The Heir Of Bendersleigh;

" One moment , Sir , said Henry Elliotson , " the events of the last few minutes are indeed enough to bewilder me . Ton have , since I entered this room , presented me with three precious gifts , which I knew not until this hour that I should ever possess . A bride—look up Harriet , confidently now—a brother , and a fortune . " " That you will be worthy of all and each , I know full well , for I have

watched you anxiously from youth upwards , and I have looked forward to this day with great hope , " said Mr . Grainger . " My first duty is to my brother , " said Henry Elliotson . " Brother , " he said , advancing to Mr . Augustus Eaker , " will you take my hand ? Crest-fallen as he was—prostrated by the humiliation which he was suffering , the old spirit of . the young man flamed up for an instantand

, he darted a scowl of hatred at his new found brother , which pained all who beheld it ; and we do believe that none present felt more pain than the "fast" friend of the fallen Augustus Eaker . That gentleman interposed and said , " come , Eaker , be a brick , and give him your hand as you ought to do ; I would . " " Think not that we can be enemies" said Henry Elliotsonfor we

, , must still so designate him , and placing his hand upon his brother ' s shoulder , " though I am the Heir of Bendersleigh , to your deprivation , take my hand as a brother should , for rest assured that no act of mine shall ever make you feel the loss which you have sustained . Give me your hand . "

Still Augustus Eaker hesitated , but at length he extended his hand , and his brother grasped it fervently . " Mr . Grainger told to me once , " exclaimed Henry Elliotson , " that all was for the best . I doubted then , but I feel it now ; let me then , now address you in the same words , my brother , —nay , let me alter the form of those words , aud say , all shall be for the best . Bendersleigh Hall shall

still be your home as long as you wish it to be so . " "And take my hand " , said Mr . Grainger , advancing to Mr . Augustus Eaker , " and let us if we can , forget the past ; I told you once that you might have a bitter lesson to learn , and you have now accomplished it . Let me now give you a few more words of advice . To the past you may look for a guidance for the future , and as you scan the past , let it teach you

to subdue those evil passions which indulged in , in the present , but too frequently leads to degradation and disaster in the future . There is my hand , I am glad you take it ; but here is another that you must grasp , that of one whom you would have wronged , and whose life you woidd have embittered ; take that hand—the hand of a sister now , and thank me that I have saved you the crime of . wantonly blasting a young heart ' s hope . " Mr . Augustus Eaker was subdued—his bearing was changed , and grasping the hand of Harriet Marshall , who now came forward , he rushed out of the room .

Our tale is ended . The marriage settlements were speedily executed , and they were merry marriage bells indeed , which announced the conipleton of the nuptials of the Heir of Bendersleigh .