Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1886-08-19

then he had led precarious career, devot
ing much time to the composition of al
opera, song from which Arlington ha(
heard the first day he saw them.
Within two weeks the young man haC
become welcome guest at the home o.
the composer, and the lovely Inez hat
learned TO greet his coming with flush o.
conscious delight.
The old composer seemed TO have bu
one hope in life-to produce his opera.
1t certainly was q wonderful compost.
hon, and Maurice Arlington determined t.
assist him in his laudable designs.
Through friend in Boston he secured
Tor 1t hearing at ON opera house in thai
city. Mr.. Vincent was in failing health, in
fact was dying of consumption, but his
dropping energies seemed TO revive when
the woId came that the opera house people
in Boston desired him 10 go there at once
TO superintend q preliminary hearing of his
opera.
Inez was to remain for the present in
New York. Maurice Arlington never for
got her deep emotion as sho thanked him
with tears for oil his kindness, as she told
him how happy he had made her father,
how her life's devotion was his for all his
benevolence and care in their behalf.
1t was tho 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 a rude shock to this vision came be-
fore the evening had passed away.
| SfranOa ravalafinp xuao roo1a that x,a,.,
hour which SO materially changed all his
plans OF life that he was dazed and bewil-
dered mt 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 Lis surprise, as he entered the house. hu
noticed 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 hero, Miss Marvin" said Arling-
ton. "You have remained late this even
ing"
There was peculiar look in the woman's
face rs 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 filed 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
fntre tiury'.
"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, yet
wonderingly.
"For you personally l could not resist
trying 10 do more than my duty. For your
sake, now, Mr.. Arlington, l am going TO
make great sacrifice"
He stared at her in bewildcrment.
II do not understand you" he said.
"Then let me ask you this question:
You have a cousin, q resident of the far
West, named Ernest Travisp"
"Yes, 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?"
"Now / 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.
that is left to your cousin he knows moth
ing Of"
"Then it is legacy he has never heard
Off"
"He will never hear of it, if you say the
word"
"I, Miss Maryinp What is this mys-
tery2"
IL alone know that Ernest Travis is heir
TO q million. To bestow it upon him means
for me to rob the man L love. can dis
guise the truth no longer. Maurice Arling-
ton, my heart is breaking for one kind
smile from you. / love you. l loved you
since the time l first saw you. Am un-
womanlyp Then the vital circumstances of
the hour so make me, for to-day have
discovered that you are not the real heir to
the wealth of your dead uncle, James
Rossiter'
She had 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 a new will has been discovered5"
ayes, Mr.. Arlington"
"And later one?"
"Several months later"
Making my cousin the heir to the Rossi-
ter estates?"
Eyes"
"You discovered this will, Miss Marvin2"
Il did, to-day, among some old papers"
Then take 1t Mt once TO the family lGw-
yer, and let Ernest Travis be notified of his
good fortune"
"And you, Mr.. Arlington?"
"Ip Why, will return TO my art, salts
fed that wealth could never make me
happy" ~, -,
What strange man was this, who, without
n uemor, heard of poverty, and faced it
indiffcrentlyl
"Stayw cried Blanche, impassionntely.
"Do you not understand that you and / only
know Of this will? Why should you beg
gar yourself2 Say the word, Maurice Ar
lington; make me your wife, and the world
shall never know that second will exists"
"Are you mad2 Do you imagine would
defraud Ernest Travis of his rights2" de-
manded Arlington, sternly. "Miss Marvin,
forget all you have said tonight, or our
business relations must cease ut once"
He passed from the room as he spoke.
With bafled, crushed cry, Blanche
Marvin glared after him.
"Foiled-defentod!" she cried wildly.
"He does not love me. So be it, then. He
shall be q beggar, and will hasten 10 the
West, find Ernest Travis, we'd him, and as