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

like that Elliotson ; and as you and I are likely to be so much together , I should think you coidd easil y get him another berth . " As the young man uttered this half-expressed wish , there was au uneasiness about Ms manner which indicated there was something like a feeling of shame struggling with the selfishness which prompted Ihe intimation he had just given .

"His legal term with me , " replied Mr . Grainger , " will shortly expire , and then we shall seperate—if that is what you mean . " "Oh just as you like , " said Mr . Baker , ' impatiently , "I dare say you understand me . Now then , let ' s to business , where ' s the will ?" "It is very brief ; " replied Mr . Grainger , looking over a bundle of documents which he took up— " because , as you are aware , the property of h entailed

Bendersleigbeing , goes to the heir ; and as you stand in that relation to your late father , the entire property devolves upon you with the exception of a few legacies which the will contains—and I should add , that your father lias thought fit to appoint me sole executor . " " very good , if that ' s all the will contains yon may shut it up . I don't want to see it . Have you got the catalogue of the securities and deeds that you promised me ?"

" I have , " replied Mr . Grainger ; " shall I read it r " " Let ' s have it ; " replied Mr . Baker , by way of request that Mr . Grainger should proceed . The conveyancer accordingly read the catalogue of the varied deeds and securities relating to the Bendersleigh estates and property , until he came to one scheduled as " Mrs . Marshall ' s mortgage . "

"Mrs . Marshall ' s mortgage , Grainger l—wlia ? mortgage is that ?" eageiiy exclaimed Mr . Baker , " not our friends over the water , is it ?" There was a- peering eagerness about the inquiry , as Mr . Baker bent his * ace oyer the desk towards Mr . Grainger , which attracted that gentleman ' s attention forcibly . There was an expression in the young man ' s countenanceas he asked the question—of cunningconceit

, , , apprehension , delight , and fawning , which blended strangely and harsMv together , and Mr . Grainger marked the expression as he replied , " It is Mrs . Marshall ' s mortgage ; and the money which it is intended to secure was advanced upon my recommendation , by your father , years ago . Iii years long—long gone by , your father and Mrs . Marshall were old

menus , in iact , m childhood theycommenced their friendship , which , however , was early severed . In those days , before your father left Ms native country for the East , Mrs . Marshall was the wife of a great merchant in this town—then a rising port . He stood hi gh among the foreign traders of the place , and was much respected . In the prime however of his lifein the heiht of his businesshe was cut off from amongst leaving his

g , us , wife and an infant family , with but a slender competency . The house of onsiness flourished , and to this day has been advancing , and now stands perhaps the greatest amongst us . Mrs . Marshall , however , is as she was left , with the exception , that the burden of this , your mortgage , is upon n . ? i income . "