The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-04
QUEEN LOFTY.


"Im in pretty plight to receive client,
declared" exclaimed the young attorney, wlp-
ing mixture of SCOT and perspiration from his
face, and rising from his suppliant posture be-
side maze of ill-ftting stove pipe.
There was no use for hesitation. Nothing
short of an hours work could make the office
or its proprietor presentable. SO heiiung open
She door, saying, simultaneously:
81 hope you will pardon the situation, but
the furnace-ahl'
Here Leon Bailey broke off his explanation
most abruptly, his court room eloquence for
saking him. for, confronting him in all her
naughty, imperious loneliness, stood Vivian
Grant, daughter of the ex-senator, whose
magnificent residence was the pride of Lyn-
brooke.
He began to stammer forth some excuse
while inviting her in, but she cut him short by
saying:
"Never mind an explanation of your mis-
hap. 1 came on business for my father, who
IS quite i'll this morning.
HE intended to call to see you this after
noon. AS he will be liable to do so he desires
you to visit him there. He seems quite nerv-
GUS and weak, and it is my wish that you come
at once. Some business matters is annoying
him deeply"
81 will see Mr.. Grant at the earliest possible
moment, he declared.
Vivian Grant vouchsafed no sign or acknowl-
edgment in return for the young attorneys
business condescension.
She did not even glance again at his begrinl-
ID face, but abruptly left the Office and returned
to the street.
SIT is no wonder that the servants at the
Grant Mansion dub Miss Vivian Queen Lofty
She is almost supercilious in her hauteur
Yet she is the only woman I ever met with
whom it We're possible for me to fall in
1ove!"
Ex-senator Grant was q man of command
ing presence. His hair and beard were prema-
surely white and, as Leon Bailey was ushered
into his presence, the young man noted hag
gard and hollow appearance of his clients
cheeks and eyes, which seemed to indicate in
tense mental suffering.
The interview that ensued explained the
ex-senator's agitation.
A financial crisis, combined with ill-consd-
cred Investments, had swept away his entire
fortune.
He placed the whole matter in the hands Of
Bailey, vaguely hoping that the latter would
suggest some way of extricating him from his
difficulty. But the young man, thoroughly
yersed in law tactics, could not offer the slight
est hope.
"Can you suggest nothing-not even an arti-
Gce-by which the crash may be averted for
the present?" asked Mr.. Grant huslzily.
''No. can do nothing, suggest nothing
Your daughter"
The ex-senator flung out one hand with
gesture of intense anguish:
''Do not speak OF her-my proud, queenly
girl who has never known what it is to have
an ungranted wish,' he cried.
The young lawyer turned away, and his heart
was filled with pity for Vivian Grant, proue
and imperious though she was.
AS he was on the point of leaving the man
sion he met her face to face.
But, somewhat to his chagrin, she swept past
him in her stately fashion, without even a sign
of recognition.
Feeling trife piqued and resentful no
strobe away from the mansion.
He had proceeded scare dozen PAGES, how
ever, when he was startled by the report of a
pistol, followed by piercing, terrified scream.
The sounds came from the Grant mansion.
Leon Bailey bounded INTO the house past
the Mortified lomestics. who had congregated
at the entrance to the library.
The ex-senator was a suicide, his tall form
lying as it had fallen in the middle OF the
COON.
''You were acquainted with all the facts of
INV poor fathers embarrassment therefore you
can tell me just how much will be left for me
after the estate is settled. 1t very painful to
consider these matters now, but l wish to
know the worst"
Two weeks had passed since the tragedy at
the Grant mansion, vet Vivian was only par
italy aware of the extent OF the ex-senator's
losses.
Bailey hesitated before answering her ques-
ton. He well knew that not dollar could be
saved from the estate, and that this queenly
girl was little else than a penniless orphan,
without even the experience necessary for her
60 earn her own living.
"There will be but a trihe left, Miss Grant.
1t may be necessary for you to seek some
means Of self-support, unless you have friends
who willing and able to help you. Perhaps-I
,-ss bum sc.l Il l1anu
for you. That is the best that can be done,
small as the sum mn It seem to you'll"
"She shall never know that even the six or
seven hundreds woich 1 shall save for her are
from my own savings instead OF the insolyent
estate of her father, was the mental resolu-
tion Of the young attorney, as Vivian Grant
and the sunlight vanished from his dingy little
office
'Mr Bailey, wish to ask you about GER
tain dreadful rumor which came to my eors
today"
She was pale, anxious, and hes tones were
full OF intense ea9einess.
Leon Bailey stood before her, his handsome
face full of solcitude.
0What is the rumor, Miss Grant?" he
asked
"You, in whom have placed implicit con-
Adence, assured me that few hundred dollars
would remain after the settlement Of my faith
er's estate. Today WIS told that not dol
lar was saved. Whose statement fhail be-
lieveY
IL fear that am guilt Of misrepresenta-
tion, for which most bumbly plead for your
pardon. Please do not BIS angry. would
Father have sacrificed my very life than to see
one SO beautiful and innocent as yourself cast
upon the mercy OF strangers" he exclaimed.
Slowly she rose to her feet, and in low, in
tense voice she cried;
81 see it all now! You pitied me, and per-
formed a noble act Of silent charity and sacri-
fee
''You are a noble. kingly man, Leon Bailey
and l. in my giperiars pride and hauteur, must
have seemed o lss cable being in the eyes Of
one SO unseihsh as ycu. But l am humbled
now. Can you forgive me?"
The heart Of the young lawyer gave bound
OF inhuite Joy. And last he found voice 70
speak. He confessed everything aud the love
which lie guarded 50 ylgilantly until now lent
his tongue an el94uence such as it had never
possessed before.
Tic proud, icy 5piritof Viviant Grant yielded
and her woman's heart triumphed, filling her
whole future with , Joy which Was Like Tao
sweet refrain Of holy song.-New YORK WoEld'