Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-09-04

cAS' WI. ' lHceut was IN 1alnng nealthj IN
TACT was dying of consumption, but his
urooplng energies seemed to revive when.
the word came that the epssa- house reople
in Boston desired him TO go there at once
to supertntend preliminary hearing of his
opera.
Inez was to remain for the present in
New York. Maurice Arlington never for.
got her deep emotion as she thanked him
with tears for all his kindness, as she told
him how happy he had made her father,
how her lifes devotion was his for all his
benevolence and care in their behalf.
1t was the first time after leaving her
that evening that Arlington realized his
emotion.
He was amazed to find what comfort and
happiness these two people had brought of
late into his life, and vague sense of deep
regard for the beautiful Inez caused him to
wonder if he had not involuntarily fallen
in love with her.
But rude shock to this vision came be-
fore the evening had passed away.
strange revelation was made that very
hour which so materially changed all his
plans of life that he was dazed and bewil-
dered at its sudden manifestation.
The Office of his dead uncle was located
in the family mansion of James Rossiter,
and here Arlington resided.
Usually, when he returned home in the
evening, Blanche Marvin had completed
her work and gone home.
Upon the evening in question, somewhat
to his surprise, as he entered the house, he
noticed a light in the office, and went thith-
er to ascertain its cause.
Seated in the room, and apparently wait
ing for some one, was Miss Marvin.
You here, Miss Marvin?" said Arling-
ton. "You have remained late this even
ing"
There was peculiar look in the woman's
face as she replied:
Yes, Mr.. Arlington, have been waiting
for YOU"
For me? Some business concerning
the tenements
mo, it is something that concerns your
self. Mr.. Arlington, please be seated, and
prepare for rather unpleasant revela-
ton"
Arlington obeyed her, silently, repres-
sively.
Her eyes were filled with an expression
he could not mistake. Ardent, longing
love trembled on her lips as she said, in o
low, unsteady voice:
"Mr. Arlington, YOU know that my re-
gard for you has always been more of
friendly character than of the nature Of
mere duty"
"You have certainly been most consider
ate in relieving me of much of the annoy
ing details Of the tenement leases, Miss
Marvin, replied Arlington courteously Y, yet
wonderngly.
For you personally I could not resist
trying to do more than my duty. For your
sake, now, Mr.. Arlington, l am going TO
make great sacrifice
lie stared at her in bewiltlerment.
81 do not understand you," he said
VI hen let me ask you this question:
You have a cousin, resident of the far
West, named Ernest Travis?"
Eyes, but | have not seen him for years."
He is, except yourself, your uncle's
nearest relative. He was here few years
ago. He asked me to become his wife. did
not love him, and refused him."
"And now?"
snow l have made discovery which
would tempt most women, for Ernest
Travis is heir to an immense fortune"
The woman came nearer to Arlington,
her dark, earnest eyes beaming ardently
upon him.
"Mr. Arlington" she said, "the fortune
that is left to your cousin he knows moth.
ing o." :.
of.
"He will never hear of it, if you say the
word"
Il, Miss Marvin? What is this mys.
tery?"
II alone know that Ernest Travis is heir
to million. To bestow it upon him means
for me to rob the man / love. l can dis
gulse the truth no longer. Maurice Airing
ton, my heart is breaking for one kind
smile from you. | love you. i loved you
since the time l first saw you.\ Am l I'M
womanly? Then the vital circumstances Of
the hour so make me, for to-day l have
discovered that you are not the real heir to
the wealth of your dead uncle, James
Rossiter!"
She hal expected that Arlington would
start and pale with surprise and dismay.
Instead his calm face betrayed the very
slightest amazement, and he said steadily,
Then new will has been discovered?'
eyes, Mr.. Arlington"
"And later one?"
"Seyeral months later"
Making my cousin the heir to the Rossi-
ter estates?"
"Yes."
"Ysu discovered this will, Miss Marvin?n
81 did, to-day, among some old papers,
"Then take it at once to the family law
yer, and let Ernest Travis be notified of his
good fortune.'
and you, Mr.. Arlington"
al? Why, l will return to my art, salts
fed that wealth could never make me
happy"
blanche Marvin stood overwhelmed.
What strange man was this, who, without
tremor, heard of poverty, and faced il
inditferently!
Stay" cried Blanche, impassionately.
"Do you not understand that you and only
know of this will? Why should you beg
gar you self? Say the word Maurice Ar
lngton; make me your wife, and the world
shall never know that q second will exists"
"Are you mad? you imagine would
defraud Ernest Travis of his rights?" de-
manded Arlington, sternly. "Miss Marvin,
forget all you have said tonight, or our
business relations must cease at once"
He passed from the room as he spoke.
With batfied, crushed cry, Blanche
Marvin glared after him.
ed-defeated!" she cried wildly.
"He does not love me. So be it, then. He
shall be beggar, and will hasten to the
West, find Ernest Travis, wed him, and as
mistress of the Rossiter estates, gloat over
this miserable man who spurns my love"
Two days later all New York knew of the
discovery of this new will.
Blanche Marvin was speeding westward
to find her former lover, and now the heir
to the Rossiter fortune.
Maurice Arlington had left the mansion
as poor as he entered it, calmly, Indifferent
ly, with two pleasant memories in his heart
his love OF art, and Inez Vincent.
He had gone once to the tenements, and