The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-01-13

| Anne sat down with sigh of de-
light on Spanish sofa which had been
brought from the parlor of an ancient
convent in Mexico, the mother superior
being glad to sell a thing so black with
i age for good money, wherewith to re-
furnish the chapel, where mass had
been said from the time of the Spanish
conquest
One of the proprietors of this fas-
c1natlng place came leisurely forward.
His was kindly face and one which
bore the stamp of keen intelligence
and of much culture.
His manner was quiet and pleasant.
Where did that lovely thing come
from?" Alme asked, pointing to a
bronze candelabrum, from whose twist
ed branches hung small, glittering
crystal drops. They threw shafts of
light over the tesselated flooring. as
the late afternoon sun, pouring through
the open door, glanced upon them.
Just recently it came from a resi-
dence in Mexico, which belonged to the
decadent descendants of time-hon-
ored house of Spain. The lady who
lived in 1t died in poverty and every
thing was sold by public crier-what
we call auXtionnaire. Originally that
candelabrum must have been brought
from Seville. Look close and you will
see a name.
1T is that of a famous artist of the
fourteenth century. His name appears
in old records of the art works of that
period in Spain"
Anne sprang up and questioned Gag
erly.
McFerson looked at his watch. with
smile, and put it back in his pocket.
You said something about desk?"
he remarked.
oh, yes. | want particularly love-
ly Louis XIV. desk. OF course you
have one? I'll hang that candelabra
right above it. It's a thousand times
more artistic than ours. The light
from it will be charming
The proprietor led the way to a
certain high-ceiled room, whose con-
tents made Alme express her delight
with warmth and decision.
Alme had been so much absorbed in
her examination of the beautiful OBJ
Jets darts, crowding on all sides, she
mad hardly noticed small, daintily
dressed, old-fashioned woman, who.
with her black satin skirt, black lace
shawl, wealth of white hair and
strange, old-time bonnet, seemed to be-
long to another period.
Come in and look around. Miss
Hortense; nothing new to-day" the
proprietor said in a pleasant voice as
she stood timidly in the doorway.
She came forward with Identified
gentle air, and began peering about
among the furniture in an anxious
way, and when Alme spoke of desk
she drew close to her and listening
TO her followed her eagerly.
Il am anxious to see a lady's desk
myself-an old desk with bronze door
trimmings Quite pretty thing. My
mother's, she said, in low voice,
holding Alraa,s--slooua-- sAIr--Aaeten-
has promised to get it for me. He will
some day. There is will locked up in
it; my grandfather's will. 1t will be
found, of course. Everything was sold
While was away-everything 1t was
quite number of years ago. drop
in occasionally to see if they have
found the desk for me- My lawyer
tried to trace it Tor me, but perhaps
you have noticed, my dear young lady,
that lawyers are not very efficient. So
| have undertaken to find the desk
and the will myself with Mr.. Norton's
kind assistance. Yes, yes; it will turn
up some day. 1t is my grandfather's
will l have inherited great wealth.
a vast amount OF landed estate-auite
a large property. | would be very
patient, my dear, about the will and
content to wait, only you see must
send Rene to college My sisters son.
A fine lad. He must have every educa-
tional advantage, SO l must hurry to
find the testament which is to place
me in possession of the land. In my
will leave it all to Rene. Nothing
new, to-day Mr. Norton?"
Her voice was sweet and low and her
manner gentle and refined, and she re-
minded Alme of an old-fashioned pic
ture. Her rambling talk caught Alme's
attention, who looked down compass
sionately on the small, pathetic lit
tie figure.
She is perfectly harmless We lei
her come and wander around as long
as she cares to do so. They were all
very wealthy people formerly, and to-
day this elderly lady and the lad
Rene, her nephew, are all that are left
Of them. They are in sadly reduced
circumstances. The boy works cheer
fully and hard"
"Who supports them?" Alme asked,
feeling of immense pity yelling in
her heart for the poor. forlorn little
woman whose troubles had evidently
brought her to her present benighted
condition.
Her neighbors. This is poor but
a kindly neighborhood."
where does she live?" whispered
Alme, as the little figure moved softly
away
"she lives right next door," Mr..
hH<Nr,tx i L