Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-03-06

wished to speak stopped down close to
him. His dry lips moved, Tut could not
articulate He gave a faint sigh; his eye-
lids fiickerei, and all was over. Whatever
were those last words he wished to speak
they remained unspoken.
I ros, and left him. I walked to the
room which was known as Mr.. Julians
room. and, / am thankful to say, wept.
After all, this man mad given me much.
But for him l might have BEEN consigned
to the workhouse; might now be nothing
more than a mason's apprentice. Julian
Lorraine had at least given 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 sincere. 1t was some time
before l began to reflect as to the imme-
date 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, had asked him to reduce
it. The right presumed to claim fell far
short of this Mr.. Lorai told me scorn-
fully not to bother him about money mat
tiers; so l had been unable to follow out the
plan which had laid down. 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.
had shown him. both by act and word. that
l expected nothing. 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 for all ne had done
for me- Then I could resign mis- name
and force my own way in the world.
His solicitor came down aud gave instruc-
tions concerning the funeral. He dill this
at my request. Knowing that shortly l
should be an alien in the house, l would
assume no responsibility. The only order I
quietly and simply. Iknew the dead mans
ideas about conventional obseques.
The funeral over, we looked for the will.
l would not have paper moved until then.
We soon found it.
Not that it makes much difference, l
suspect" said the solicitor, "you being his
onlf SON"
H was opening the envelope as he spoke.
/ said nothing.
Shortest will l ever read" said the
solicitor; made by himself, too, but all
quite RIGHT and legal"
He handed the paper to me. read:
Il tequeath all my real and personal
estate to nv adopted son Jul an, commonly
known as Julian Lorraine"
This, duly signed and witnessed, was Mr..
Lorainas IL I sank on chair, feeling
dizzy and confused Mr.. Lorraine dead was
a greater puzzle to me than Mr.. Lorraine
living. By few words-dashe1 off, it
might be, on the spur of the moment-he
had left me all his wealth. Was it from
affection, sense of justice, cynicism, or
what!
Il did not know you were an adopted son,
Mr. Julian" sad the lawyer, in tones of
surprise.
you think shall be right in accepting this
beque'tF'
why notW
'Are there 40 close relativesa Although
Ipassed 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"
1 sat in deep thought. 1t was all SO
strange, so sudden.
by the by Mr.. Julian" said the solicit
tor, without wishing to intruie nv advice,
should, it were in your place, say nothing
to let people know 1 was not Mr.. Loraine's
son. He evidently wished it to be thought
you were. fancy that bv saying nothing
you will best carry out his wishes. l my
self shall keep silence on the matter
weighed his counsel, and at last, rightly
or wrongly, decided to follow it. No one
could be harmed by my continuing to pass
as the dead mans son. The fact of his bav-
ing left me all his wealth showed, or fan
ciei il showed, that he looked upon me as a
son: so buried the story of he s,lipwreck
in my own breast, and was still Mr.. Lorraine,
of Herstal Abbey.
lstaid my time at Oxford / took my de-
gree. After this | went abroad for many
months le Herstal Abby, a [ had no
need of suca iarg place When returned
to England 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.