The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-10-29

Tor Lady Aramlnta living, but if she
has really done her duty as godmother
by putting you down in her will for
handsome sum am quite willing that
you should get up any amount of
enthusiasm for her virtue. But, seri-
ously, do you think it likely she has
done so?"
81 think it just possible she may"
said Mrs. Valletort, looking thought
fully at the flowers on the table. IL
wish had written to her oftener."
1t is no good regretting anything
of that sort now, my dear. We shall
probably hear in Il day or two from her
solicitors-that is, if you are really
down for legacy"
ut will be wonderful piece of luck
If am" remarked his wife, stirring
her coffee thoughtfully. "Weare dread.
fully short of money just now"
"Capt. Valletort assented.
ado you think we could raise any.
thing on my expectations?" said Lila.
looking up brightly.
IL am afraid not. Old Morris made
no end of difficulty about the last ad-
vance,"
Mrs Valletort's pretty face clouded.
but only for moment: her native
ightheartedness soon reasserted itself.
and all that morning she employed
herself in rearing magnificent Spanish
castle on no more substantial founda-
ton than that afforded by the brief an
nouncement in the Times.
Some days later long blue envelope,
addressed in neat legal handwriting.
was among the heterogeneous heap of
letters. invitations and bills Mrs.
Valletort found awaiting her when
she came down to breakfast.
"Oh, Ned, congratulate mel" she ex-
claimed, rapturously, when she had
mastered the contents of the letter.
"That dear, sweet old thing has &C
tually-"
LEFT you some money! interrupted
the captain eagerly. "My dearest
Lila"
"No. not money, but-her diamonds
positively all her diamonds" The
little woman's eyes sparkled as she
glanced triImphantly at her husband.
1.-THE celebrated Belchambre diamonds.
They are magnificent know for I
have often heard my mother speak of
them"
For moment the captains face fen,
but he soon remembered that a fine
collection of diamonds represents a
very fine sum OF money. His wlfe's
legacy was not then. to be despised.
"What do you think they are worth?"
he asked. suddenly
ooh! l don't know: thousands and
thousands ofpounds. should imagine"
replied MS wife. vaguely. "Neu, just
think how we'll I shall look in them. 1
have so few jewels, and"
"My dear girl, you don't mean to say
that you intend toto keep Them" he
gasped, as the dreadful possibility
dawned on his mind that Lila might
elect not to turn her costly legacy into
hard cash.
"Of course mean to keep them."
she retorted coolly. ooh. Ned, you
don't-want me TOTO sell them, do
your" she added piteously. as the cap
tain's brows drew together ominously,
and an unpleasant light came into his
eyes.
"You will do as you like, of course"
he replied. irritably. "They will be
yours and not mine. But how any
woman can care to deck herself out
with diamonds worth several thousand
pounds when she knows what it is
to want money passes my comprehen-
SION"
Mrs. Valletort was usually the most
docile of wives; but she resented her
husbands angry words, and was trebly
determined to hold her own in this
matter. The captain saw that it would
be useless to argue with her, so he
turned away with half contemptuous
Shrug of the shoulders. and muttered
anathema on the folly of women in
general and of his spouse in particu-
lar. 1t was really too bad of Lila; a
few thousand pounds would have set
him on his financial feet again.
In due course, after the numerous