fault. She wouldn't
consent to it. She kept it as sur
prise to cOunterbalance your expected
good fortune
..And it comes all the better, dear
Reginald, now that you have resigned
wealth for my sake, that can tell you
that Ronald, Blanche, and l are al as
rich as you ought to be. .
It was no longer Grace, the mis-
cheivous sprite. who spoke; twas the
Grace he had SO long loved and who
loved him.
The man of law had been overlooked
during this little scene. Now he came
j to the front.
LET me advise you to refrain from
either refusing or accepting the most.
extraordinary request contained in Mr..
Sylyester's note. Let inquiries be first
made with regard to the heirs Of the
gentleman therein mentined. They
may all be in the male line. In that
case there could be no disobedience on
your part.
This speech. delivered with due
gravity, was received with the respect
It deserved.
It would be easy for Reginald to
keep silent as long as hs had thus
given public utterance to his real SEN.
timents.
Strange to say it was found, upon
inquiry. that Stirling Macleod had