Thrice Lost, Thrice Won — page 112: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Miss De Montreuil Decides. EOF aa fire’ of your easel and paint brushes; take to my business, ~~ and- | foe He stopped short. His nephew had made an _ imperious gesture with his hand. “Twill never-give up my art! It is dearer to me s than any- _ thing else in the world—save one. J can never take to your | business. I would be, indeed, what you called me when I entered this room—a hypocrite—if I promised that. Let Robert Bartram take your wealth, if Robert Bartram be alive, but I will never give up my profession whilst my fingers can wield a brush!” The dogged resolution, characteristic of the race they _. sprung from, looked invincibly out of the defiant eyes of both. a “Be it so, then!” cried Mr. Wylder, setting his teeth. “You have chosen. The will that gives all to Robert Bar- tram is made; that will shall stand. For you, you lose every- . _ thing—your yearly allowance and all.” | Alwyn Bartram bowed, still with that fixed, resolute ‘face. “And if Robert never appears?” he asked, steadily. — “Tn that case,” said Mr. Wylder, coldly, “the wealth shall” not go out of the family. For the space of one year, rigorous | search and inquiry shall be made for the missing man. If, at the end of the year, he appears, all shall be his. All! . If _ he fails to appear, then, Alwyn Bartram, having no other liv- ne ing kin, it goes to you, undeserving as you are. I am not of ead, ‘the sort that found asylums and endow hospitals. But Rob- , ert Bartram will be found.” a “Have you any reason for thinking so? “None, except the old axiom that bad shillings always come back. And now, as Usee by the clock yonder it is time for my _ supper and composing draught, you will be good enough to _ ring the bell for the nurse, and leave me. Your old room is TR ip kaha How long do you mean to stay? Until all is over ?” Bs will stay until you are better or a Bess ad. I understand. Very well; but) remember, my will is bch No act of yours now—no waiting, no devotion—can “loa it. Robert Bartram takes precedence of you. I leave you nothing—nothing—not the price of a mourning ring.” “You are exceedingly candid. Still, I will stay.” . He rang the bell. The nurse appeared. . “Good-night, uncle!” he said, kindly, pausing an instant is \ by bi bedside on his way out. “I wish you a good night’s ‘reg But the sick man. mod away he head sullenly, and his : | nephew quitted the chamber and went straight to his own. _ So it was all over, and he knew the worst. He sat down Kae rik oye ay A ; in mis iret little note, ‘heed wie materials before bim, eee . cComicbooks:co