The Mystery of Monastery Farm

ll-kept lawn and garden. A young man was seen carrying a rake on his shoulder and with the other hand d

square jaw and firm mouth denoted will power, his face was ruddy, and his head was crowned with an abundance of curling hair as white as snow. This was Abram McLain, the retired member of the firm of McLain, Shaw & Co., the originators and organizers of the first steamboat line running between Liverpool and Montreal. From this

tters were attached. The ground on which this building stood had been bought immediately after the conflagration of 1852, when Saint Mary's Ward was almost obliterated. From that date each year had increased the value of all property in this part

, was a beautiful office, finished in hardwood, exquisitely polished, and furnished with most modern furniture. In the rear of this office was a smaller room, the walls of which were incased with steel plates, supposed to be both burglar-proof and fire-proof. This room contained a safe having no opening except the door into the office. It would never have been taken for anythi

ontreal National Bank-which a few months later was consumed in the conflagration. This unfortunate event with subsequent obligations, left him both poor and in debt, from which he never recovered, but in two years died, leaving his wife dependent upon their only son. Some years later, when Abram was accumulating money rapidly, he bought stock in gas and water works, and in both instances they collapsed, and the stockholders were left by a dishonest set of officers to meet delinquent obligations. This experience of both father and son not on

er. Ernest Case, the acting landlord, took great pleasure in introducing him to customers, and especially if th

had much in common to interest them, and were conversing interestedly, when Mr. Case, accompanied by an imposing-looking stranger,

I am nephew to the Duke of Devon, and"-hesitatingly-"possibly the next heir to the title. At present I am a major in Her Majesty's Twenty-first Cavalry. I

so," said

eady the best schools, the best churches, the best hotels and shipping wharves

proposition, as it accords with my own observation; but my opportunities of looking about as yet have been limi

d out three times, but each fire has e

an eye open for investments. It is quite different with us. Capital i

lean shaven, and he had full lips and large, white teeth. He looked to be possibly twenty-five years of age, and would have been called good-lo

landowners ought to sell Major Bancroft something in the way of real estate. He has plenty of

some city stock, if he will gi

wants something

n, "I don't want anyt

something that will grow while he is fighting the B

rity to sell him the Majestic, if you can

se, "but I'm not anxiou

I will sell anything I have, except my

ce for the Majestic?" la

suppose forty thousan

turned away, "I guess I'll n

on to it, stating that while awaiting his coming to breakfast she had noticed that the Albermarle was about to be

ping his coffee, and he took u

s that the Albermarle is to change owners. An English nobleman who is looking for profitable investments is said to be the prospective purchase

Mr. McLain received a

emarked the major, as he lighted

" adding in a sort of casual way, "I see by this morning's paper that you th

ce that they sometimes get ahead of the hounds. I'm glad you mentioned the

"it would not be right

ame kind of

n, would be a fair selling price for the Majestic

s it today for sale; consequently, I should ask its full value, if I mentioned any

for thirty-five th

suddenly replied: "No, sir, but I would sell

apers, and on one week from today I will pay you

Montreal National Bank one week from today

aid the Major,