Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-11-17
THE PRAYER BOOK.

1t was many long year ago, and the
scene of my story is the office of one of the
most respectable notaries in Paris, M, Du-
bois, a man Of the old school, universally
respected for his good sense, probity and
bcnevolence. There We're present besides
the notary himself a lady of middle age,
richly dressed (shc could never have been
handsome, but perhaps had her counte-
nance been less proud and disdainful she
would not have appeared as she did-posi-
lively ugly, an insignificant looking
:, little man, and woman, very shabbily
dressed, who sat at some distance from the
others, holding the hand of beautiful
little boy.
pray, who is that shabby looking wom-
an? What business can she have here?"
asked the little man
sob, don't you know her? 1t is the
runaway niece, Marie, who made such a
disgraceful match some years ago with a
lieutenant in the army, a man of low
BIRTH
"But why should she insult us with her
presence"
"She has right to be here, " said the
notary. She came at my desire.
He then proceeded to read the will, in
which, after the usual preamble, the de-
ceased divided her property into three
parts. The first was composed of a sum
of IS, 600 in the hands of the notary; the
second, Of furnished country seat Of the
same value and some family jewels; the
third, of an illustrated prayer book. The
will then proceeded as follows:
II desire that my property may be divid-
ed into three lots--the first, to be the eS,
900; the second, the chateau, furniture
and jewels; the third, my prayer book,
which is still in the same state as when |
took it with me in the emigration during
the reign of terror. / pardon my niece
Marie for the SORROW she has caused me,
and as proof of my sincerity | mention
her in my will. My beloved cousin, Mime.
Moranyllc, will have the first choice; my
brothcr-in law, M. D'Arlemont the see
ond, and Marie the last"
"Ah, my sistcr-in-law was a sensible
woman!' cried NJ d Arlcmont.
yes said Nine. Moranville, tittering.
"She has given proof of it. Marie will
only have the prayer book. :"
The notary, who seemed scarcely able to
contain his indignation, interrupted the
tittercr "What lot do you choose, ma
dame?" said he.
1.-THE Is, 900"
"Mme. Moranville, you are rich, and
your cousin is very, very poor. Cannot
you leave this lot and take the prayer book
that this--this" he seemed for moment
at loss for all expression this strange
will has put in the balance with the other
| lots?"
Are you joking, NJ nGraas2iis, " cried
Nine. Moranville, cor don't you se that
| my honored cousin has made her WIFI IN
the express intention that her prayer book
should fall to Marie, who was to have the
last choice?"
And what do you conclude from that2"
II conclude that she desired her niece
should understand that prayer and repent.
ance We're the only succors she ought to
expect in this life. All, she was saint,
| that dear womann
dignantly. "May heaven defend me from
! such saints-an unforgiving, unnatural
woman l am wrong. do her injustice.
Her intention, l am sure, was to give you
and M. D'Arlemont an opportunity Of do,
ing good q noble action by dividing the
property equally with her poor niece"
"M. D'Arlemont will do as he pleases
Irepeat that my choice is made"
''And SO is mine" said D'Arlcmont.
II shall take the chateau and all it con-
tains"
SIN that casc " said the notary, address
ing Marie, 81 can only give you, my poor
Nine Lie Feyre, the prayer book"
She took tho book, and pressing it to
her lips she held it to her son, who cried
out with childish delight at the sight of
its richly gilt cover, "Oh, mamma, let me
have it!'
''Yes, my boy, you shall have it. 1t will
be the only legacy I can leave you. But
never-never will part with it. thank
heaven she has pardoned me! She has said
it, and know she was truth itself!'
The notary turned away his head.
Don't go, Nine. LIE Fevre said he.
II must speak to you by and by"
At that moment the boy, in playing
with the book, unclasped it and cried OUT
ooh, mamma, look at the pretty pictures
But why are they all covered over with
this nice thin raper?'
6 1t is to keep tirS,n from being soiled.
"But why put six i.2pers to every pic
tllre2"
His mother looked-she uttered pierre
ing cry, and fell, fainting, into the arms
Of NJ Dubois, who said to those present:
''Let her alone it is nothing. She will
not die this time. Give me that book,
child. You may do mischief to it,"
The two rich legatees went away, COM
menting not very charitably on Maries
swoon and the evident interest the notary
took in her.
About month afterward they met
Nine. lie Fevre and her son, both well
dressed riding in very pretty carriage
with two horses. This unexpected sight
led them to make inquiry after her, and
they found that she had purchased a hand
some house and was living in quiet but
very good style. Thunderstorm at this
intelligence they went together to question
the notary. They found him at his desk
DO we interrupt yous" said the lady.
II am not particularly busy; only max
ing out an account of bank stock l have
just bought for Mme lie Fevre."
And for heavens sake where does it
come from?"
"Why, don't you know"
"No. How should II"
"Did you not see what was in the book
when she fainted?"
"NO."
"Well then, must tell you that tho
prayer book contained go engravings, and
each was covered by six bank notes Of $50
each"
"Good heavensl" cried the gentleman.
ooh, If l had but knownr' said the
lady New York News.
He Had No Enemies Left.
When NarvaeZ, duke of Valencia, lay on