The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-07-26

would fall in love with your daughter. Ii
has happened. did not say to him, Go to
England; go to Boscombe Lodge, Sevenoaks,
AMI make a friend Of my nephew Richard.
and there behold II fresh and budding type
OF English beauty in the person OF my
nephew Richards charming daughter Eu-
Eice.' l might have said as much, having,
before 1 loft England, received u picture of
your daughter, for which, think, have not
thanked you, and in which 1 Idiscerned IL bud
that would blossom into a rare lovcliness;
but did Say to friend Mortlock, Nephew
Richard has IL daughter; 1t is time you should
settle down. What 1 hoped has come to
pass. and approve"
"What you ,k," said, sis impossible"
"How impossibler'
"Euni.e does not love Mr.. Mortlock. Her
heart Is given to another"
"To whom2"
"To Harry Clanronald."
"a childish fancy" said my uncle, (which
will soon pass away. She cannot marry
him."
''She can" I said firmly. land shall"
'She must not. Nephew Richard"
"Shs must uncle. She Is pledged. know
the nature Of my child. She will never wed
another"
He did not lose his temper, but I saw
change come over his face. His sharp eyes
grew sharper and smaller, and this diminish
Ing sign, il may so express 1t, distinguished
all his features. His wizened face grew still
moro wizened, his mouth seemed to con-
tract, his nostrils to become thinner, and
when he spoke again his voice was cold, clear
and precise, and seemed to come through
lips OF steel.
Nephew Richard, was right when said
We do not know much OF each other. Even
/ had not set my heart upon this match,
would never consent to your daughter marry
Ing young Mr.. Clanronald but I have set my
heart upon it, and il you are prudent you will
range yourself on my side. You shall not be
In tho dark whichever way you decide. Twill
be very-I trust not painfully-explicit. tits
In no patty or boastiul mood that I soy I
have behaved we'll to you and yours"
"You have behaved, sir" said I, "most lib
orally, most generously. A lifetime OF graf
itude could not repay YOU"
~ will be content with less, he said, dryly.
"There Is not much merit in what I have
done; what you have received from me 7
could we'll spare. In all my life I have really
loved but one human being-your mother.
my only sister. When your father fell into
misfortune resolved upon my course; and
once resolved, Nephew Richard, 1t needs, In
deed a powerful reason to move mo. Oblige me
by unlocking my despatch-box." He paused
occasionally, as Iattended to his instructions.
Beneath the cash box are some papers tied
round with red tape. Bring them forward.
Lawyers papers, Nephew Richard. Look the
box again. Unite the papers. and take from
them the largest and most important. tits my
will You may read it If you tke."
"Excuse me, sir. shall feel more at my
ease II do not"
"As you please. 1t Is my will, making you
my heir to the greater portion of my prop
erty. For what I have done for -you-for
what have cheerfully and ungrudgingly
done, / have never asked from you the least
return I have never requested you to rem
der me- the slightest favor. For the first and
only time ask now q favor at your hands
give your consent to the union OF your daugh.
ter with Friend Mortloek."
II cannot. SIR"
"Weigh we'll your words, Nephew Richard.
consequences Of your refusal will be that !
shull destroy this will, making another per-
son my heir. To you and yours not one shil-
ling; nor shall you ever receive another shil.
ling Of my money"
My heart tainted within me; absolute beg
gary stared me In the face; and with thai
beggary, as it seemed to me. disgrace.
"I regret" continued my uncle, "that ]
should have been forced into speaking 50
plainly. give you till tomorrow morning te
reflect, to talk over the matter with your
wife, if you care to do 30. Till then We will
speak no further upon the subject. What l
have resolved upon Is irrevocable. and there
is nothing surer in life than that you and
have done with each other forever II you
then determine to oppose my wishes. Oblige
me now by leaving me- At this hour Of the
day always seek little repose."
saw that it would not improve matters II
1 remained with him; therefore left him
and sought my wife.
"What has happened2" she asked, In O
voice Of alarm. She read the news In my
face.
'The worst" replied.
told her all, and, cast down and despair
ing as she was, she said that had acted
right.
"Do you roallze what it meansI" / said
"Me shall have to quit this place at once; we
shall be thrown upon the world to stnrver
And then started up. and paced the room
in state Of terrible excitement, saying that
it was monstrous such a blow should be
dealt us by u feeble old man.
FFeeble and DID," repeated, vAcantly
"yes, feeble and old. He is over seventy. II
he should die tonightP The words froxe
upon my lips.
"Richard |" cried my wife.
"God forgive me-" said; "I know not
what am saying. But It shall not-shall
not-sh all not bep
All her sweet efforts were powerless tc
calm me; in uncomfortable agitation rushed
from her presence.
How the day passed I can scarcely recall.
Iknow that my wife sent note by hand to
Harry Clanronald, requesting him not to
come to our house this evening. know
we, Mdlle. Rosalie. Mr.. Wilmot, and Mr.
Mortlock, dined together. and that was
forced to play the part of host. know thai
the three whose names have written wert
full OF sparkle AMI animation, while we wer,
moody and silent. I know that Mdlle. 10
salio and Mr.. Mortloek played and sang
Ard hnn hn irItN oil