Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-04-19

a. uiSsoiute brother. He had very
A'''e u tell on his return, and that of the
saddest. it had all been only too true
ABOUT certain iniquitous debts. and the
oid people were in great distress. The
TWO town houses should be let ut once
anu the old place in Warwickshire-the
nome, as he had called it-well. there was
no nope now that it would ever be re-
oeemeo from the hands of Manchester
people who held it: and Sir George had
oeen SO sure that this spring he would
nave been in a position to get back his
own and have the old place once more in
nis possession. 1t was all very sad.
There Is no hope now. He will have
to let the place to Barton for the next ten
years, said Monkton to his wife when
be got home. Barton was the Manchester
man. He is still holding off about doing
it. but he knows it must be done. and at
all events the reality won't be a bit worse
than the thinking about it. Poor old gov
ernor! You wouldn't know him, Bar
bara. He has gone to skin and bone, and
such frightened sort Of look in his eyes"
oh, poor. poor old man. cried Bar
bara, who could forget everything of past
unkindness where her sympathies were
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. good many new people un-
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 a point of the
girls being with her. Joyce had gone to her
but sparingly. and always in fear and
trembling. 1t was so 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 a 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
were expected during the week.
That news leaves her rather unstrung
and nervous to-day. After luncheon, hav-
ing successfully eluded Tommy. the lynx.
eyed, she decides upon goine for a-ionx
walk, with view to working of the de-
preston to which she had become a 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
dicious spring day has worn itself almost
TO close when Monkton. entering his
wife's room, where she is busy at a sew
ing machine altering a frock for Mabel
drops a letter over her shoulder into her
lap.
What queer-looking letter." says she.
staring in amazement at the big official
envelope.
l. Mrs. Monkton has broken open the en-
velope. and is now scanning hurriedly the
contents of the important looking docu-
ment within. There is a pause-a length
ened one. Presently Barbara rises from
her seat mechanically. as it were. always
with her eyes fixed on the letter in her
hand. She has grown a little pale-a little
frown is contracting her forehead.
"FreddyT says she, in a rather strange
tone.
"WhatY' says he, quickly. mo more
bad news, hope"
''Oh, no! Oh, yes! can't quite make
IT out-but-rm afraid my poor uncle is
dead"
"Your uncleT
Eyes, yes. My fathers brother. think
/ told you about him. He went abroad
years ago, and we-Joyce and l. believed
him dead a 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 drags
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.
Eyes. dead, indeed" says he, sotto voce
nGo on. turn over: you mustn't fret about
that, you know, Barbara-er-er-" read
ing. whats this? By Jove!'
"What?" says his wife, anxiously.
.What is the meaning Of this horrid let.
ter Freddy?
"There are a 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
lit brings you news Of your poor uncle's
death. still it brings you, too, the informa-
tion that you are heiress to about quar-
tier of a million!
WHAT says Barbara. family. And
then. 'Oh, no! oh. nonsense! there must
he some mistake"
"WeIl. it sounds like it. at all events
SSa0 occurrence IL - IL N-o
:" 'Co-heiresses. Very considerable for
hume" He looks to the signature OF the
letter. ".Hodgson & Fair Very respec
table firm! My father has had dealings
with them. They say your uncle died in
sydney. and has left behind him an i'm
Lnense sum of money. Half a million. In
fact. to which you and Joyce are co-heir
esses."
"There must be some mistake" repeats
barbara. in a low tone. ut seems too like
q fairy tale"
at does And yet lawyers like Hodg
nm & Fair are not likely to be led into .
cuI-de-sac. Ir'-he pauses and looks earn
estIy at his wife-"if it does prove true.
Barbara, you will be a very rich woman.
"And you will be rich with me. sne
.ays. quickly, In an agitated tone. But
but ,., ,,
eyes: it does seem difficult to believe;
,nterrupts he, slowly. "What a letter.!
His ewes fall on it again. and she, draw
inc close to him, reads it once more care
fully. ;.nsov.
II think there is some truth IN IT, says
sbe at last. at sounds more like being
ali right, more reasonable, when reao
second time" .,,d
She steps little bit away from nj" anu
costs her beautiful eyes full on his.
"Have you thought" says she' Slowly,
10