The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-11-13
FAMILY PRIDE.

Voissy; but he had one failing, out
of which some years back, he was
most artfully beguiled. Gerald's |
grand weakness was family pride.
He belonged to am aristocratic |
French family, the members of
which babe adieu to France about a
century ago, with a view to making
a home and wealth in this country.
A love of the old name had been
handed down from father to son,
and one of the boasts of the De Vols
sys was that no plebean blood ever
mingled with theirs.
AT the same time Gerald had not
fortune enough to keep up the ideas
of grandeur which had been part of
his education. He and l led q Bo-
hemian sort of life, for both had
adopted the same profession-art.
We worked in studio which was
the most inartistic place you ever
saw, and our rooms adjoined each
other on the same floor. How I
loved our old studio, right at the
top of the house which commands
good view of Central Park!
From the windows we could watch
the autumn turning the trees into
crimson and gold, or the delicate
touch of spring tinting the foliage
with those fresh, delicious shades
which we love to reproduce on can
vas. Then our room was curious
medley of half-fnished sketches,
painting materials, old armor hang
ing on the walls, curiously wrought
fabrics strewn here and there, in the
windows our easels bedaubed with
patches of every possible color.
We were both making rapid sue
cess in our profession. l worked
hard for the sake of Alice, a darling,
blue-eyed girl, who had promised to
make me happy some day. Gerald
worked from pure ambition, for he
had good expectations from his rela-
tions.
The kindest friend in the house
was the janitor's wife, good, respec-
table woman, but in very reduced
circumstances. She granted us
many little privileges, and was al
ways willing to render us any small
service in her power.
One morning our quiet life was in
terrupted by the arrival of a black
edged letter for Gerald DE Voissy,
which bore the French postmark.
Itannounced the death of an aunt.
He had not met the old lady for
years so l did not expect to see
him go into paroxysms of grief on
hearing of her decease but l was
rather surprised to see the look Of
delight that overspread his features
as he read the last page of the letter.
elbow can you be so heartless," l
exclaimed, "as to look pleased over
such q sad event ?"
"Well, it is an awful shame" re-
piled Gerald, looking penitent, "but
my dear old boy do congratulate me
l am left heir to the greatest portion
of my aunt's fortune, somewhere
near three thousand dollars a year.
This letter is from one of her neph-
ews. He tells me my aunt's gener-
osity arose from the fact that my
mother was her favorite sister, and
not from any personal interest in
myself, as she never saw me since l
was a schoolboy."
81 sincerely rejoice at your good
fortune, Gerald, and there Is no fel-
low who deserves it better than you
do," / replied as ! grasped his hand
and shook it warmly.
"Well, then, let us celebrate the
day by takin a holiday" he cried.
ave will run down to Long Branch,
and then you will have chance of
seeing your finance"
Such an offer was too tempting to
be refused, for | knew Alice and her
parents were staying there. So we
gladly closed our untidy studio and
prepared to enjoy our day on the
sands at Long Branch
As we went down stairs we stop
ped q few moments to speak TO the
good-souled Mrs. Robbins, the house
keeper, already alluded to, for Ger
aid was eager to acquaint her with
with his good fortune. He had
however, scarcely begun to speak
before the rustic of a lady's dress
was heard, and In an instant 9
young girl brushed past him ant
threwher arms affectionately arount
Mrs. Robbins neck.
"How are you, dear mother ?" sh,
cried, in a sweet, soft voice. 81 an
so glad to come back to you"
The good old woman kissed he
repeatedly, while Gerald looked ol
in admiration and surprise at tn