Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-12-20
Leola Dale's
Fortune -=
.>s~s~a~s~&~s>s~s>s~ss
By Charles Garvice

mo-" said Leola.
"A beautiful place!" said the old
gentleman. Il wonder your mother
never spoke of that. One of the most
beautiful places in the kingdom! An
historical place! There are fourteen
hundred acres altogether, and the
house is simply one of the grandest
old places in the world. She never
spoke of it?"
Il do not remember" said Leola.
And yet she was born there!" said
the old gentleman, and it is a place
one could scarcely forget. There is
not more beautiful place in Eng
land" and he slapped his knee gently.
Well, well, perhaps I'd better tell
you. Godfrey Lorme, your uncle,
you know, had quarreled with his sis
ter, your mother, because she chose
to marry the man of her choice-your
father, you know"
Leola made gesture with her
hand to denote that she understood.
Well, they quarreled-that is, your
uncle quarrelei. He was, | am free
to confess, a hot-headed man. |
don't think yom mother was much to
/ blame. Well, your mother and your
father went abroad. Your father was
IA music-master, wasn't he?"
Leola inclined her head.
And your uncle never forgave
them, did he?"
# suppose not" said Leola, YEARLY
"And there he was. at Lorme Abbey,
all alone. His eldest brother was
dead, and his sister-your mother
had married and left him. Hem!
and you say you give music lessons? Q"
he broke off, nodding q he piano.
Yes" said Leola, Iering faint
" at his abruptness-''. IS, / wish to
do So"
Perhaps" said the old gentleman
hesitatingly, you wouldn't mind play
ing something-thati is if you are not
too tired?"
Leola went to the piano. and struck
a few notes.
The old gentleman got up and
turned over the books upon the table
Presently he came across a large
family Bible, and opened it at the
title-page.
There was written the record of the
marriage of Honoria Lorme with
George Dale, and the birth of Leola
Dale. The old gentleman read this
carefully, and closed the hook, pat
ting it with general appreciation and
satisfaction.
Thank you, that will do" he said;
rou play very nicely-very nicely
I'D you wish to give lessons? Dear
vel"
Leola turned towar4 him.
Il do not mind wrat do to earn a
living" she said Il would rather
teach music, because think I can do
so; but"
Anything else would do" he said,
breaking in. yes, yes,-I under
stand. And now, you don't remember
anything about Lorme Abbev, you
say? 1t was your mothers SJme be-
fore she was married, you know.
Wouldn't you like to see it?'
Leola smiled sadly and YEARLY.
Il do not think there is much chance
of my seeing it," she said. "All L
want to do is to earn enough to keep
body and soul together l am-very
poor, SIR" she said with break in
her voice.
Heaven bless my SOUL" muttered
the old gentleman.
Then lie came and stool beside her
Miss Dale-dear Miss DALE
think told you that your uncle was
dead, didn't L? Well, meant to do
so. Well, OF course he left will
now I hope you won't give way I've
endeavored to break it gently, have
indeed-well, he left a will. He was
immensely rich--iGmensely! There is
not only the Abbey, but large, a very
large personal property. He left a
will; l am his solicitors drew it up
for him; that is my card
And he thrust card into her hand.
Leola read It mechanically, John
Ford, solicitor"
Il am John Ford" said the old gen
tleman. Il drew up the will, and a
very properly drawn win it is. Your
uncle, Godf~'y Lor.ne, was, as say,
very rich IN. end he left the Abbey
and all he possessed-wi you have a
glass of wine?"
Leola made a gesture of refusal.
We'll, well" resumed the lawyer;
4gl. Lee, bet1n rf f=
property to his sister, Honoria Dale, in
case of her death TO her eldest child"
He paused, out of breath, and, If
the truth must be told. trembling.
To ha fnutjDupd