Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-27

shot was we opened the parcel and there
we found a full confession OF everything,
so we are Just on a road Of velvet. l have
taken the liberty Of appointing Nichols
your solicitor, In eighteen months you'll be
Of age and entitled to paddle your own
canoe; till then-may l ask for a glass of
water? My throat Is as dry as a chip
with talking"
I'm sure my Oracle would never be so
ungrateful to the family we have served
SO long a. to rob Captain de Burgh Of his
birthrIght,' said Grannie, solemnly and
TREMENDOUSLY.
why, bless you soul. mR'am." cried the
doctor. sure she Is the family herself,
and remember, she owes a duty to her dead
mother"
II am too dazed to speak," said Grace.
II cannot believe that these lands and
woods, the great house, the horses and
carriages-everything-can be mine. 1t
makes me tremble. But whoever and what
ever l am, you will always be my own dear
Grannie." embracing the old woman.
Seldom had a case been dwelt on with
more excitement and interest in society
than the de Burgh succession. 1t was
soon decided-as the object was only to
prove publicly and satisfactorily that
Grace de Burgh was "the heiress Of
Thoresby."
After matters had become public Grace
and Mrs. Norton came to London to avoid
the gossip and wonder OF their surround
ings at Thoresby, DR.. Maedermot acting
as guide, philosopher and friend.
"You are not going to foreign parts with
out saying goodbye to the Lady of
] Thoresby,"- he exclaimed one morning
when he had called on Ashton and found
him packing. Faith, you are the queerest
fellow ever l knew. She'll be hurt-bit-
terly hurt-if you do not go to see her. Do
you know, | am not at all pleased with
her state Of health. She is pale and thin
nervous and In a depressed condition.
Come along and tell me what you think Of
her"
"Oh, she doesn't want to see me-"
How do you know? You come with me.
What do you think she has been and gone
and done?"
"How can I tellT"
Thrown twenty thousand to the dogs,
! no less-to the dogs-or rather to one
puppy. She pays all de Burgh's debts and
| gives him a trihe to begin on. He has ex-
changed from the Guards to a regiment go
ing to India"
HAS he!' exclaimed Ashton, in great
surprise. IT anticipated his succeeding to
Thoresby by right matrimonial. I I'm GER
tain he was in love with Grace mean Miss
de Burch."
And small blame to him. Come. get
your hat, man"
Ashton opened his lips TO say mo-" but
that disagreeable monosyllable refused to
come. He t~hereupon obeyed In silence.
The sitting room was unoccupied when
they wereashown up to Miss de Burgh's
apartments in a we'll known hotel and
Ashton, looking round. noticed that this
only a temporary abode in a hotel-there
was a homelike look about the room.
In a few minutes Grace entered. She was
very simply dressed, but her frock fitted
and suited the wearer admirably.
Am l a snob," Ashton asked himself,
Ito think her more distinguished tina she
used to be- No. she is really. It's careful
dressing and complete certainty of her po-
sition. But how white and nervous she
looks. Ah-and sweeter than ever"
And you are going to desert u.s." she
was saying. Where are you going. Mr..
Ashton ?"
81 do not exactly know-somewhere along
the borderland OF Russia and Circassla-al-
most every country is hackneyed now"
Il wish you would not go. Mr.. Ashton
exclaimed Grace, playing nervously with
the tassel OF the sofa cushion, against
which she leant.
Il cannot flatter myself that my going
or staying can make much difference to
you"
II hate to part with friends-true friends
like you"
Why do you rank me SO high? How
have l proved myselfg"
by Offering to share the smiles that
fortune bestowed upon you with me-your