Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1893-03-23


Avenue, if you're minded for a chat
over old times The voluble little
physician skipped away into anoth-
er department of the accident ward.
This conversation had taken place
in New York hospital. Fortune
seemed to be frowning on Vincent
Romney in variety Of ways. lie
had lost the inheritance which
should rightfully have been his own;
ne had been ESQ he supposedly sup
planted in the affections of the dear
est girl on earth. Now so sooner
had he landed on strange shore
than physical disaster had overta-
ken him. He had been knocked
down in one of the most crowded
New York thoroughfares by a run
away cab-horse. At first it was
feared that his injuries included
confusion of the brain. But this
proved an error, and by the latest
medical report few hours rest and
quiet would probably restore the
patient to full yigor.
The world is not so wide after
all. How frequently in this era of
steam and electricity this truth is
practically taught Here, amongst
his Western cousins, almost the first
person with whom Vincent Romney
had been brought into close person
al contact proved to be of English
birth, a native of Vincent's own
county and village.
Without the least unnecessary de-
lay Vincent availed himself of DR..
Naples CHEEKY invitation.
and so you are really my old
friend Hastings Romney's son. /
begin to see the likeness now-es-
pecially when your face is in pro-
file. All. it was an awkward thing
for your father to be disinherited.
| hoped the squire would think bet
ter of his passion ; but as | said
before, he was terribly self-willed.
| fear the quarrel fastened your ia
theirs death 2
1T did. He only survived my
grandfather three years
And his narrow income-pardon
my inquisitiveness-is now your
own p
"All at present l am proprietor
Of
Just so. l left Holbury in the
very year of the old squire's decease,
and came to America. we'll re-
member going to the manor sale the
week before Iquitted the village. l
brought a trifing memento away
with me. That inkstand yonder
was your grandfather's.'
Vincent's eyes followed the ges-
ture of lis companions finger
across the luxuriously furnished
apartment. On a table in a recess
stood a carved ebony desk-ornament |
of antique workmanship.
May | look at it?' Vincent ask
ed.
Certainly With the greatest
pleasure.
In another second Vincent was
inspecting the relic of his proud |
and vindictive grandparent.
4 have seen one very much like
thls-with paneled pedestal of the
same design precisely-in a friends
house in London, the young man
remarked. Frank Norrels picked
II up at some store In WardOur
Street and VOWS he had a bargain.
m never so lucky when l go brio
a-brac hunting
No doubt its age would make it
Yes; and in my friends orna-
nent you touch a spring and the
panel slides back. There is hid
len aperture behind. Is it so here p
Il cannot say | am sure. have
'arely used the toy. And a sur
,eon,s time is too precious to spend
IN gratuitous and useless expert
nents. Hah . hah ! But we can
quickly decide the point
An examination with a stror
nagnifying glass followed. .
Click ! Back SD
division ~ -. -.Ot the centre
ecrat -.e tested panel, and a
receptacle was III truth re-
'ealed. 1t was not empty
what is this ? Last will and
testament of Philip Romney' = read
DIR. Maple in a startled, bewildered |
tone. Then he clapped the equally |
listener on the back.
1t was not as we and everybody |
Thought. after ALL he said. .vonr