The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-09-25

toward her, that have nothingT
Nothing from your father, madam"
But my mothers estater'
81 regret to say" said Master Flick
lin, that most of it has been convert
I'd into money and lost by your ia
ther. There is left In my hands, ma
dam, only matter OF some $1,000,
out at interest. which you, being now
Of full age
Il was eighteen on my last birth
day."
Exactly, so that it is at your pres
ent disposal"
What shape is 1t in?"
at is invested in consols."
"Can they be realized uponr
INSTANTLY"
ITO advantageT
"Most certainly"
II thank you, Master Ficklin, for
your provident care of my little for
tune 1t is most unexpected" she fal-
tered.
Believe me. Mistress Lucy, IL is a
happiness to do anything for you," said
the old attorney, rising and gathering
up his papers and bowling low before
her! "You may command me in every
thing A temporary loan orr
THANK you, Master Ficklin," said
Mistress Lucy; you touch me greatly,
but | need nothing at present. My ia
ther made me an allowance and gener-
ally paid it. 1t was a generous one.
and, living alone as l did, l did not
spend it. have few hundred
pounds in my own name at the bank,
and with that for temporary use and
my mothers legacy l shall lack moth
ing"
But where win you live. Mistress
Lucy?'
{ 1T matters little." she answered list
lessly.
MY sister and l." said the old attor-
ney, live alone in the county town.
The house is large. If you would ac-
cept our hospitality until your future
is decided we should be vastly hon.
ored."
II accept your kindly proffer most
thankfully" was her reply. II have
been invited to various homes here
and there in the county; but prefer to
go to you"
Good" said Master Ficklin briskly.
THAT is settled then. l am empow-
cred by those who hold the mortgage
TO tell you that the pictures of your
father or mother or anything strictly
personal they waive their claim to-"
THANK you" said Mistress Lucy. "I
shall take but small advantage of their
generosity"
II know that" answered Master
Ficklin, land now / will return to the
town. If you will be ready about
O'Clock" Qt was then about p II will
return and fetch you to our home"
4 II shall be ready. Goodby."
The little lawyer bent over her hand
and left the room | sat dumb and
silent during the whole interview, al
though | had listened to everything
with the deepest interest. AS usual, 1t
was she who broke the silence when
we were alone again.
Master Hampton" she began, ito
what sorry pass am reduced! What
shall do now"
MY lady," said /, "the sorriest part
of the pass to which you have been
brought is that you have in me such
a poor counselor, rough sailor, but
one who would, nevertheless. give his
hearts blood to promote your welfare,
or do you any service"
Now. as l said that / laid my hand
on the breast of my coat. and as
bent awkwardly enough toward her
/ could not even bow as gracefully as
the little attorney just departed-I felt
the paper which l had taken from Sir
Geoffrey's hand and which / had en-
tirely forgotten in the hurry and con-
fusion of the days that had followed
his death. stood open mouthed
with surprise and shame at my care
less forgetfulness. and stared at her.
What is it?' she asked, instantly
noting my amaze.
II am a fool. madam, laundering
fool" saia l, drawing forth the paper,
'here is letter addressed to you
which should have delivered at
once" continued, extending it toward
her.
She tore open the envelope as she
spoke and drew forth a letter, un-
folded 1t and there dropped from 1t a
little piece of parchment which / in
stantly picked up and extended to her,
but she was so engrossed in the letter
that she did not see my action and
paid no attention to my outstretched
hand
looked at the parchment l held in
my hand. 1t was evidently the half
Of a larger sheet which had been torn
In two. The right half was in my
possession. A glance showed me that
1t was part of rudely drawn map.
apparently OF an island. although lack
ing the other half of that I could not
be quite certain. 1t was lettered In
characters which were very old and
quaint, and some figures in the upper
left hand corner gave latitude. The
outlines of the map and the letters
and figures were all very dim and
faded.
My lady's letter was a short one. for