Mexico weekly ledger., 1890-08-28
equality to which the weaker is un-

equality to which the weaker n is un-
accustomed and consequently unsuited.
A few hours later / was rolling swiftly
toward Stoke Moreton in a comfortable
smoking carriage, only occu lied by my
self and MI. Charles Danv rs, a hand
some young fellow with a pale face, and
that peculiar tired ma nec which
Though, as l soon found, natural to HIM
is so often affected by the y Jung men of
the day.
"And so Ralph has come in for a
legacy in diamonds" he sid, listlessly,
when we had exchanged the usual civil
ties and had become to = certain degree
acquainted. Dear mel how these good,
steady young men prosper in the world.
When last l heayd from him he had pro-
vailed upon the one perfect woman in
the universe to consent to marry him,
and his aunt (by the way, you will meet
her there, too-Lady Mary Cunning
ham, had murmured something vague
but gratifying about testamentary in
tentions. A week later Providence fills
his trimming cup with a legacy of
jewels, estimated atr'- Charles opened
his light, sleepy eyes wide and looked
inquiringly at me. What are they esti-
mated atT' he asked, as I did not an
swer.
I really had nc idea, but l shrugged
my shoulders and looked wise.
Estimated at a fabulous sum, he said,
closing his eyes again. "Ah! had they
been mine with what joyful alacr1ty
should l have ascertained their a
money value. And mine they ought to
have been If the sacred law of primo
g~eniture that special providence which
watches oyer the interests of eldest sons)
had been duly observed. Sir John had
not the pleasure Of my acquaintance,
but I fear he must have heard some re-
ports-no doubt entirely without founda-
tion-respecting my career, which in
duced him to pass me over in this
ner. What amorall My father and my
Aunt Mary are always d~elicately point
ing out the difference between Ralph
and myself. IwishI were a good young
man, like Ralph. 1t seems to pay best
In the long run; but I may as well in
form you, Col. Middleton, of the painful
fact that l am the black sheep Of the
family"
''Oh, come. Gomez 1 remarked un-
easily.
II should not have alluded to the sub
ject If you were not likely to become
fully aware of it on your arrival, SO !
will be beforehand with my relations. ]
was brought up in the way l should CO."
he continued with the utmost uncon-
Germ, as if commenting on something
that did not affect him in the least, ''but
/ did not walk in it, partly owing to the
uncongenial companionship that it in
volved, especially that Of my aunt Mary,
who took up 80 much room herself In
| the narrow path that she effectuany
| kept me out of it. From my earliest
| youth, also, l took extreme interest
in the parable Of the prodigal, and
as soon as it became possible
| exemplifed it myself. 1 may eve
say hat l acted the part in a manner
that did credit to a beginner; but the
wind up was ruined by the lamentable
inability of others, who shall be name
less, to throw themselves into the spirit
of the piece. AT various intervals" he
continued, always Is if speaking Of some
one else, II have returned home, but ]
regret to say hat on each occasion my
reception was not in any way what
| could have wished. The flavor of afatted
calf is absolutely unknown to me; and
SO far from meeting me half way, ]
have, in extreme cases, when impelled
homeward by urgent pecuniary consid'
erations, found myself obliged to wall
up from the station"
Dear me. I hope it is not far?' I said
"a mere matter of three miles OF 81
up HILL" he resumed; nothing to
healthy Christian, though trying to the
trembling legs of the ungodly after {
long course of husks. There, now I thinl
you are quite au fait Is to our family
history. l always pity a stranger whit
| comes to a house ignorant of little do
nestle details of this kind; he is apt tt
make mistakes. Oh, pray don't mention
it'-as l murmured some words o
thanks mo trouble, l assure you
trouble is a thing I don't take. By tn
way, are you aware We T goint
straight into a nest of private theatrical
at Stock Moreton? Tonight is the las
rehearsal; perhaps I had better lool
over my part. l took it once years ago
but I don't remember a word Of it."
And after much rummaging in a mag
nificent silver mounted travelling ba,
the Prodigal pulled out a paper book ant
carelessly turned over the leaves.
1 did not interrupt his studies, ave b.
a few passing comments on the weather
the state Of the country and my owl
health. which I am sorry to say is no
what it was; but as l only receives
monosyllabic answers, we had no NOR
conversation worth mentioning till W
reached Stoke Moreton.
TO BE CONTINUED.