herefore, feel quite safe in making such business
arrangements in connection with it as your discretion may suggest.
"Very sincerely yours,
"STEPHEN FABIAN."
"Of course," said the lawyer, looking hurt, "it must be a most delicate
case where such secrecy is observed. But one cannot control his
suspicions."
Just then Mr. Jerrold came in. He looked so little like a man that was
going to lose the bulk of a princely fortune, that Mr. Fielding was
amazed--so amazed, that he could not imagine the cause of Mr. Jerrold's
laughter, who, although highly diverted at the grave lawyer's blackened
visage, endeavored in the most polite manner to suppress it.
"He doesn't know the will is found," thought Mr. Fielding.
"I have called, Mr. Fielding, to say that I am ready to give an account
of the stewardship of Mr. Stillinghast's property, which I have managed
for the last nine months. My wife and myself are perfectly satisfied
that the will now in your hand is genuine, and are too happy to see
every thing restored to its equilibrium, to wish an hour's delay in
resigning all right and title to every thing except what is legally and
honestly ours."
"Give me your hand, Mr. Jerrold. I honor your sentiments, and the
prompt and honorable manner with which you meet this emergency," said
honest Mr. Fielding. "Take May home, and comfort her between you all,
for the poor child is breaking her heart because she is rich."
And so it was settled. After receiving with true humility the
Sacraments of the Church, Helen, so altered and changed in all her
views of life and eternity, accompanied her husband to Europe. They
spent the winter in Rome, where, among other converts, who made their
abjuration of error and first communion at the "_Gesu_," was an
American gentleman named Jerrold. We may easily imagine who this
Jerrold was.
As to May, with the advice of Father Fabian and Mr. Fielding to aid her
in the distribution of her wealth, she became gradually reconciled to
the idea of being rich, because it afforded her an unfailing source of
happiness in the reflection that she could now, in an extended view,
become the benefactor of her kind. And from that day to this she has
been the busiest--the most untiring--the most loving friend of the poor
and afflicted. Decorating the sanctuary--visiting the widow and
orphan--relieving distresses, not only by alms, but by words of
cheer--raising up the fallen, and soothing the broken-h
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