The Topeka state journal., 1897-10-21
THE PRAYER BOOK.

most respectable nOtaries in Paris, M. Du-
bois, man of the old school, universally
respected for his good sense, probity and
benevolence. There were present besides
the notary himself a Lady of middle age,
richly dressed (she could never have been
handsome, but perhaps had her counte-
nance been less proud and disdainfu she
would not have appeared as she did-posi-
lively ugly) an insignificant looking
little man, and a woman, very shabbily
dressed, who sat at some distance from the
others, holding the hand of q beautiful
little boy.
Pray, who is that shabby looking wom-
am What business can she have hereS"
asked the little man.
''Oh, don't you know her? It is the
runaway niece, Marie, who made such a
disgraceful match some years ago with a
birth"
"But why should she insult US with her
presenceP'
''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 2a 900 in the hands of the notary; the
second, of furnished country seat of the
sEme value and some family jewels; the
third, of an illustrated prayer book. The
will then proceeded follows:
81 desire that my property may be diVfd-
ed into three Iots-the first, to be the Gs,-
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. I pardon my niece
Marie for the sorrow she has caused me-
and as proof of my sincerity mention
her in my will. Ny beloved cousin, Nine
fora viii bax he fif-Ef,c oh nv
brother-in-law, NJ D'Arlemont, the sec
ond, and Marie the last.
''Ah, my sister-in-law was sensible
womanp' cried M. D'Arlemont-
Eyes " said Mime. Moranville, tittering
"She has given proof of it. Marie viii
only have the prayer book. "
The notary, who seemed scarcely able to
contain his indignation, interrupted the
titterer. ''What lot do you choose. ma
dameP" said he.
''The 2s, O0O."
"Mme. Moranville, you are rich, and
you leave this lot and take the prayer book
that this-this' he seemed for a moment
at q loss for an expression this strange
will has put in the balance with the other
IotsP'
''Are you joking, M Dubois" cried
Nine. Moranville, ''or don't you see that
my honored cousin has made her will in
the express intention that her prayer book
should fall to Marie, who was to have the
last choiceS"
"And what do you conclude from thatP''
'tI conclude that she desired her niece
should understand that prayer and repent
ance were the only succors she ought to
expect in this life. All, she was q saint,
that dear wonanP'
''Saint, quothai' cried the notary in
dignantly. MAY heaven defend me from
such saints-an unforgiving, unnatural
womanl 1 am wrong. I do her injustice
Her intention, am sure, was to give you
and n. D'Arlemont an opportunity Of do
ing good, noble action by dividing the
property equally with her poor niece. -
I'M. D'Arlemont will do as he pleases
repeat that my choice is made. "
"And so is mine,' said D'Arlemont.
at shall take the chateau and all it con
tains."
''In that case, said the notary, address
ing Marie, Il can only give you, my poor
Nine. lie Fevre, the prayer book. q"
She took the 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. It will
be the only legacy can leave you. But
never-never viii part with it, I thank
heaven she has pardoned mel She has said
it, and know she was truth itselfl''
The notary turned away his head.
Don't go, Mime. lie Fevre, - said he
''I must speak to you by and by"
At that moment the boy, in playing
with the book, unclasped it and cried out:
"Oh, mamma, look at the pretty picturesl
But why arr they all covered over with
this nice thin paper2"
''It is to keep them from being soiled.' -
'But why put six papers to every pic
tureP''
HIS v,ootber IooIrad-sba Y1ttarad a r,{evc
ing cry, and fell, fainting, into the arms
of M 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 Marie's
swoon and the evident interest the notary
took in her.
About a month afterward they met
Mime. Le Fevre and her son, both well
dressed, riding In a 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. Thunderstruck at this
intelligence they went together to question
the notary. They found him at his desk.
''Do we interrupt yOuS' said the lady.
81 am not particularly busy; only max
ing out account Of bank stock have
lust bought for Mime. LIE Fevre. "
And for heavens sake, where does 1t
come fromS"
"Why, don't you knowP"
"No. How should I?''
"Did you not see what was in the book
when she fainted?"
No"
''WeIl, then, must tell you that the
prayer book contained so engravings, and
each was covered by six bank notes of ESQ
eachp'
''Good heavensl'' cried the gentleman.
"Oh, if / had but knoWni" said the
1ady.-New York News
He Had No Enemies Left.