Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-08-02
HER INHERITANCE.

tIcin DlluBs put thO iONtSA 0N
lust finished reading beside her
plate.
II was startled aud surprised,
dear. Our pleasant home, Kate,
must open to admit another inmate
and tear it's quiet harmony may
be destroyed; still l must not be
selfish. Your uncle writes me from
England the climate does not agree
with his daughter. Alice, his only
child, and asks that | receive her
under my roof. She has sailed by
the same steamer which has brought
his letter, and we may be prepared
to welcome her at any moment.
He has left me no room for refusal,
even should l care to do So"
"Wby, mamma, it will be so
charming. shall have a COM
paniOn of my own age; the sister
| have so often longed fOr-snd
your two daughters instead of one"
81 trust, my love, all your anticl'
pations may be realized; )" but as
Mrs. Doughlas spoke, a vision Of
the naughty, imperiOus beauty her
brother had welded, who IN ten
wears of their married lite had
proved treacherOus and false heart
ed, rose before her, and made her
tremble lest the girl toward whom
she was forced to enact a mothers
part might have inherited her fatal
dover. Certainly the beauty had
been transmitted, for when, a few
hours latter Mrs. Doughlas' arms
were folded round her niece, she
shuddered at the wonderful like
ness, only glori6ed and intensified.
Kate's fresh complexion and mod
est charm faded into nothingness.
beside this darling creature, who
seemed a very queen. Their little
home, where all had flowed so
smoothly, appeared tranformed
into lifeless background for the
presence which so illuminated it.
II was in vain to rebel against her
charm. Ere many days she ruled
supreme. All hearts lay at her
feet. Sue seemed some glorious
tropical bird with feathers whose
brilliant plumage nothing could
rufle, nor harsh winds destroy.
And so the serpent entered para
disc.
"Who is this Mr.. Roland, Kate !"
she questioned once as the girls
were busy arranging the morning
supply of flowers. 81 hear his
name so often mentioned, but as
vet have never seen him."
"That is easily accounted for,
since he has been abroad on busi'
ness," answered the girl; but her
head was bent close over the tiow-
ers, to hide the tell-tale flush upon
her cheek. "We expect him back
today; Alice and he will probably
call this evening, 80 that your
curiosity will be gratifed."
"No idle curiosity, Kate, dear,
believe me, only"-and she ap-
preached and threw her arm around
her cousin as she spoke-"only
that fear be is going to rob me,
IN some way. of what is very dear
to me, and l wish to determine if
he is worthy OF the prize"
'1ndeed, Alice, you are mistaken,
l love you to dearly TO let any
one rob you out OF my poor love, If
it possesses any value to you, and
and Mr.. Roland and are only
friends s.
"He will pass unscathed,' was
the proud reply.
"Kste, how glad, bow happy |
am" said a young man, who, a few
hours later, entered Mrs. Dough
las drawing rooms, and now came
forward with ont stretched hands
to meet the sweet young fgnre
VINO had Just crossed threshold.
Chow chsrmtngly you are look
ingl As fresh as the rosebuds In
your hair -
"Flasterer l have heard no silly
speeches since Jon left. You dc
not know how refreshing 1t hal
been.n
IL should Judge 80 from its effec'
upon you; bnt that is good new
to me. No one else should hav'
the right to say them. Kate, my
tiresome bnsIness is finished g
last, and now'E have come home Il
rest and qnlst. The snarl is al
undone, and l can see my wal
clear Can you not imagine VIII
| this is Of such moment TO me
Why 1 have longed to say this tC
you-what hopes it has given mi
for the future-our intuTe-our =
The downcast eyes were closely
velled by their long Isshes, th'
slender hands we're tightly inter
locked. Another moment and th'
words binding them to each othe
would have been spoken, when
musical voice interrupted
"Pardcn nae, Kate. ! did 20
know you were engaged "