“You can perhaps imagine something of my feelings upon learning the contents of this will. I had always expected to inherit a share of my uncle’s property, for I was a favorite with him, and he had hinted that I was to be his heir; but I had never dreamed of being hampered with any such arbitrary conditions. I was very indignant. So was my cousin, for, although we had always been the best of friends, we felt that this was a matter in which we should have been left free to choose for ourselves. However, the property was divided between us, and we found ourselves independent. I was an orphan, and had been entirely dependent on my uncle; I had just completed my education, and was thinking of establishing myself in some business, when I suddenly awoke to the fact that I was rich and could live as I chose, provided, at the expiration of eight years, I would marry the woman my uncle had chosen for me. But I loved Annie Dale, and I knew I could not marry any one else while my heart belonged so entirely to her. I became so wretched and unhappy over my situation, while at the same time I could not make up my mind to part with my newly acquired fortune, that I could not come here to Vue de l’Eau to live, where I should have to meet her constantly: so I had the house closed and started off on a trip through the West. “During my wanderings I went to New Mexico, where I heard the most wonderful stories regarding the wealth of the Morena Mines. A bright idea suddenly came to me. I would invest in them—I would throw myself in the business of mining during the next few years; if what I had heard was true I could easily double, perhaps treble, what money I put into them before I should have to give up my fortune according to the conditions of my uncle’s will—the money thus earned would be legitimately mine. I could then make over to my cousin my share of Jabez Mapleson’s fortune, and be in a comfortable situation to marry the girl I loved. “Inspired with enthusiasm over this idea, I bought largely in the Morena Mines, and then bent all my energies toward the one object of my life. The first three years I was very successful, and if my luck continued, I knew that by the end of another three I might snap my fingers over Jabez Mapleson’s will, and secure the wife of my choice. But just at this time a terrible temptation presented itself to me.