The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1899-02-11


enlisted.
Toward the end of February the guests
had begun to arrive at the Court. Lady
Baltimore had returned there during Jan
uary with her little son, but Baltimore
had not put in an appearance for some
weeks later. A good many new people I'M
known to the Monktons had arrived there
with others whom they did not know, and
after awhile Dicky Browne had come and
Miss Maliphant and the Brabazons. and
some others with whom Joyce was on
friendly terms. but even though Lady Bal
timore had made rather point of the
girls being with her. Joyce had gone to her
but sparingly, and always in fear and
trembling. 1t was 50 impossible to know
who might not have arrived last night, or
was gong to arrive this night.
That, up to this, neither Dysart nor
Beauclerk had come to the Court had
been comfort to her; but that they might
come at any moment kept her watchful
and uneasy. Indeed. only yesterday she
had heard from Lady Baltimore that both
We're expected during the week.
That news leaves her rather unstrung
and nervous to-day. After luncheon, hav-
ing successfully cluded Tommy. the lynx
eyed, she decides upon going for q long
walk. with Il view to working off the de
preston to which she had become i prey
This is how she happens to be out Of the
way when the letter comes for Barbara
that changes the tenor of their lives.
The afternoon post brings it. The de-
liciOus spring day has worn itself almost
to a close when Monkton. entering his
wfe's room, whore she is busy at Il sew
ing machine altering 4 frock for Mabel,
drops letter over her shoulder into her
lap.
What qucer-lookng letter." says she.
staring in amaZement at the big official
envelope.
Mrs. Monkton has broken open the en-
yelope. and is now scanning hurriedly tie
contents Of the important looking docu-
mcnt within. There is pausc-a length
ened one. Presently Barbara rises from
her seat mechanically. as it We're, always
with her eyes fixed on the letter in her
hand. She has grown a little pale-a little
frown is contracting her forehead.
'Freddy.' says she, in 4 rather strange
tone.
What" says he, quickly. mo more
bad news. hope
''Oh, no! Oh, yes. | can't quite make
it out-but-I'm afraid my poor uncle is
dead"
"Your uncle:"
Yes. yes. Ny fathers brother think
told you about him. He went abroad
years ago. and wc-Joycc and L. believed
him dead long time ago, long before
married you even-but now Come here
and read it. 1t is worded so oddly that
it puzzles me-
Let me see it, says Monkton.
He sinks into an easychair and dracs
her down on to his knees the better to see
over her shoulder. Thus satisfactorily ar
ranged. he begins to read rapidly the let
ter she holds before his eyes.
Yes. dead, indeed" says he. soto voce.
go on, turn ever: you mustn't fret about
that. you know. Barbara-cr-cr- read
ing. "What's this? BY Jove.'
"What?' says his wife. anxiouslv.
What is the meaning of this horrid let
ter Freddy:'
There are 4 few people who might not
call it horrid.' says Monkton. placing his
arm round her and rising from the chair
He is looking very grave. Even though
it brings you news of your poor unclc'S
death. still it brings you. too, the informa-
tion that you are hcircss to about a quar-
ter of a Million"
What says Barbara, family. And
then, "Oh. no. Oh, nonsense. there must
be some mistake
We'll. it sounds like it. at all events.
Sad occurrence hm-h'm-'' reading.
g 'CO-heiresscs. Very considerable for
tune" He looks to the signature of the
letter. =" 'Hodgson & Fair Very rcspcc-
table firm, My father has had dealings
with them. They say your uncle died in
Sydney, and has left behind him an inn
nsense sum of money. Half million. in
fact, to which you and Joyce are co-heir-
cSSeS."
There must be some mistake" repeats
Barbara. in low tone. 1T seems too like
a fairy tale
1T does. And yet lawyers like Hodc-
son & Fair are not likely to he led into a
CGl-dc-sac. lf-he pauscs and looks earn
cstly at his wife-'if it does prove true.
Barbara, you will be very rich woman"
And you will he rich with me-" She
says. quickly, in an agitated tone But,
but
Yes; it does seem difficult to believe"
interrupts he, slowly. What a letter.
His eyes fall on it again, and She draw
ing close to him, reads it once more care
fully.
Il think there is some truth in it," saws
she, at last. 1T sounds more like being
ali right. more reasonable. when read
second time"
She steps a little bit away from him and
rests her beautiful eyes full on his.
Have you thought" says she. slowly.
that if there is truth in this story. how
much we can do for your father ana moth
err
Monkton starts as If stuug. For them.
To DO anything for them. For the two
who had so wantonly offended ana insult
ed her during all her married life. IS her
first thought to be for them?
Yes, yes" says she. eagerly. We shall
be able to help them ont OF all their diff
culties. Oh, didn't say much to you. but
their grief, their troubles. have gone to
my very heart. | couldn't bear 10 think
OF their being obliged to give mp thcir
houses. their comforts, and in their old
age. too, Now we shall lie able to smooth
matters for them
Monkton had to run across to London
about the extraordinary legacy left To his
wife and Joyce. But further inycStiga-
ton proved the story true. The money
was, indeed, there. and they were the
only heirs. From being distinctly poor
they rose to the height Of a very rcSpecta-
hle income. and Monkton being in town.
whore the old MonktonS still were. also
was commanded 10y his wife to 90 10 them
and pay of their largest HabiIi5ies-dcbt>
contracted by the dead son. aud to 80 ar
range that they should not lie at the no
cessi'y Of leaving themselves houScIcss
The Manchester people who had taken
the old place in WarwickShire were now
Informed that they could not have ii he
yond the term agreed on. but about this
the old people had something to say. too
They would not take hack the family
place. They had but one son now. auI the
sooner he went 10 live there the better
Lady Monkton. completely broken down
and melted hy Barbara's generosity. went
so far as to send her long letter. tc.lin.
her it would be the dearest wish OF hers
md Sir f-.1-r-F'l Il. &