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

"See hour you haze changed life for me-"
"Ah! yes; greatly, no doubt. l wonder
what you woul have been nowF
Tell me what am now"
$50 far as l know, young man of 10,
thoroughly we'll educated, goo Hooking,
full of church and state principles. Why,
the rector stopped me yesterday and assured
me you were one of the finest young fellows
he ever knew; quite a credit to the county"
This banter seemed to stab me.
Tell me, sir" l sail, Sought to thank
YOU for what you have done for meg
Personally, hate expressions of graft
tude; but If it gives you any satisfaction,
thank me by all means"
mo; l do not thank you. Had YOU
placed me in some humble position, suited
to nv birth, and let me make my wav in
the world, could have thanked you. But
for years to let me be called your son; why
did you do it, sirF'
II had some reason at the time. almost
forget it,
.Mr Lorraine, 1 have thought it all
over"
$50 you told me, Julian Go on"
"You may laugh at me, but 1 consider
that have great claim upon you"
He simply raised his eyebrows, but did
not QeQV INV aSSeTUlOu.
"You have kept me in ignorance for
years." 1 continued, speaking quickly.
.'You have brought me up and let me 90
out in the world under false colors Now
Just as l enter upon manhood you tell me
who am, or rather who l am not Why
you did this, you alone know. You had
some reason for it. In return, l have a
right to dsman something"
'Demani A right Never mind Go
on"
had expected an outburst of rage. His
calm encouraged me.
Eyes, sir; ask that may be allowed to
finish N course at Oxford. Then, when l
have taken my degree, l will go and earn
my own living as best | can. | shall. of
course, now cali myself by some other Fame,
Can you suggest one!
Mr.. Lorraine laughed a curious laugh. Il
like fellows who demand better than those
who beg he sail. Go back 10 college bv
all means. AS to name, is not Julian
Lorraine good enough for yous You are per-
fectlv welcome to use ii"
'R t 1t is not mine"
Never mini; use it. l choose that Won
shall use it so long as you are dependent on
ME. also choose you to be Thought my
son. No'-he saw me about to spaak-''I
L
You may lie sure that it will be no him
drance 90 your future, being thought rich
mans son. Besides, hate changes. Now.
don't talk any more You have demanded:
l have acce led. Go away
Puzzled and dissatisfied, l left him. I
had fully per iuaded myself that | had a
right to claim what l had claimed from
him. 1t was also not hard for me- to learn
to think that if it was Mr.. Loraine's wish
that SHOULD still pass as his son and bear
his NAME it was my duty to do so. Be-
sides-remember, | was but a boy. and 50
need not be ashamed of the truth Win all
my assume indap ,nlence, the thought of
prociaiming my hum! le al unknown par.
entaee TO my frleldi Va gall and worm.
wood to m. 10 st'',- rom the position
which | held as AIR. Lora.ne's son to that of
no one at all was a casnge greater than
could picture to myself with equauimity.
So | objected no more; AMI as NJ Lorraine
sternly forbade the subject being reopen
ed, my life, in spite of its clouded future.
went on IN It's accustomed groove
He e, to avoid any misea ling, | may saw
that al ever learned about nv tue parent.
age was what Mr.. Lorraine told me. VINO
and what was my ll-fated mother I know
no more than l know for what reason NV
reputed father allowed me to be brouq hit I'M
a his sau
The terms and the vacations went bv.
did not. during the latter see great deal
OF Mr.. Loraina, nor did he press me to spend
the time at Hers5al Abbey. But a certain
feeling, II not oil gratitude, of what seemed
right and proper. in1uced me to stay there
ON several occasions. There was really little
apparent change in the relations between
Mr. Lorraine and myself. What change
tnere mlght be was perhaps for the better.
L was accepting his benefits, but accepting
tnem because L considered J. had right 20
them. Moreover, l was determined that.
"hen the time came, 1 would be quite indie
pendent of his favor. l endeavorad now
and again to show him my feeling, on this
point; and, in spite of the mockinr smile
with which hs received my hints. I do not
think he likel me the less. lam not sure
out In time sincere friendship mirht have
sprung up between us; for, whatever NAV
nave been Julian Loraine's inner nature.
"nen he chose to meet any one on terms Of
equantv and companionship he could make
nimSeit one of tbs most charming men in
tue world His talk, although dangerous
and bi ter, WIS witty AMI brilliant.
But time would not allow this incip;ent
teenng TO geow up. Just after my twenty
nrst birthday Twas summoned in hot haste
from Oxford. Mr.. Lorraine was diving.
reached Herstal Abbey Just in time.
My benefactor-ves, l must call him So
was just sensible, but speeches.. 1 bent
over him and took his hand His fingers
gave mine faint pres nire. Even at that
solemn moment wondered at this show of
feeling And 1 wondered at the strange
look In bis dark eyes. Thsy met mine
yearningiy, and knew that the dying man
had much he wished to say to me; vet
somehow knew Il was not about mysef he