fact proved the gratitude of her disposition, and that was the
praises which were continually lavished upon the gentleman over
whose mansion she presided. In this poor woman's estimation, Mr.
Townsend was a model man. It had been her valued privilege to visit
him occasionally during the lifetime of the second Mrs. T., and
nothing from her description could have been more beautiful than
his devotion to the lady during her long and lingering illness.
Besides, he had taken her son to his home and heart, and had given
every one to understand that this young Addison Brayton was to be
the future possessor of that vast wealth. To come to the point at
once, Mrs. P. Crandall Crane 'sighted them,' and mentally
appropriated the young gentleman for her own Lucinda. To that end,
she schemed and labored, and, just as the darling prospect seemed
about to be brought to a final consummation, fate, in the person of
her friend Cynthia, interfered to put a stop to the proceedings by
marrying the young gentleman herself! Words are inadequate to
describe the scene that followed upon this denouement. Mrs. Crane
was in absolute despair for a time, until a new idea entered her
fertile brain. Mr. Townsend, in the first paroxysm of rage, had
disowned the recreant youth, and turned him from his doors without
a farthing of the wealth that was to have been his princely
inheritance. That much abused gentleman had no nearer relations
than the far-removed cousin before referred to, and consequently
here was a magnificent fortune, with only the encumbrance of a
fine-looking, well-preserved gentleman, actually going a begging.
The thing was not to be thought of for a moment.

"'Many a heart is caught in the rebound.' 'It would be a pretty
piece of revenge!' soliloquized Mrs. Crane, complacently, 'if
Lucinda should yet reign mistress of that mansion, for all Mr.
Addison Brayton. How it _would_ spite Cynthia!' With renewed
energy, but this time more cautiously, the sagacious lady laid her
trap for the unwary footsteps of the unconscious Townsend. He was a
frequent visitor at the house, feeling always sure of a warm
welcome from the urbane hostess. The plan worked admirably, and at
last the gentleman called to solicit a private interview with the
contractor.

"'Mr. Crane is