The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-04-18

fstartfng up, that Matilda has not an
Income Of ten thousand a year?" The
Igenlai old fellow on the sofa laughed
pleasantly. She has not got \ six
pence, he said. She had a fortune
OF ten thousand a year. but She for
-1eited it by marrying without her step
mothers consent" The Earl calmly
TOOK a copy of the Will of ST George
out OF the document box and read
not only the part Lady Griffin had
him but the whole of il. n Earl
was right; Matilda was d pauper.
Deuceace sank down in a chair. a
picture of despair. He writhed and
snashed his teeth; he tore open his
coat; he waved the stump of his left
hand until finally he threw it over his
face and wept aloud. My lord mean
While lit a fresh cigar. When Algy
was calmer, the Earl continued: Il
wished to leave YOU in peace with
your our thousand pounds. upon
which you might have lived decently
and quietly in Germany. But she
Would not have it; she was deter
mined to ruin you. and YOU see she
mas. An, you rogue, You thought to
match your poor old father, did you?
But w mind. Luncheon will soon
be ready. In the meantime have
8 glass Of Burgundy and a cigar"
Matilda! Matilda screamed Deu-
ceace' starting up, and the poor crook
ed thing came In at his call. rs
1t true, woman. that you are a pauper
for marrying without your mothers
consent, that you have not q penny,
that you basely lied to me in order
to bring about our match, hat you
are a sWindler in conspiracy with that
his wife," TT Is true" sobbed the
poor oman thu l have nothing
but-you dearest, have two thousand
pounds a year. Is that not enough
for us two? Oh. Algy, you ave told
Two t~housand!" exclaimed my
lord, two thousand! Ha, ha. ha,
that Is the best thing 1 ever heard,
upon my word. Why, my good
creature, he has not q, penny How
the excellent old gentleman Tic en-
joy the joke! Matilda went to a
chair and wept in quiet. "Ah. my
boy went On Lord Crabs, II told
you l would have you when you re-
fused to lend me a part of the Daw-
kins money, and I did had you
luncheon is ready; shall We go In %
MY lord sad Deuceace very hum
bly,, II shall not share your hospital
ity. But you know my condition, sir;
you know the way my wife has beer
brought up The Hon. Mrs. Deu-
shall always find a home here as. il
nothing had happened to interrupt
the friendship between her deal
mother and herself And for me
Sir, I hope-I trust-that 1 shall no
be Forgotten" Forget YOU? Ger.
tainly not" And that YOU will make
|some proVisiOn?"
"Algernon Deuceace,' sale my lord
Igetting up from the sofa and look.
ing his son in the face with iiendisf
malignity./ 4 declare before HEAVIER
that I Will never give you a penny
iHereupon he held out his hand to Ma.
tilda and said: My love, will you
join your mother and me? We shall
always have a home for you" MY
lord" replied Matilda with a bow
my home is with him"
About three months after, when the
season was beginning at Paris and thu
autumn leaves We're on the ground
Lord and Lady Crabs were strolling
in the Bots de Boulogne, the carriage
which they had left slowly driving
on ahead. They were as happy as
possible and were admiring the gOlde-
~Isunset and the pleasant woods. Lord
lCrabs was expatiat:ng to his lady
upon the beauties Of the scene and
Ipouring forth a food Of poetic and
yirtuous sentiments suitable to the
place and hour. An said he, black
must be the heart, my love. which
does not feel the influence of a scene
like this; gathering, as it were. from
the suniit skies & portion OF the
celestial gold"
Lady Crabs did not speak, bu,
Ipressed the arm Of her lord. The
carriage drew up and my lord and my
lady sauntered toward it. Just at the
Iplace where the carriage had stopped
was q bench, on which sat a poorly
dressed woman and by her side, lean
ing against q tree, stood the Hon. AL
gernon Percy Deuceace. His coat was
shabby, it's seams were white. its but
tons copper. A torn hat was on his
head: he was unshaven n his hair
frowsy and unkempt. He was as pale
as marble. Lord and Lady Crabs
took not the slightest notice of him
or OF Matilda. AS they passed Deu-
ceace got a grip upon the shoulder
of Matilda. who was holding down her
head and sobb:ng bitterly. As soon
AS Lord n Lady Crabs were seated
in their carriage they burst out into
Ia fit of boisterous and hearty laughter.