The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1897-08-20
in the world. His talk, although dan
and bitter, was witty and brilli-

my twenty-first birthday I was sum-
moned in hot haste from Oxford. MI.
Lorraine was dying. g
I reached Herstal Abbey just in time.
My benefactor-yes, I must call him
so-was just sensible, but speechless.
I BEN over him and took his hand. His
fingers gave mine a faint pressure.
Ever at that moment | wondered at
this show of feeling. And I wondered
at the strange look in his dark eyes.
They met mine y%earningly, and I knew
that the dying man had much to say to
me; yet, somehow, ! knew it was not
about myself he wished to speak. I
stopped down close to him. His dry
lips moved, but could not %articulate.
He gave a faint sigh; his eyelids flicker
ed, and all was over. Whatever were
those last words he wished to speak,
they remained forever unspoken.
l rose and left him. 1 walked to the
room which was known as Mr.. Julian's
room, and, / am thankful! to say, wept.
After all, this man had given me much.
But for him l might have been con-
signed to the work-house; might now
he nothing moe than a stone-mason's
apprentice. Julian Lorraine had at
least given me the means to start fairly
in life. Yes, he had been my bene-
factor.
My grief, if not as deep as it should
have been, was really sincere. 1t was
some time before I began to reflect as
to the immediate consequences his
death would bring to myself. 1 had
money in hand, for the allowance
made me by Mr.. Lorraine had always
been an ample one-so large, indeed,
that when the truth of my birth was
known to me, I had asked him to re-
duce it. The right l presumed to claim
fell far short Of this. Mr.. Lorraine told
me scornfully not to bother him about
money matters; so"Lhad been unable to
follow out the plan which I had laid
down, of taking from him only suffici-
ent for my needs. Nevertheless. l had
not spent the surplus, and it would now
serve me in completing my education.
l. JAIL - L SApSCISu AOIl1lIS. w IL
were his heirs, or to, whom his wealth
would be left, were matters about which
1 troubled little. Now, that Julian
Lorraine was dead, I could with a full
heart thank him for all he had done
for me. Then 1 could resign his name,
and force my WI way in the World.
His solicitor CAME down and gave in
structions concerning the funeral. He
did this at my request Knowing that
shortly I would be an alien in the
house, I would assume no RESPONSE
bility. The only order i gave was
that everything should be done quiet
ly and simply. I knew the dead mans
ideas about conventional %obsequies.
The funeral over we looked for the
will. I would not have a paper moved
until then. We soon found it. .
"Not that it makes much difference,
1 suspect" said the solicitor, ::'you be-
ing his only son." "
He was opening the envelope as he
spoke. I said nothing.
Shortest will I ever read,' said the
solicitor; made by himself, too, but
all quite right and legal"
He handed the paper to me. I read:
Il bequeath all my real and personal
estate to my adopted son Julian, COM
monty known as Julian Lorraine"
This, duly signed and witnessed,
was Mr.. Loraine's will. 1 sunk on a
chair, feeling dizzy and confused. Mr..
Lorraine dead was a greater puzzle to
me than Mr.. Lorraine living. BY a few
words-dashed off, it might be, on the
spur of the moment-he had left me
all his wealth. Was it f rom affection,
sense of justice, cynicism, or what?
II did not know you were an adopted
SON., Mr.. Julian" said the lawyer in
tones of surprise.
YES" I said, collecting myself. DO
you think I shall be right in accepting
this %bequest?"
"Why not"
care there no close I, lativas? AL
though I passed as his son, 1 know so
little about them"
Il suspect I know less. But 1 never
heard Mr.. Lorraine speak of any rela-
tives. His adoption of you proves you
entitled to the money"
"Bye the bye, Mr.. Julian" said the
solicitor, without wishing to intrude
my advice, 1 should, if I were in your
place, say nothing to let people know
I was not Mr.. Loraine's son. He evil
IDENTIFY wished it to be thought you