The Irish standard., 1888-02-11
her book OF prayers would fall to tn
lot Of Anne, VINO had the last choice.

tnat! inquired the notary.
i conclude she meant to intimate to
her sister that repentance and prayer
were the only help tha5 she had to ex-
peot in this world
As she finished these words, Madame
de Viileboys made a definite selection
OF the ready money for her share. Mon
sieur Vatry, as may be easily imagined,
selected the chateau furniture and Jew
els as his lot.
Monsieur Vatry,' said NJ. Dubois to
that gentleman, even suppose it had
been the intention of the deceased to
punish her sister, it would be noble on
your part. millionaire as you are, to
give up at least portion Of your share
to Anne, who wants it 80 much
Thanks for your kind advice, dear
SIR replied Vatry; 'the mension is sltu-
ated on the very confines Of my woods.
ana suits me admirably, all the more 80
as it is ready furnished. AS to the
Jewels Of Sister Egerie, they are re-
miniseence which one ought never to
part with
fSince it is So, said the notary, my
poor Madame Anne, here is the prayer
book that remains to you
Anne, attended by her son, o hand
some boy with blue eyes, took her sis-
ters old prayer book, and making her
son kiss it after her she said:
Hector, kiss this book which be-
longed to your poor aunt, who is dead,
but who would have loved you we'll had
che known you. When you haye
learned to read, you will pray to heaven
TO make you WISE and good as your
father was, aud happier than your un~
fortunate mother
The eyes of those who were present
were filed with tears, Notwithstanding
their eGffvrt 81 to preserve au appearances OF
indifference.
The child embraced the old book with
ooyish fervor, aud opening it afterward-
90! mama he said, what pretty
pictures
Indeed = said the mother, happy in
the gladness Of her boy.
Yes. The good Virgin in a blue
dress, holding the infant Jesus in her
arms. But why, mama, has silk paper
been put upon the picture? :?
$50 that they might not be injured,
my dear
Bat mans, why ere there ten silk
papers TO each engra7ing?
The mother locked, and uttesing
sudden shrek, she fell into the arnas OF
w. Dubois, tte notary. who addressing
those present, eaid
leave her alone, it won't be much;
people DON'T die OF such shocks. AS for
you, little one,' addressing Hector,
give me that prayer~book, you will
tSc1L VIC Gig t:1FAhEoSs
The inheritors Withdrew, making va
rious conjec5ures as to tbs cause or
Anne'a sudden illness, and the interest
which she notary took III her. "A month
afterward they met Anne aud her son,
exceedingly we'll, yet not e1travayant'y,
dressed taking an airing III & two-horse
chariot This led them to make in-
quiries, aud they ascertained that Ma
dame Aune had recently purchased g.
residence for one hundred and eighty
thousand francs, and that she was Civ
ing 6rst-rate education to her son.
The news came like thunderbolt upon
them. Madame de Villeboys and NJ. de
Vatry decided to call upon the notary
to ask for explanations. The good Du-
bois WAS working at his desk.
Perhaps We are disturbing you?' said
che arrogant old lady.
mo matter. I was in the act of set
fling a purchase in the state funds for
Madame Anne.
what 7 exclaimed VatrY, tafter pur-
chasing house and equipages. she has
still money to invest 2
Undoubtedly So
'But where did the money come
from p
What did you not see J.
'When?'
when she shrieked on seeing what
the inherited prayer-b book contained,
I'VE observed nothing,
sOh! I thought you saw it, said the
sarcastic notary, 'that prayer book con-
tanned sixty engravings, and each en-
craving was covered bY ten notes Of a
thousand francs each.
Good Heavens = exclaimed Vatry,
thunderstruclz.
I'll had only known it, shouted Ma
dame de Vi]leboys.
you had the choice, added the no.
tary, 'and I myself urged you TO take
the prayer book, but you refused