, a pension from Government in acknowledgment of her
husband's services, would cease at her death. There was a momentary
failure in her voice as she said this, and her eyes turned with the
instinct of love towards Blanche.

At her desire, Mr. Wallingford attended them to Boston, and remained
away for three or four days. He then returned to S----, bringing with
him kind words from the absent ones. The old routine of life went on
again, each of us taking up the daily duty; yet I think there was not
one of the favored few who had known Mrs. Montgomery and her daughter
intimately, that was not stronger to do right in every trial for the
memory of these true-hearted strangers--no, friends!

CHAPTER XVII.

It was in October when Mrs. Montgomery, after a residence of three years
in the Allen House, went from among us. Old "Aunty," and another
colored servant who had lived with Mrs. Allen, remained in charge of the
mansion. There was, of course, no removal of furniture, as that belonged
to the estate. Mrs. Montgomery had brought with her three servants from
England, a coachman, footman, and maid. The footman was sent back after
he had been a year in the country; but the coachman and maid still lived
with her, and accompanied her to Boston.

The large schemes of men ambitious for gain, will not suffer them to
linger by the way. Ralph Dewey had set his mind on getting possession,
jointly with others, of the valuable Allen property; and as the Court
had granted a decree of sale, he urged upon his father-in-law and uncle
an early day for its consummation. They were in heart, honorable men,
but they had embarked in grand enterprises with at least one dishonest
compeer, and were carried forward by an impulse which they had not the
courage or force of character to resist. They thought that spring would
be the best time to offer the property for sale; but Dewey urged the
fall as more consonant with their views, and so the sale was fixed for
the first day of November. Notice was given in the country papers,
and Dewey engaged to see that the proposed sale was duly advertised in
Boston and New York. He managed, however, to omit that part of his duty.

On the day of sale, quite a company of curious people assembled at the
Allen House, but when the property was offered, only a single bid was
offered. That came from Dewey, as the representative of Floyd, Lawson,
Lee & Co., and it was awarded to them for the sum of thirty-five
th