Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-10-28

| =. N 1hlCuuCu " DcSlu l11 tAdlltld-
tlon. l put up at small inn in the
neighborhood, and walked out toward
the railway just 10 announce ny pres.
ence. AS was returning along the
nlgh road whom should naet, face to
race but Hugh Graham! lie looked
ialnt, weary, and travel worn. l do
not Know to which of US the meeting
was the greater surprise,
am thankful to have met youl'
ne exclaimed, almost before we had
time to greet each other. For Heaven 5
sake come with me; am going to
Heatherburn.
I ou cannot go to Heatherburn or
anyWhere else in that pllght,' L said.
Oohe IN with me and have dinner, and
rest awhile,
lie would have objected, but in
sisted, and almost dragged him in with
me. L found on questioning him
that MS money had fallen short only
bringing him as far as Dumfries, and
Ihat he had walked thirty miles that
DAY without food. He still insisted
that 1t was absolutely necessary he
should get on to Heatherburn that
evening, relterating his eutreaties that
would accompany him. To. this l
| consented.
Fortunately was able to procure a
gig; in which we drove the five inter
Venlng miles in the cool of the evening
Leaving the gig at sort OF shanty
close by, Graham, with rapid step. led
the way through gate in the palings
OF gentleman's park, and, cutting
straight across the green-sward like one
familiar with the locality. he made for
the front door of a large Old fashioned
mansion.
When the door was opened, in an
swer to the peal Of the bell, the gray
haired man servant started back in
alarm
''Gude save us, Mr.. Hughl' he ex-
claimed.
'Hugh seemed scarcely to hear or
see him.
"We entered roomy bedchamber.
Stretched on the bed, evidently in the
last agOnieS, was man only a few
years older than Hugh; by his side sat
gray haired old man, his head bowed
down on his hands. There were two
the clergyman and the doctor.
''The old man lifted his head at the
noise caused by our entrance, and,
starting up, an expression Of fierce an.
ger taking the place of SORROW. he
stretched out his arm to forbid the
nearer approach of my companion.
"'Begonel' he cried, in harsh,
broken voice. sWretch-Cainl What
do you here, disturbing the bed of
death.
without attending to this objurga-
ton, Hugh strobe up to the side of the
bed. 'Percival Graham he said SOL
emnly, by your belief IN HIM before
whom you will shortly appear-by your
hope of salvation-speak at lastl L con-
jure you to declare who fired that fatal
shotI
% spasm convulsed the face of the
dying man.
'Mercy-mercyl he gasped, in hol
low accents. 81 did It'll But, as Heaven
is my witness, 1 had no intention of
injuriRg Walterl'
"'Then what induced you to cast
the odium of such crime upon me?'
"'Because hated you, Hugh Gra-
hamI he almost shrieked. Il hated you
because you were better and nobler and
handsomer than myself, and, more than
all, because Alice Fraser loved you.'
land for that reason you would
have hunted me to the death? Heaven
forgive you!' said Hugh.
''The sick man fell back, exhausted
by the exertionS he had made. Not
for that only,' he muttered. when
Walter died you stood between me and
the lands and title.'
SAT first the old man stood as if
stunned-he seemed scarcely able to
comprehend what he had heard; but he
clenched his hands, and, stretching
them upwards. he cried, Now may
Heavens curse
d" "'Hush!' said the clergyman, laying
his hand on his friends shoulder.
Vengeance IS mine. saith the Lord;
| will repay" Rather lot us pray
''Sir William Graham and his son
Hugh knelt side by side, while the
clergyman recited the prayers for the
dying.
"By-and-by l saw the doctor quietly
lay on the bed the arm he had been
holding, and make sign to the clergy
man, who stopped for moment, and
then offered a fervent thanksgiving
that the truth had been revealed.
SSH William turned round, opening
his arms to his newly-found son; and
as they were clasped in close embrace
| stole from the room.
Before long servant came with
note from young Mr.. Graham. lie
begged | would remain all night.
:sMr. Macdonald, who 1 found had
been tutor In the family, and now re- 4,
mained as chaplain, made inquiries
about Hugh, and the origin of our &C.
uuaintance. l told him the whole
story, and in my turn begged for in
formation as to the events that had led
to the situation in which had found
the heir of Heatherburn.- The follow
ing are the facts he related to me.
''Sir William Graham had, it seems
two sons, Walter and Hugh. The for
mer was a sickly, puny lad, never good
for much-peeviSh too, and fretful in
temper, always fine, generous-hearted
manly fellow.
1.-THE boys were just growing up into
young men, when a brother of Sir Will
liam's died in India, leaving his only
son to the care of the Baronet. Per-
cival was just the same age as Walter,
but proved great contrast in perSon
and disposition. His mother must have
had Indian blood in her veins. for he
was swarthy in complexion, though not
nj nar.yiSa ill-loOkiup
'''He soon wormed himself into Sir
Williams affection and confidence by
and llittery, SO skilltully
assumed and administered that | am
not surprised that the simple old man
was deceived. And over Walters mind
also he managed TO gain great iniiu-
ence.
g. In reality there was strong affec-
tion between Walter and Hugh; be-
lieve from my heart that Hugh would
have laid down his life for his brother;
but, like all healthy, high-spirited lads.
he had little sympathy for weakness.
lie used to laugh at Walter and Walter
often retorted ill-temperedly. 1t all
amounted to nothing, but L found that
these little squabbles between the two
brothers were retailed to Sir William
in an exaggerated form, till at last my
cid friend decided that Hugh should
travel on the Continent for year Cn-
der my tutorshIp.
"sWhen we returned Hugh had
grown from the mere youth to the paan,
I11lvaI nlIar than bia hroth>~