Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-12-05
Lorraine had at least given me the means to
start fairly in life. Yes, he had been my

Lorraine had at least given me the means to
start fairly in life. Yes, he had been my
benefa ctor.
My grief, if not as deep as it should have
been, was really sincere. II was come time
before l began to reflect as to the imme-
date consequences his death would bring
to my sell. l had money in hand, for the
allowance made me by Mr.. Lorraine had al
ways been an ample one-so large, indeed,
that when the truth Of my birth wal
known to me, I had asked him to reduce
it. The right [ presumed to claim fell far
short Of this. Mr.. Lorraine told me scoru-
fully not to bother him about money mat
tiers; so l had been unable to follow out the
plan WHICH I had laid down-of taking from
him only sufficient for my needs. Never
thelesS lhai not spont the surplus, and it
would now serve me In completing my edu-
cation. From him l expected nothing. I
had shown him. both by act and word. that
! expected nothing. Who were his heirs,
or to whom his wealth would be left, were
that Julian Lorraine vas dead, I could with
a full heart thank him for ali he had done
for me. Then I could resign his name
and force my own way in the world.
His solicitor came down all gave instruc-
tions concerning the funeral. He dill this
at my request. Knowing that shortly I
should DO an alien in the house. l would
assume no responsibility. The only order I
gave was that everything should be done
quietly and simply. know the lead mans
ideas about conventional ~obsequ!es.
The funeral over, we looked for the will.
| woull not have a paper moved until then.
We soon found it.
Not that it makes much difference. l
suspect said the solicitor, 'you being his
onl; son."
H was opening the envelop, as be spoke.
l said nothing.
'Shortas5 will I ever rsa1," said tn.
solicitor; made by himself, too, but all
quite right AMI legal"
He handed the paper to me. Tread:
II lequeath ell my real and personal
e~tate to my adop'ed son Jul an, commonly
known az Julian L,:ain,."
This, duly signel aud witnessed, was IL.
Lorain;@s W II. Isank on a chair, feeling
dizzy and confused. M. Lorraine lead was
a greater puzzle to me Than Mr.. Loru.n,
living. BY a few w~ords-dashei off, il
mi, hit he, on the spur o. the momont-ha
hal LETT ma all his wealth. Was it from
affection, sense Of %jussice, cynicism, or
what
Ibid not know you ware an adopt,l son,
Mr.. Julian" sad the lawyer, In tones OF
surprise.
YES" 1 said, collecting myself .Do
you think Ishau be riga5 In accepting thus
beque,tf'
why notf'
'Are there no close relativesi Although
passed az his SON., know so little about
him"
at c,,e,ook r L., o-u , d. -,
Mr.. Lorraine speak Of any relatives. His
adoption of you proves you entitled to the
money"
/ sat in deep thought. 1t was all 90
strange. so Sill idcn.
by tho by, Mr.. Julian" said the solici.
tor, "witlout wishing to intrute my advice.
l should, ii were in your place, say notllin .
to let people know I was not Mr.. Loraine's
son. Ho evidently WISHED it to be though;
you were. fancy that BY saying nothing
you will hest carry out his wishes, l nv.
self shall keep silence on the matter"
l weighed his counsel, and at last, rightly
or wrongly, decided to follow it. No one
could be harmed by my continuing to mas;
as the dead mans son. The fact of his hav.
ing left me- all his wealth showed, or I fan.
cied it showed, that he looked upon me as a
SON; SO I buried the story of the shipwreck
i'll my " breast, and was still Mr.. Lorraine,
of Herstal Abbey.
lstaid my time at Oxford; I took nv de-
gree. After this I went abroad for MANY
months. 1let Herstal Abby, as had no
need Of such a large place. When Ireturned
to England l led tho usual life, no better nor
No worse, OF a young man Of fortune.
Three years after the death OF Julian
Lorraine l fell in love.