"

A man took the horses, and we all followed her into the splendid
hall, while I was filled with wonder and a mighty longing for the
old home.

XX

It was a fine house--that in which I spent many happy years back in
my young manhood. Not, indeed, so elegant and so large as this
where I am now writing, but comfortable. To me, then, it had an
atmosphere of romance and some look of grandeur. Well, in those
days I had neither a sated eye, nor gout, nor judgment of good
wine. It was I who gave it the name of Fairacres that day when,
coming out of the war, we felt its peace and comfort for the first
time, and, dumfounded with surprise, heard my mother tell the story
of it.

"My grandfather," said she, "was the Chevalier Ramon Ducet de
Trouville, a brave and gallant man who, for no good reason,
disinherited my father. The property went to my uncle, the only
other child of the chevalier, and he, as I have told you, wrote
many kind letters to me, and sent each year a small gift of money.
Well, he died before the war,--it was in March,--and, having no
children, left half his fortune to me. You, Ramon, will remember
that long before you went away to the war a stranger came to see me
one day--a stout man, with white hair and dark eyes. Do you not
remember? Well, I did not tell you then, because I was unable to
believe, that he came to bring the good news. But he came again
after you left us, and brought me money--a draft on account. For
us it was a very large sum, indeed. You know we have always been
so poor, and we knew that when the war was over there would be more
and a-plenty coming. So, what were we to do? 'We will build a
home,' said I; 'we will enjoy life as much as possible. We will
surprise Ramon. When he returns from the war he shall see it, and
be very happy.' The architect came with the builders, and, voila!
the house is ready, and you are here, and after so long it is
better than a fortune to see you. I thought you would never come."

She covered her face a moment, while my father rose abruptly and
left the room. I kissed the dear hands that long since had given
to heavy toil their beauty and shapeliness.

But enough of this, for, after all, it is neither here nor there.
Quick and unexpected fortune came to many a pioneer, as it came to
my mother, by inheritance, as one may see if he look only at the
records of one court of claims--that of the British.

"Before long you may wish to