The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-07-22
Continued from page 81
A HIDDEN INHERITANCE.

tions, she was inclined to neglect her
self in the latter respect, preferring
to save the money for some household
requisite or for some little surprise"
for himself.
Dear Cynthia! dear girl! And all
the while her cheeks grew thinner
and paler, her eyes more big and visit
full. If only he could take her away
somewhere for time, away from the
cares of the house, from all the petty
anxieties and pitiful economies, some
haven of fresh air and good food and
quiet, dreamless sleep where she
might rest and grow strong! How
much even few of Aunt Helen's
crisp banknotes might have done for
them now. "Oh, Aunt Helen" he
thought, miserably, 'you little knew
how cruel you were going to be-"
His eyes rested with mingled fas-
cination and dislike on the great old
chair on the other side of the fire
place. There was no mistaking it,
''the old arm chair in which his aunt
had spent the greater part of her
later enfeebled years. Even in his
childhood, he remembered now, that
same old chair had always fascinated
him somehow, with it's great high back
and deep embrasure, and it's four hand
some legs of old black mahogany, re-
vised in the shape of eagles claws
with the birds hooked beak and gilt
tering eyes above, and wide, richly
carved wings spread out on either
side. 1t was handsome and no
doubt valuable chair, despite is solid
gloominess of aspect. But at that
moment he felt that he hated and
abhorred it.
What would Cynthia say or think
when it was carried home to her,
their one at present available legacy
and asset out of all that Aunt Helen
had possessed? But, of course, he
knew she would say nothing. She
would be just as sweet, perhaps only
| little more loving and tender with
him than before. And yet she must
feel disappointed if only for his sake,
poor girl. Though he never discussed
his aunt's wealth or the matter of it's
likely disposal with her, she could not
be without knowing he had expecta-
tons. Of course the matter of his
marriage had caused disunion for a
time, but ever since the birth of
Baby Helen, whom they had named
after her, Hugh had noticed very
great softening in his old aunt's atti-
tude towards her recreant nephew.
This made his present disappoint-
ment only the keener; he shrank
from going home to meet Cynthia's
questioning gaze. And so it hap
pened that when he did get back from
his work full hour later than usual,
he found the hateful old armchair
already arrived before him.
To his poignant embarrassment and
regret Cynthia was frankly enraptured
with it.
what a beautiful old chair!" she
cried. did anyone ever see such
: handsome legs and wonderful carv
ing?"
"And such lovely horse-hair cover
ing" Hugh said with grim smile OF
sarcasm.
: ooh, that part of it can be easily
remedied," Cynthia nodded, uncon
sciously paraphrasing the words Of
Aunt Helen's will. 'Still, even as il
stands, it's beauty I'm sure it is
worth at least ten pounds, my dear
eff I thought it was" said Hugh, il
somewhat unnecessary savage tones
"Id sell it tomorrow"
81 think I should rather keep it
especially as it was your aunt's favor
tie chair" she began.
f 81 am very glad you like it sc
much," he said bitterly, and letting
, his face fall in his hands, especially
, as it's about all of Aunt Helens prop
erty we are ever likely to possess.
Cynthia's lids quivered second
and the lines of her pretty mouth
took downward curve. She said
nothing, however, but went over ant
l laid soft arm tenderly about he,
!, husbands shoulder.
"Is that why you are SO cross p
she asked, STOPPING to plant kiss
on the top of his head just allow
the brows where his hair began lat
: terly to show prematurely grey.
! Gam I cross, dear?" he asked peni
tently. Il am sorry. But you see
was thinking chiefly of YOU"
! Il am all right, Hugh" she sait
! with well-feigned cheerfu1ness, though
there was a perceptible tremor in he
voice. "The only thing am SORT.
: for, Hugh, if you had not married
me this would not have happened
: "You are not sorry, dear, that mar
$ ried you, are you?" he asked in tone
e of exceeding tenderness. 81 am not
anyhow. And after all why should
d quarrel with Aunt Helen's disposition
J. of her property? She warned M
2 what would happen if / displease'