St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-02-06
Turning, she saw the frail, del;snte

gaze fixed in trembling anxiety on the
desk, her face drawn and gray, while
her lips moved inaudibly.
"What is it? For heavens sake
J what is the matter?' Alme said,
throwing an arm around the thin,
trembling form to support her.
II knew we would find tiny
mothers desk. Mr.. Norton said some
day he would have it brought back, !"
she said, ip small faint voice. ''The
will is in there-my grandfather's will.
The key is on this chain. l always
wear it around my neck, because there
Is so much land and property men
toned it is safer. Take it, my dear.
The top of the desk is double. Dc you
see the key hole? Open it. Your
young eyes are better than mine. Give
me the papers. l promised ny law
yers / would bring the document to
them as soon as I found it. You see,
it means enormous wealth. Take the
key, my dear, and open it. How for
tunate you came; l am not as strong
and young as I used to be, and the
sight of my mothers desk has affected
me. Her name was Flore d'Aurillac.
Her initials are in silver inside. l felt
confident that with the assistance OF
my good Mr.. Norton l would some day
get back my own again. 1t is for
Rene's sake"
She held out small gilded key, her
transparent hand trembling violently.
TO Mr.
Norton whispered over her head to
Alme, slipping his arm around Miss
Hortense, whose deadly pale face
leaned against him, as ii she were
about to faint.
Alme took the key, and, talking en-
couragingly, placed it where Miss Hor-
tense told her.
To her intense surprise the lid
opened, and in the narrow space lay
a slim folded paper, yellow with age,
and tied with faded ribbon.
Mr.. Norton gave an exclamation Of
equal establishment as Alme took it
from its longtime repository and
handed it to Miss Hortense.
With a look of profound compassion
he placed it gently in her trembling
fingers.
"Why, Miss Hortense, this is great
find. But you are not feeling very
strong to-day. Suppose you let me take
this will of your grandfather's to your
lawyer? Judge Duval, is it not? He
will come around and see you and start
proceedings to get all your property
back for you and Rene. He'll call
round tonight. Suppose you let me
take you to your room?"
Lifting her gently and saying he
would be back in few minutes, Mr..
Norton went out.
Alme stood listening to the sound OF
his careful steps down the passage
way, deeply moved by the strange lit
tie tragedy.
In the other room Dan McFerson was
discussing the respective merits of
Flemish and French oak of the middle
centuries.
Excuse me for keeping you wait
ing" the dealer in curios said, coming
back some ten minutes later. 1T was
a singular find, but it will make her
happy for the few remaining years she
has to live, poor SOUL"
"Was it the will?" Alme asked, clos
ing the lid of the pretty desk.
Mr., Norton shook his head.
"An old love letter; best destroyed
and forgotten. But she thinks it is
the will and is rejoicing in the thought
Of the boys future and laying out great
plans for him.
poor little thing" A1me said, COM
passionately. What will become Of
Rene when she dies?"
':He will be cared for the art dealer
said, quietly. "He is a good, honest
lad. Well make a civil engineer OF
him. That's better than giving him
Chevalier d'Auriliiac's wealth."
Alme turned and shook hands warm
ly with Mr. Norton without speaking,
her brown eyes little misty. although
her smile was winsome and bright.
Have you concluded your pur-
chases?" McFerson said, coming in and
taking out his watch.
Some Of them-yes. This lovely
desk, and the old Spanish chandelier,
and the buhl chiffonnier, it's dear,
and
Better come back another day. It's
rather late, you know. We have dim
ner engagement. We have been here
exactly one hour and half"
Good heavens! had no idea it was
SO late" Alme said, leading the way
ont
Mr.. Norton helped her in the coupe.
while McFerson filled out a check.
"Good-by. hope Miss Hortense will
feel better Tomorrow" Alme said
through the window as they drove
rapidly away.
who's Miss Hortense?'' McFersoa
asked.
"a fragile little plaything of fate
the dearest little old-timey lady you
ever saw. Was it very much, DAM"
cit might have been worse" Meier
son answered. "Only $780, Then
added: We'll say quits, AL l got
that Flemish oak library set for 81 900.
It's goodlooking furniture"
Alme leaned back and laughed with
entire enjoyment.
The next day Miss Hortense received
a box of flowers with Alme's card.-N.
0. Times-Democrat.
HIS MAXIMS CAME AFTER.
SeIf-Male Man Worked Too Hard