Washington telegraph., 1845-02-05
IsM1~&
THE LAST WILL.
BY MRS MARY '. SPENCER.

whistled around the corners, or shrieked
among the chirnneys; the street lamps fared
dim. and even the watchman deserted his
post and shranl into sheltered corner.
In an old. ricketty tenement, in one OF the
narrowest lanes of London, sat a young
couple with their only child. The mother
was still young, scarcely eighteen, indeed,
but of unusual beauty; though sorrow had
lately began to make inroads on that iine
countenance. Her husband was some
wears older, with face of much character,
though not of decided beauty; but the lines
around the mouth, and the care-worn ex-
preston of the brow, showed that he had
already warred with misfortune. In the
contrast to his face was the placid express
sious of the child's counlenance. as itiay on
its mothers lap, with the light of the lamp
falling shaded across it. A smile was on
;ts face as II slept. Il seemed as If an angel
looked cut fromit.
Suddenly kaock was heard at the door,
The man gazed around on the bare and des-
olate apartment, and did not stir. The vile
seemed to read his thoughts.
$50, dear James," said she- "W hat
matters our poor accommodations And
she tried to smile. perhaps it is bearer
of good news; surely no one else would
come on such night as this. How the
wind drives against the panes!'
The husband advanced to the door, and
opening it, a man in livery delivered him a
note. At sight of the green and gold of the
mans dress, he started back, but the servant
leaving the missive in his hand, was gone
instantly.
"It's from my fathers steward" said the
husband, with an excited voice, as he broke
the seal.
"God be praisedi'' said the wife; "he has
relented. / knew he would. OH we
shall yet see happy days" and she burst
into tears. Her husbands agitation was
scarcely less than her own, for his hand
trembled violently as he held the note to
the lamp.
His wife eagerly pursued his countenance
and she seemed to gather hope as he read.
At length he looked up.
III must 90, dearest" were his words;
"my father is not expected to live over the
nipbt. He relents, for he has sent for me.
God bless you, Mary, and our child" and a
large tear rolled heavily down his cheek.
II thank thee, Heavenly Father" SAID
the wife, clasping her hands and lifting her
swimming eyes on high, .'my prayers have
been heard. OH my sweet babe, thou shalt
no longer want" and she clasped the sleep
ing cherub in convulsive joy to her boscEi.
The husband dashed the tears hastily
from MS eyes, kissed the mother and her
child fervently, and snatching up his hat and
CLOAK. and was rushing from the door.
II will sit up for you, love-" said the wife.
The husband gave her look of unutter-
able fondness, aud stepped out into the storm.
II was raining fercely, and, at intervals,
the thunder shook the sky, an unusual oc-
cnrrence at that season of the year. While
h., is making his way on foot, against the
dr;vinr tempe St to his fathers princely man
sion. let US hurry over the events which had
reduced him and a lovely wife to penury.
Sir James Hengist was descended from
ona oftbe most ancient families of England.
which had been great while the Normans
were still landless, and many Of which still
remain among the gentry of Cheshire and
I.;ncolnshire. looking down with contempt
on the new nobility. In the course of gen.
erations, however, the family had become
moor. and Sir James, to rebuild its fortunes
had married lady of great wealth in the
city. Lady Hengist was as good as she
was rich, and won all hearts in her exalted
station. She lived to see her only son at
tain the age of twenty, and then died re-
qretted by all, and none seemingly more
than her husband.
Lady Hengist had niece, the daughter
of a .avorite step brother, whom she had
educated from child, and whose union with
her son had been a favorite project. She
had long secretly entertained this idea, and
what then was her qualification when she
beheld a passion growing up for each other
in the young peoples bosoml Her niece
was. at this time, but fifteen, yet already
riuening into womanhood. and one of the
most beautiful and accomplished of her sex.
Sir James appeared to enter into his wiie's
nlans. and no obstacle was placed in the
way of the lovers, and SO that for nearly 4
wear their lives passed away in that bright
ness of all dreams, first love sanctioned
by friends.
But Lady Hengist had been scarcely
three months in her grave before a marked
change came over Sir James in his demeanor
TO his son. He was continually reproving
the Young man, who could no longer do any
thing to please him, and, being high spirited
youth. the heir was at length driven from the
paternal roof, by his constant annoyance.
Toward the lovely Mary Crawford. however
the conduct of Sir James had been uiI-
changed, even when she ventured to expos
tulate with him, as she sometimes did, IN
behalf of his son. There were those, IN
deed, who said she had interested motives
in this, and the truth of their suspicious be-
came apparent after the son had sought
home elsewhere. Mary was now sixteen,