Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1894-03-29
MY INHERITANCE.
1t Was Received in a Very Pecul-
lar Way.

Martha. the old servant, awakened
me. She said: Your uncle is dying"
! went downstairs and again found
myself before the half-open door, where
for the past two days | had been watch
ing the agony of my uncle. lie had
brought me up and had been the kind
est Of guardians. He had banished me
from his presence. He had commanded
that should not be admitted to the
chateau He had done all this without
motive, without any otfense on my
part, but simply because he had disin-
herited me for her!
Her? see her moving about in the
dying mans room, "a few steps from
me. There she reigns as sovereign.
She devotes herself to the patient. She
obeys each request of the doctor, who,
with her, watches by my uncle's bed
side. l watch her every movement, and
wild hatred, mixed with agony and
humiliation, burns in my veins.
On my return from Germany found
her living at my unele's, and he said:
"She is my old friend Senarts daugh-
ter. He died ruined-poor old fellow!
hope that you will not object to my
giving her q small dowry You will
still be millionaire"
She was very beautiful, but proud
and naughty. She received me coldly
and in very ungracious manner, but
in spite of that fell promptly in love
with her. Her step made me tremble,
and her fine profile charmed me. At
the end of month would have given
heaven and earth for her love. | dared
to tell her soto ask her to marry me
but she refused me without hesita-
ton.
.Neyerr' she declared positively.
All. that "never," it broke my heart,
but / answered her calmly:
You might have told me so more
gently"
at would have been less efficacious, u
she returned, calmly. And | admired
the barbaric franlSness of her answer,
like the sentimental fool that was.
To-day know what the girl with
the dark eyes was hiding! l now
understand her silence, her cold
reception, her insulting rejection. 1t
was because she was sure of her posi-
ton. Already she knew that she
should rob me of my fortune And to
think that during the past two days
have not told her how despise her
To think that was. satisfied to avoid
ber not to talk to herl How she must
laugh at my follyl
AS this thought enters my mind l am
about to enter the room. But the
words of the doctor still sound in my
ears: =
800 YOU wish to kill the patientP II
can he done in minute. A sudden
emotion, surprise and he goes!"
Thus even nature is in favor of the
spoilerl Again look at her. She is
leaning over the bed with the express
sion of madonna!
Suddenly the old man moves and
means like little child. My heart is
filled with pity for him. Then he calls
Laurel
The doctor moves quickly. | hear q
confused whispering, then cry:
"Iam suffocatingl ALL"
A dead silence-then rafting in the
throat-and again silence.
Then the doctor leans over the bed,
listens, and finally says in low voice
"He is dead.
Iaure hides her face In her hands.
nnnroach. would like to accuse her
Int a puerile sense of respect keeps me
silent and it is she who speaks first
1T yyould like to say something to you.
Her ewes are filled with tears, but hel
voice is resolrte. 1t seems as II She
were defying me.
However, consent and lead her int
.ha next room. There we remain look
mo at each other for minute with
out speaking. 1t is she who continues
,you will excuse me for not having
sent for You sooner, but your uncle re
f1sed absolutely to see you, and con
sidering his condition ! had only t.
ohev That was at least the opinion
Of the doctor. Believe me, ] am sorry.
~ should think SOL exclaimed
with an insulting laugh