Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-07-25
CHAPTER VIII.
THOMAS BECOMES RICH.

For many months we heard no moro OF
De Garcia or Of Isabella dc Sigucnza.
Both had vanished, leaving no sign, and
we searched for them in vain. AS for me,
I fell back into my former way of life Of
assistant to Fonseca, posing before tho
world as his nephew. But 1t came about
that from the night Of my duel with the
murderer my masters health declined
steadily through the action Of wasting
disease Of the liver which bafled all skill,
So that within eight months Of that time
he lay almost bedridden and at the point
of death. His mind indeed remained
quite clear, and on occasions he would even
receive those who came to consult him,
reclining on chair and wrapped in his
embroidered robe But the hand Of death
lay on him, and he knew that 1t was so.
AS the weeks went by he grew more and
more attached to me till at length, had I
been his son, he could not have treated me
with greater affection, while for my part l
did what lay in my power to lessen his
sufferings, for he would let no other ply
sician near him.
At length when he had grown very fee
bio he expressed desire to see notary.
The man he named was sent for and re-
mained closeted with him for an hour OF
more, when he left for awhile to return
with several Of his clerks, who accom-
panied him to my masters room, from
whence I was excluded Presently they
all went away, bearing some parcnments
with them.
That evening Fonseca sent tor me. I
found him very weak, but cheerful and
full Of talk
''Come here, nephew" he said II have
had busy day. I have been busy all my
life through, and 1t would not be well to
erow idle at the last. Do you know what
fhsTe been doing this dayH"
I shook my head
II will tell you have been making
my will-there is something to leave-not
so very much, but still something"
tsDo not talk of Wills" said II trust
that you may live for many years.
he laughed "You must think badly
Of my case, nephew, when you think that
I can bo deceived thus. I am about to
die, es you know well, and do not fear
death My Lie has been prosperous, but
not happy, for it was bhghted In Its spring
no matter how. The story Is an old one
and not worth telling. Moreover, which
ever way 1t had read, 1t had oil been one
now In the hour Of death. Nephew, lis
ten. Except certain spms that have CIV
en- to bc spent in charities-not In masses,
mind you-I have left you all possess"
'You havo left it to meW I said, as-
tonished
''Yes, nephew, to you Why nots I
have no relations living, and have learn
cd to love you, I who thought that could
never again cane for any man or woman
or child. I am grateful to you, who have
proved to mo that my heart Is not dead.
Take what I give you as mark OF my
gratitude"
Now I began TO stammer my thanks,
but he stopped me- 1.-The sum that you
will inherit, nephew, amounts in all to
about 5000 gold pesos, or perhaps lS,ooo
Of your English pounds, enough for
young man to begin life on, even with q
wife. Indeed there in England 1t may well
be held great fortune, and think that
your betrothed's father will make no more
objection to you Us son-tn-laW; also
there Is this house and all that it contains.
The library and the silver arc valuable,
and you will do well to keep them. And
now one word moro. If your conscience
will let you, abandon the pursuit OF De
Garcia. Take your fortune and go with
it to England, wed that maid whom you
desire, and follow after happiness in what
ever way seems best to you. Who ore you
that you should mete out vengeance on
this knaye Dc Garcia9 Let him be, and
he will avengo himself upon himself. 9th
erwise you may undergo much toll and
dan, ,er and in tho end lose lovo and Life
and fortune at q blow"
''But havo sworn to kill him, an
swered, land how can break so solemn
an oath? How could sit at home in peace
beneath the burden of such shame?"
IT do not know. 1t Is not for mo to
Judge. You must do as you wish, but
In the doing Of it 1t may happen that you
will fall into greater shames than this.
You have fought the man, and he has es-
capped you Let him go If you arc wise.
Now bend down and kiss me and bid me
farewell. I do not desire that you should
SEQ me die, and my death is near. l can
not tell If we shall meet again,w when III
your turn you have laid as lie now, OF
il we shape our course for different stars
II SO, farewell forever.
Then leaned down and kissed him on
tho forehead, and as I did 80 wept, 1or
not till this hour did learn how truly
had como to love him, SO truly that II
seemed to me as though my father lay
pQeCe QylHe. ,-,>~.--