Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-06-14
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. He had
brought me up and had been the kind
est of guardians. He had banished me
from his presence. He had commended
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, 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. / watch here every movement, and
d wild hatred, mixed with agony and
humiliation, burns in my veins
On my return frcm Germany found
her living at my uncle's, and he said
''She is my old friend Senart's daugh-
ter. lie died ruined-poor old fellow!
AAbHN AtAtAA y hh wall A1k RbJNft W lily
giving her a small dowry. You will
still be millionaire"
She was very beautiful, but proud
and naughty. She received rae coldlv
and in a very uncrac CHS manner, but
in spite Of that fell promptly in love
VITA her Her step made me tremble.
and her line profile charmed me At
the end o. a month woald have given
hcavcn aaa earth for her love dared
20 .cll her SOTO ask her TO marry rae
but She ~etlsel me without hesita-
tion.
"Never!n she declared positively.
All, that never it brOse my heart,
but answered her calmly:
You might have told me SO more
gently"
1T would have been less efficacious,"
she returned, calmly. And | admired
the barbaric frankness of her answer,
like the sentimental fool that was
To-day know what the girl with
the dark eyes was hiding! now
understand her silence, hor cold
reception, her insulting rejection. 1t
was because she was sure % Ter posi-
ton. Already She knew that she
should rob me of my fortune. And to
think tat during the past two days |
have not told her how ! despise herl
To think that ] was satisfied TO avoid
her, not to talk to her! How she must
laugh at my folly
As this thought enters nv mind am
about TO enter the room. But the
words of the doctor sti1l sound in my
ears:
DO you wish to kill the patient2 1t |
can be done in minute. sudden /
emotion, a surprise and he goesl'
Thus even nature is in favor Of the /
spoiler! Again | look at her. She is
leaning over the bed with the express
sion OF madonna!
Suddenly the old man moves aud
means like little child My heart is
filed with pity for him. Then he calls |
"Laurein
The doctor moves quickly. | hear a .
confused Whispering then a cry:
II am suffocating. ALL"
4 dead silence-then rafting in tic
throat-and again silence
AliN AANkAOA AtdiAH QNEi Allt btAts
listens, and finally says in low voice:
"He is dead.
Laurie hides her face in her hands.
/ would like TO accuse her,
but puerile sense of respect keeps me
silent. and it is she who speaks FIRST
IL would like to say something to you.
Her eyes are filed with tears, bnt her
voice is resolrte. 1t seems % if she
were defying me.
However consent and lead her into
the next room. There we remain look
ing at each other for a minute with
out speaking. II is she who continues:
''You will excuse me for not having
sent for You sooner, but your uncle re-
fused absolutely to see you. and con-
his condition | had only TO
obey That was at least the opinion
Of the doctor. Believe me, am sorry"
II should think sol" ! exclaimed,
with an insulting laugh