Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-02

this was ln him dangerous sign "I do not see the necessity. Let us. at all events. frs, speak of what will be mutually agreeable
 mutually agreeable. Ipresent myself to you as an ambassador"
 "As an ambassador?" stammered. "As an ambassador" he repeated, blandly. II have the honor to ask the hand of your
 lovely daughter Eunice for my dear friend Mortlock.' Igazed at him in kind of de-
 spalr; he continued: "He is gentleman a
 man of good family; travelled man; a cul-
 tured man; a man of parts; and like him
 When l introduced him to you and your
 delightful family had a latent hope that he
 would fall in love with your daughter It
 has happened. did not say to him, Go to
 England; go to Boscombe Lodge, Sevenoaks,
 and make friend of my nephew Richard,
 and there behold a fresh and budding type
 of English beauty in the person of my
 nephew Richards charming daughter Eu-
 nice.' l might have said as much, having,
 before left England, received picture of
 your daughter, for which, think, I have not
 thanked you, and in which discerned bud
 that would blossom into a rare Ioveliness:
 but did say to friend Mortlock, Nephew
 Richard has daughter; 1t is time you should settle down. What I hoped has come to
 pass, and approve"
 What you ask," said, ''is impossible"
 "How impossible?"
 "Eunice does not love MT. Mortlock. Her heart is given to another"
 ''To whom?"
 'To Harry Clanronald."
 "A childish fancy," said my uncle, (which Will soon pass away. She cannot marry him."
 ''ohe can" said firmly, "and shall"
 ''she must not, Nephew Richard"
 She 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, if Imay so express it, 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, I was right when I said Wedo not know much of each other. Even II had not set my heart upon this match I would never consent to your daughter marry ing young MT. Clanronald but have set my heart upon it, and if you are prudent you will range yourself on my side. You shall not be ln the dark whichever way you decide. will be very-I trust not painfully-explicit. Itis in no patty or boastful mood that I say I have behaved we'll to you and yours'
 You have behaved, sir" said I, "most lib erally, most generously. A lifetime of grat- itude could not repay you."
 II will be content with less, he said. drylv "There is not much merit in what have done; what you .have received from mo could we'll spare. In all my life 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, it needs, in deed, a powerful reason to move me. Oblige me by unlocking my despatch-box." He paused as Iattended to his instructions. Beneath the cash box are some papers tied round with red tape. Bring them forward, Lawyers papers, Nephew Richard. Lock the oox again. Untie the papers, and take from them the largest and most important. Itis my will. You may read tiff you nke." |
 Excuse me, sir. shall feel more at my l ,ase if do not" As you please. It is my will, making you ny heir to the greater portion of my prop srty. For what I have done for you-for 1 what l have cheerfully and ungrudgingly l lone, l have never asked from you the least 1 'eturn; have never requested you to ren- | Ter me the slightest favor. For the first and | 'nly time ask now favor at your hands; give your consent to the union of your daugh- l CT with Friend Mortlook."
 "I cannot. sir"
 Weigh well your words, Nephew Richard. l of your refusal will be that i | hall destroy this will, making another per- on my heir. To you and yours not one shil- ing; nor shall you ever receive another shil- ing of my money"
 My heart fa1nted within me; absolute beg ,ary stared me in the face; and with that 'eggary, as 1t seemed to me, disgrace.
 'I regret" continued my uncle 'that I hould have been forced into speaking so 'lainly. give you till tomorrow morning to effect, to talk over the matter with your wife, if you care to do so. Till then we will | peak no further upon the subject. What I ave resolved upon is irrevocable, and there nothing surer in life than that you and I ave done with each other forever if you hen determine to oppose my wishes. Oblige le now by leaving me- At this hour of the ay always seek little repose."
 l saw that it would not improve matters if remained with him; therefore I left him nd sought my wife.
 "What has happened7" she asked, in a oice of alarm. She read the news in my ace.
 "The worst," I replied.
 l told her all, and, cast down and despair lg as she was, she said that had acted ght.
 Do you realize what it means?" I said. Me shall have to quit this place at once; we hall be thrown upon the world to starve!" nd then started up, and paced the room l state of terrible excitement. saying that
 was monstrous such blow should be ealt us by feeble old man.
 Feeble and old." I repeated, vacantly; yes, feeble and old. He is over seventy. If @ should die tonight" The words froze |