Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-10-09

DELFORD'S GHOST.

''lts cruel injustice. Hilda, thai
you should be so shamefully wronged
out of what justly belongs to you. Thai
old Delford left will giving you this
beautiful homestead, | am positive and
If he did not announce his intention in
SO many words he limited strongly ia
that effect Only week before he died
he told mo you were well provided for,
and we all know that Reuben Delford
was no man to raise false hopes"
Eyes. Edward. too believed that
dear odd Uncle Reuben provided for me,
or he would never have refused TO per-
init me to earn my living. When !
broached the subject to him, he laughed
and said he possessed enough to keep
his little girl from starving. But what
is to be done No will has been found
and, of course, the entire estate goes to
Simon Delford, his nephew"
Eyes, curse him = cried Edward,
angrily '.'Hc could toll where the will
is if he chose. He had adeep motive
in coming here when the old man lay so
i'll, pretending that he loved him so
dearly, and taking th0 entire care Of
him. not even allowing you to enter tho
sick mans room. lf the truth were
known, believe the old man intrusted
the will to him, and the penurious
scamp. upon examining it, found that
the greater part bad beea left 10 you,
and 80 dsSfrgyed IT,
DO nct distress yourself, Edward,
for | am willing to face poverty so long
as | have you with me" said Hilda,
trying to smile.
"Bless you, darling" said Edward,
clasping her in his arms, "you are
dear, little, unselfsh souf; but l shall
not allow this miserly wretch to defraud
you.
"What can you do, Edward :" she
asked.
II am not sure that my efforts will
result advantageously, but can try, at
any rate" he answered, with q smile.
IL mean to resort to little strategy.
Sit down. Hilda, and I will give you
few orders which l wish you to strictly
carry out. / cannot lot you into the
secret at present, as it might interfere
with the success Of my plans. Now
listen, darling" he continued. "In
three days Simon Delford and his wife
are to take possession Of Sunset Grange.
He has engaged me as secretary, 80 |
shall retain my old position for the
present. lie may, through common de-
cency, allow you to remain for some
time. but it is likely that he will soon
take measures to eject you from your
old home. Should this be tho case"
laying purse In her hand, II have
made provision for you. Keep it, darl-
ing" he said, as she besitated and drew
back, "and when you recover what just
ly belongs to you, the sum can be re-
paid. Simon knows nothing Of our en-
gagement, or that we are connected by
ties stronger than those Of ordinary
friendship. / wish to have him remain
in ignorance, else my plan will prove
failure. We must not allow him, by
word or look, to learn Of the ties that
bind US. Should he see fit to turn you
from your home, go straight for Bent
ford, and remain there until come for
you. Leave all TO me, and will do my
best to restore what rightfully belongs
to you. Keep up your courage, darl-
ing and all will be we'll"
Three days passed, and Sunset Grange
was under the control Of new occupants
Simon Dclford and his wife had taken
possession Of the lovely homo which bad
been Hilda's since childhood.
Ten years before, fearful epidemic
had visited the little village Of Morton,
and John Braithwait, an honest, indus
trious carpenter, and his frail wife we're
prostrated by this fell disease, and had
died within two days Of each other,
leaving the poor little orphan Hid. to
the mercies Of cold world.
No one wanted the child, and the
almshouse seemed the only refuge,
when, TO the surprise Of the entire
neighborhood, old Reuben Delford.
miser, who had hitherto evinced little
or no feeling for his fellow beings, now
stepped forward and announced his in
tention Of adopting the little orphan as
bis own child.
And Reuben learned 10 set great
store by the little orphan, manifesting
regard for her which no one had
dreamed him capable Of He was kind
and indulgent, bumoring her in every
wbim, and seemed never SO happy as
when the little arms were about bis
neck, and the childish voice calling him
''dear old Uncle Ruby"
What cared he what the neighbors
said of him ? Hilda loved him and
right royalty did she defend him, grow
ing fierce with anger when any one dared
to speak i'll Of him in her presence.
At first Simon Delford, bis only liv-
ing relative, in bis smooth, silky way
tried 70 induce the old man to allow
him 70 take the girl TO his home, think
- H. oc,,II wak H. f.n...