The Heir Of Bendersleigh; Or, The Freemason's Promise.

all the must y ^ deeds that lay treasured up in the tin boxes , relating to the Bendcrslci gh Estates , and the preparation of those abstracts he had taicen upon himself . It was curious to sec him , having just prepared the draft of an abstract of" a deed , how he read it carefully over late at night , when all was quiet , with as much attention , and more interest than if it had been a rare literary production , on which great powers of

genius had been brought to bear . And then , having carefully read the rough draft , how he transcribed it all himself upon the sheets of paper used for the purpose ; aud having completed his task , how he handled it as if it were an infant , or a great treasure , which too roughly inspected might be impaired in value . It was , indeed , a proud day for old Gabrielwhen having leted his great taskhe looked tho

, comp , upon product of his labors as they were piled up before him , ready to be transmitted to Benderslei gh House . No Merchant could look upon a freight about to be embarked for a distant port , with more anxiety than did old Gabriel Hunter , upon the thick piles of thickly written paper which lay before him on the morning of which we speak . He stood

with his hands behind his coat , and with his spectacles on his nose , and gazed at them with growing satisfaction , and as he did so , he fell into Ms old custom of musing and of communing with himself . He did not , however , muse long , for the tinkling sound of a little bell , which was just perceptible inside Mr . Grainger ' s office , summoned him to that gentleman ' s presence

. "Well , Hunter , you will be ready with all the documents for to morrow , will you ? " enquired Mr . Grainger , reading over some labelled letters , and without looking up as he spoke . " Everything , Mr . Grainger , is prepared ; " replied Gabriel , rubbing his hands with evident satisfaction .

I ' Have you had the Settlement fair copied ? " enquired Mr . Grainger . "I have , Sir , and it is lying on the top of the Abstracts now , Sir , " replied Gabriel . "Ah ! the abstracts ! " said Mr . Grainger , "I think you have taken more trouble with them , than they were worth . " " Trouble , Sh- ! " exclaimed Gabriel , in a tone which seemed to imply that he was heing joked with . "Trouble , Sir , in such a matter ought not to be considered , Sir . It is an old , but true adage with us , Sir'Safe bind , safe find . '"

"You have the heart of a conveyancer , " replied Mr . Grainger , smiling , " but if you succeed in getting Augustus llaker to go through those abstracts with you , you will exhibit more powers of persuasion than I give you credit for . By the bye , I suppose you know that he is coming here this morning , don't you ? " enquired Mr . Grainger . "I hope he is , Sir , " replied Gabriel .

" He is coming to arrange about to-morrow , " continued Mr . Grainger , " and we shall—" He was here interrupted by the entrance of Henrv Elliot-son , who advanced to his usual place , and silently took his seat . Mr . Grainger motioned Gabriel Hunter to withdraw , and the old clerk immediatel y left the room .