The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-08-24

ing Hall, leaned back In her velvet
cushioned armchair and applied
her vinaigrette to her nose. It was
more than she could comprehend
this unheard of conduct in her cous-
in and ward. The fashionable wo-
man of the world could have no IN
derstanding oft
at is incredible, Margaret! 1
Away thought you were a girl of
good sense"
THANK you, Cousin Eleanore, I
claim to be-"
"But you have no right to the
claim! Such an absurd thing! =
You viii not persist in doing it, will
you, dearr' coaxingly.
Margaret Vance lifted her hand
some head with an air of quiet
pride. Her cheeks glowed and her
black eyes shone with a calm and
steady light. There was determi-
nation, like iron, in the curve Of the
scarlet lips.
81 shall do it. It is my duty
Heaven helping me, I will never
shrink from that! And I should
be doubly a coward if I refuse to
walk in the path of justice now that
it lies so plainly and clearly before
me. Should I do otherwise than I
propose to do I should despise my
self foreverr'
GLOW foolish! How ridiculousl
The property is yours. No person
in the world would doubt that fact
for moment. Jobson Peck was of
sound sense and in full possession
of his faculties when he made the
viii which gives you everything of
which he died possessed"
"Granted. 1 do not dispute that.
But when the will was made he was
under the influence of an angry
passion, and no man can be perfect
ly sane when passion sways him
utterly. He had set his heart on
his. sons marriage vi h Miss Mar
shall-a l. dy Of wealth and social
position, and that son refused to
obey him, choosing rather to fol-
low the dictates of his own inclina-
tion. He married a poor eurate's
daughter; and from that day to the
day of his death his father never
saw his face. He disowned him
nay, more, he cursed him-cursed
him and his innocent children; and
when Robbie Peck died his own IA
ther turned from his door the mes
senger who came to bring the mel
ancholy tidings. You know how it
has been since. The widow of his
son has supported his two children
by her own industry and brought
them up rightly; a son and daught-
er, so 1 have been told, that any mo-
ther might be proud of The prop
erty of Jobson Peck belongs not to
me, but to those children"
"Margaret, you are over-consci-
entious. Mr.. Peck gave it to you
Of his own free will. You saved his
life and he loved you better than he
loved any other person"
'I was fortunate enough to rem
der him a service.
"a service? You speak lightly.
The dog would have killed him but
for your
"Cousin Eleanore, no credit is
due to me. Fido knew me and de
sisted from his attack on the help
less old man because I called to
him. There was no sacrifice on my
part. But for this Mr.. Peck felt
grateful and during the time that l
visited the Sunday School near his
home frequently went in to read
to him or tell him the news Of the
day. I never dreamed of being re-
warded for it. He was a hard,
stern old man, but enjoyed his so
ciety, and I have been happiest al
ways while doing right"
"And are YOU resolvedY'
"Yes, I am resolved, Cousin Ele-
anore."
A bitter smile wreathed the face
of the handsome, aristocratic Miss
Eleanore Hastings.
''Yery we'll Margaret, I hope you
will not repent your decision. I
have tried hard to do by you as I
should during the few months you
have been with me. You know that
I do not approve Of voluntary pow
erty. / was greatly opposed to
your mothers marriage with Rom
ney Braithe. Not that I have any
thing to bring against your fathers
character-but he was poor Well,
he is dead and so is Maryi I will
let them lest But / hoped 70 have
made their child understand what
was for her good. Ihave failed, 1t
seems. Ihope you know that you
can have no expectations from me"
.1fargarets face hushed-a seorH
r,l blaze in her magniRceat eyes.