The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-06-10
CHAPTER XII.
Continued.

child. Heaven knows that 1t is
not OF my seeking, she cried, pas
Bionately !" But look here! have
something to show you" She drew,
out of her breast suddenly q little.
silver box, about four inches long,
and very slender. Look at this, she
said, opening it. Within the case lay;
small, white, peeled wand, forked
ct the end After my mothers
death" she said, aNanon took this
from her breast, and gave it to me.
She did not know what 1t was, but
Imagined it to be some precious relic.'
and she desired me never to part with
1t. For many years ! always wore it
under the same impression, and such
was my awe of it, for always inn
Rgined that it might be a portion
from the true Cross, that never.
I'LL about two years ago. took it out
Of the case Then curious thing
occurred. Our professor of literature
was giving us lecture about legends
and myths. His lectures were very
interesting; he illustrated them by
reading the account OF the search for
minerals with the diyining rod, In
THE AntiQuary' Then he spoke OF
the shape of the rod and the position
an which experts used to make use Of
it, lightly held with both. hands.
Arthur saw the same strange look
that he had remarked before coming
over her face, and he hastily inter-
rupted her. Tell me, he said, II
suppose you then recognized the
shape of your relic.
She started and became herself
again. Yes, our professor told me
to take the greatest care Of 1t, that it
was most curious and valuable from
an antiquarian point OF view. He re-
moved 1t from its case to examine it
more closely, and then. for the first
time, I perceived that there was Al
slip Of paper. on which a few words
were written in my mothers handi
writing, underneath it. Yon may
read it If you like. "
Arthur took the tiny little scrap of
paper from her hand: it was yellow
with age, and the handwriting faint
and pale. The words were in French.
MY beloved little one, to you / leave
the legacy of our hereditary power.
+ dare not refuse to do SO, for it may
be the gift Of God for. the doing Of
His divine will: but conjure you,
MS you value the blessing Of your dy-
ing mother, never use it but to save
aife. Not even to fulfill justice, un-
less to save from injustice. God bless
and keep my darling. !.
You did not tell any one else OF
fhis, did your" said Arthur.
No. never dared talk of my
mother, her name was too sacred to
me; to speaker her was to lay bare
HE whole tenderness of my heart. I
never loved anyone well enough to
do that
Arthur started, and the color
flushed into his cheeks.
II am glad you did not speak of it, !"
he said, gently. But all this is no
proof. You have never used It, Of
conrse?n
Never! have the greatest ter
TOR and dread of it. But, alas! cam
mot divest myself Of the idea that it
i ever took 1t In my hands 1t would
pass beyond my control; that
III you feel that said Arthur,
firmly, you should not keep it in
your possession. "
What can ! dor she said. II
dare not part with it. I have stood
over the fire many and many a time
longing to. east it in, but ! dare not
MY mothers words have elevated
this horrible power from q terrible
misfortune into sacred trust.
dare not destroy. it..
Then place it in the hands OF
some friend YOU can absolutely trust
That Is my advice, said Arthur.
have no friends. /" she answered;
mot one whom could count upon. =
Gould you not trust me?" said
Arthur. IT would do all can to
deserve your trust, ifyou can believe
It after SO very short time of friend
ship"
II do. will. she said. aYou are
so good to me- But am selfish; you
have only known me two days, and
yet already trouble you with my
sorrows; and have suffered a great
deal
Arthur pointed to the little silver
case that was lying on Antoinette's
knee. Dear Madamoisel1e,s he said,
will you let me put my friendship
to the proof and take charge of that
for you? think it VIII relieve you
to feel that it is out of your own pos
session.
Yes. /. she answered. taking it up.
But before / conflde it to you must
ask you to promise me that Tiff the
conditions my mother mentions
should ever make 1t my duty to use
It, yon will give it to me-"
win swear it If you like. , he an
swered. ~but, please God. that will
never be.