Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-03-12

OF the caro- and exclaimed:
80, my lost treasurer reaching her
hand out for it. 'Where did you find it,
Lloyd? looked everywhere for it when I
left Waverland but could not find it,"
l explained how l happened to find it
and how / came to learn it's meaning.
Stella stood like one in a trance Then
with tears of joy she thanked me for re-
vealing its contents.
81 have spent hours in trying to read
that little hidden message. That and the
fifty pounds I told you of l found in an en-
velOpe addressed to me and on a little note
inside were these words: "A fathers will
to his darling child " said Stella.
''This is indeed a revelation" said Mel
vorne. 1--WE need no farther testimony
than this translated message from the de-
parted. 4 am Charles Edward Everett,
Son of Edward Everett, Earl OF York,
from Ravens Park, England read the
duke with emotion.
"How strange that this message should
have remained hidden until now," said
Lady Irving.
at was like my father to provide in
some unexpected way for my learning of
his birth and rank" said Stella, holding
the precious cryptOgram as though it
could take wings and fly. ''How strange
it seems to know that | have one relative
in all this world Of people," she continued,
going to the duke and offering her hand.
"You are my very own cousin. Ny faith
er's words have proven it!''
You are not sorry, are you, little cou-
SIM" asked Melvorne, seeing the tears
glistening in her eyes.
an Ppl1cir1 lint rr1o co
glad?"
well, now, [ have something else to do
besides visiting boiling springs" he said,
turning to us. land | want your aid, so
all follow me-" And Melvorne led the
way back to the hotel, keeping Stella by
his side.
At the hotel he paused a moment, then
started down the street, still keeping Stel-
las hand upon his arm.
AT a place where lawyers sign swung
to and fro in the summers breeze Mel
YOrne paused, and opening the door, asked
US to enter. The room was large and fit
ted up in the most approved style for an
office. 1t was a sort of combination law
office and real estate business room.
After entering, Melvorne asked if Law
yer Jones was present.
eyes, sir" answered a gentleman, chat
is my name. What can do for you?" he
asked making an easy bow to the ladies.
81 wish some important papers made
out and sent to England" said Melvorne
in a business way.
Then followed the tedious legal process
of a transfer Of property. Melvorne had
decided to divide his grandfather's estate
as it would have been divided had SteIIa's
father received his rightful share. At first
Stella objected to receiving it but the duke
was determined.
While the lawyer was busy with Mel
vorne's papers, a man entered and asked
if Mr. Sharp was in. A gentleman from
the ether desk answered to the same, say
ing.
"What can do for you, sir?"
''Have you money to loan?" asked the
stranger
eyes sir, that is my business" answered
Mr.. Sharp
Il want to borrow thousand dollars on
that property" said the man, handing a
document to Mr.. Sharp as he spoke.
Mr.. Sharp, a keen, shrewd business man
took the paper and after reading it over
carefully, said.
Il know the property your deed des-
cribes, and can loan you the money Sc
cured by a mortgage on that land"
What per cent must give, sir?" asked
the man.
''Ten per cent for five years time" said
Mr., Sharp.
'What is the commission"
"Only six per cent"
II must have it or lose my place." said
the man with a sigh.
las soon as Jones is at liberty we will
make ont the papers," said Mr. Sharp,
with a most complacent smile as though
his ready fingers had already secured the
commission, while in the near future a
vision revealed foreclosure on the mort
gage and the land within his own grasp.
l thought, here is a veritable shylock
ready to take not one pound only, but
many, If we could count the toll and worry
and weary heart aches! I remembered the
story the old man told me back in Illinois
who had passed through such an ordeal as
this, and the final result was to see his
home go into the hands Of foreign land
monopolist, whose capital is said to be de-
Yeloplng ~ the country o yesl develop
ing another Irelandl
While had been busy thinking, the pa
pers had been completed, and | was reused
from my reyerie by hearing Melvorne say:
"N0w Miss Everett, you are hereby en-
titled to all the rank and privileges of an
Earl's daughter"
Stella was confused, and for moment
made no answer. But her cheeks flushed
and her looks recalled to my mind the eve
ming when she heard those singing words
at Lord Waverland's reception.
''Now you stand by right of birth above
those who scorned you once" l said going
to her side.
81 was thinking of those words. and
otl~rs have often heard" she said; then
aside she said to me, Now, Sir Waver-
land, you will not need to wed beneath
your rank by marrying me-"
L could make no reply I knew nv
mothers words had caused the thought.
Her quick eye discovered the feeling and
silently she placed her hand upon my arm
as though asking forgiveness. treasured
her by placing my hand upon hers where
it lay upon my arm, as we stood waiting
for Melyorne to sign the papers. At last
the papers were signed, sealed and de-
ivered, ready to be sent to the proper re-
cording Office. Miss Everett, the unknown
governess was now rich heiress of noble
birth. For myself 1 could not say was
glad. But for her, with her proud, sensi-
tive nature, was more than glad of her
good fortune.
We went back to the hotel where we
talked over the event of the morning No
one IN the party seemed as merry as When
we left the breakfast room. There was a
deeper feeling than mirth in each heart.
Melvorne had shown himself as a noble
man in giving of his own to provide for
his cousin, who had no claims upon him