Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-01-08
sTAUNToN. VIRGINIA, FRIDAY, JANUARY s. 1885,

feeling. And woa tered Mt the strange
look in his dark eyes. They met mine
yearningly, and knew taat the dying man
had much he wishe1 to say to me; yet,
somehow I knew it wa, not about myself he
wshe Il to speek. ssoopei down close to
aim. His dry lips moved, tut could not
srticulate. He gave faint sign; his eye
ids fickerei, and all was over Whatever
were those last wor Is he wished to speak
they remained unspoken.
rose and left him. walked to the
room which was known as Mr.. Julian's
room, and, I am thenkful to say, wept
After all, this man nai given me much.
But for him I night have been consigned
to the workhouse; might now be nothing
more than a maSon's apprentice. Julian
Lorraine had at leas5 ylven me the means to
start fairly in life. Yes, he had been my
benefactor.
Ny grief, if not as deep as it should have
been, was really sinrere. was some time
before I began to reflect as to the lmme-
diate consequences his death would bring
to myself. 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 was
known to me, I hal asked him to reduce
it. The right I presumed to claim fell far
short of this Mr. Lorraine told me scorn-
fully not to bother h m about money mat
tiers; so had been unable to follow out the
plan which had la d down-o Of taking from
HIM only sufficient for my needs. Never-
theless, had not spent 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
I expected moth 'ng. Who were his heirs,
or to whom his wealth would be left, were
matters about which troubled little. Now
that Julian Lorraine was dead, could with
full heart thank him 'or all he had done
for me. Then l could resign his name
and force my owl wav in the world.
HIS solicitor cam, down al gave instruc-
tions concerning the funeral. He di this
at my request Knowing that shortly I
should be an alien in the house, l would
assume no RESPONSIBILITY. The only order
gave was that every thing should be done
quietly and simply. I knew the dead mans
ideas about conventional obsequies.
The funeral over, we looked for the will
would not have paper moved until then.
We soon found it.
Mot that it makes much difference, I
suspect" said the solicitor, 'you being his
only son."
H. was opening the envelope as he spoke.
said nothing.
Shortest will I ever read" said the
solicitor; ''made by himself, too but all
quite right and legal"
He handed the paper to me. read:
II bequeath all my real and personal
estate to my adopted son Jul an, commonly
known as Julian Loraine.n
This, duly signed and witnessed, was Mr.
Loraine's WILL. sank on chair, feeling
dizzy and confused. Mr.. Lorraine dead was
a greater puzzle to me than Mr. Lorraine
living. By few words-dashei off, it
MIGHT be, on Tue spur OF the moment-he
had left me all his wealth. Was it from
affection, sense of justice, cynicism, or
wha.l
II did not know you were an adopted son,
Mr.. Julian" said the lawyer, in tones of
surprise
YES" I said, collecting myself. 'Do
you think I shall be righ5 in accepting this
beque'ts"
why not!'
sAre there no close relativesa Although
passed as his son, know so little about
him"
81 suspect know less. But never heard
Mr.. Lorraine speak of any relatives. His
adoption of you proves you entitled to the
money"
l sat in deep thought. It was all SO
strange, so SUI iden.
by the by, Mr.. Julian" said the solicit
tor, without wishing to intrute my ad vice,
should, it were in your place, say nothiny
to let people know was not Mr.. Loraine's
son. He evidently wished it to be thought
you WERE l fancy that by saying nothing
you will best carry ou5 his wishes. I my
self shall keep silence on the matter"
weighed his counse., and at last, rightly
or wrongly, decided to follow 1t. No one
could be harmed by my continuing to pass
as the dead mans son. The fact of his hav-
ing eft me all his wealth showed, or fam
c.ed IL showed, that he looked upon me as
son; SO buried the story Of the shpwreck
in my own breas5, and was still Mr.. Lorraine,
of Hers.al Abbey.
staid my time at Oxford; I took nv de-
gree. After this went abroad for many
months. l let Herstai Abbey, as had no
need of such larg, place. When Returned
to Englaad I led the usual life, no better nor
no worse, OF young man Of fortune
Three years after the death OF Julian
Lorraine fell in love.