Year: 1872

Yes, this is a queer old house,
and there is q story connected
with it, which, perhaps, You would
like to hear. It is 4 bitter night,
so draw your chair near this crack
ling wood fire, and don't start so
every time old Boreas whistles
through the hall, or sends his imps
to beat tattoo on the window
panes. Now YOU look comfortable,
l will begin.


An old gentleman and his Two
grand.sons once lived here, sole
Survivors OF a numerous family.
One was the son Of the old mans
eldest boy, aud the other Of his
only daughter. When they were
quite young, they were bright,
handsome lads, and seemed to well
merit the loving pride, with which
their grandfather regarded them.


The eldest who was ten years
Of age and but six months older
than his cousin, betrayed the
Spanish blood which be derived
from his mother in his clear olive
skin, and dark curling locks !;
while the ruddy cheeks, frank blue
eyes. and finely cut lips Of the
younger equally denoted the pure
Saxon descent.


As time passed on, the grandfa-
ther became uneasy at observing
the domineerins spirit of Maurice
the elder, over his cousin William;
and as the latter had no idea of
tamely submitting to imposition,
alterations arose, which seriously
alarmed tue old gentleman, as he
was anxious TO foster a close and
enduring affection between them.


He attempted to make them
share everything in common, and
as the school they attended was
some distance from home, he gave
them u pony which one was 10
ride q certain part Of the way and
then fasten to tree for the Others
benefit. He soon found, however,
that when Maurice started first, it
was all ride, and no tie with him.


Thus it was in all things. The
selishness Of Maurice seemed to
grow with his growth, and as the
determination Of William was con-
stantly opposing it, they became
more and more estraaged from
each other. The grandfather could
not help approving many times Of
the conduct Of William while at
tho same time he was compelled
to gravely ccnsure Maurice. This
caused q fierce jealousy to take
possession Of the latter, which
planted the seeds Of a hatred which
afterwards sprung up and bore bit
ter fruit.


The cousins now sought COM
panions TO suit their different
tastes. Maurice would often be
seen on the wharf watching the
incoming or outgoing of some ship
o. else listening 70 some wonder,
tul sea yarn told by garrulous
sailor, till he thought it would be
fine thing to run away and push
his own fortune, with no cousin ii
the way for Q stumbling block. Il
follows, of course, that one morn
ing be was missing.


No trace Of the misguided boy
was discovered up to the death o
the grandfather, who, Indignant
at the ungrateful behavior Of Mau
rice, left the whole Of his estate K
William. The will was opened il
this very room by the family at
torney. As be was proceeding t
read it, before the assem- bled friends
and youthful mourner, a footSteI
was heard IN the hall, the dooI
opened, and Maurice With sun
burnt face, and sailor clothing
STOOD before them. William start
ed forward to receive him; bu
with a cold gesture the other waved
him back, and motioned the law
yer to proceed. AS soon as tn
contents Of the will were known
a dark frown settled itself upol
the face of Maurice.


William noticed this, and step
ping TO his side. laid his hand OF
his shoulder, saying: "Cousin, d.
not think I would dcfraud you O
your rights. In our chiIdhoo'
we were taught to share alike
and thus it shall be now. 10
few days we can arrange every
thing TO our mutual satisfaction
We are children no longer; let Il
rot act as such. Will you not b
nv triend2" Maurice turned ba: