The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-05-30


until the solemn day Of the funeral.
The church bell doomed Its monoton.
GUS note, tolling off the age of the farmer !;
and the snow fell in thick soft flakes !;
and the sky was dull and gray and the
whole aspect ofthings sombrc and mourn.
full
Jabez Mays brother had come to the
funeral bringing his wife, thin, sour
Looking woman, with him; and Austin
puzzled himself more and more as he
noted the satisfaction which twinkted in
every line of their hard faces.
Nellie had at last been admitted to the
confidence of the lawyer and Salem and
her lover, now determined on solving the
mystery which lurked over the household,
drew her aside, and inquired what was
the matter.
"They have een-been--askino me
about the will, she replied, with burst
Of tears.
Austin's face heightened
"Wbat Of it ?" he questioned.
mot now ! she SAID; "oh, can think
or nothing but that they are taking nv
uncle away foreverp And just then her
aunt drew near, aud he had no chance to
question her further.
The truth, however, came out before the
day was over.
Uncle Jabezs was nowhere to be found
Sin that case" said Austin Clyde,anxi
ously, "who inherits the property? I
understood it would come to my affianccd
wife, Mis- Ellen May"
ut would" said the lawyer, "under the
will. l made one three years ago, in
which everything, with the exception of
one hundred pounds, was bequethed to
Farmer Mays beloved niece, Ellen. But
now, as the will is not forthcoming, the
property and money In the bank will re-
vert to he heir.at law"
"And that is" gasped Austin.
"Mr Josiah May, the eldest blother OF
the deceased" said the man of law.
"But if there was will 2" resumed Mr
Austion Clyde.
There was" cried Salem II witnessed
it, for one. But it is gone; we have hunt
ed for 1t high and low.
at is my opinion the deceased has des-
troyed it," observed the lawyer; "for.
though the whole place has undergone
rigorous search, it cannot be found"
"And therefore [ take possession" said
Josiah May, while his wife smiled Joyful
ly. But as for Nellie, she need not
worry herself about the future, as she
will soon be married. I bear her no i'll
will, though she did creep in between me
and my brother Jabez, dead and gone.
But, OF course, no one can expect me to
give up everything on the strength OF a
Jrst testament which is not forthcoming.
However, Nellie, you are welcome TO stay
here till your wedding takes place"
And as though he had done something
unspeakably generous, Josiah May sat
down, and looked benignly around him !;
and smiled in a friendly fashion at Austin
| Clyde, whose handsome face looked dark
as a thunder cloud.
| The Christmas had passed, and the New
Year had commenced; and Josiah Nav and
his wife still retained undisputed posses,
sion Of the old farm.
Salem still retained his post, and Nellie
was allowed to occupy her old room, only
being required to assist her aunt (who
daily grew sourer and more crabbed,) in
return for the shelter accorded her.
Jabez Mays room remained unoccupied,
for the new master and mistress of the
homestead could not muster courage to
sleep Ia the chamber where the dead man
had lain and Josiah had an uncomforta.
bic feeling when he entered it, and could
not dlvest himself of the idea that if he
invaded 1t, his brother would appear to
him, and reprove him for him for depriy-
ing his adopted child of the fortune lie
had intended to leave her
So 1t remained empty; and Mrs. May,
like thrifty housewife, had the bed dis
mantled, the chimney stopped up with a
whisp OF straw, then locked the door, and
took away the key.
Austin Clyde's visits BECAME fewer and
shorter; and he made no allusio1 to his
marriage; and Nellie dropped and faded,
until Salem's honest heart was wrung with
pity at the sight Of her pale face
eli speak TO Mr.. Clyde about it," he
d cldcd; and III know what he means
to do about her. If he thinks he is going
to play fast and loose with Nellie, he is
mistaken"
But there was 20 need for his interposi,
ton, for Nellie met him by the big barn
that evening, and told him that she had
parted forever with her loxer, and that
TIC had that day returned to London
sit was my fortune he cared for" she
said, with sigh. "And now that he is
gone, he has left me forever"
And looking down at the hand she had
laid on his arm, he saw that the opal ring
had vanished from her finger
Valentines Eve came round again at
last.
A stormy, clustering day, with the wind
blowing perfect hurricane, and rain fall.
ing IN binding showers. An evil day
Tor ,r Mrs. May Tor tbs strong gusts blew
GOWN half OF the chimney stack and the
heap tel with crash, right through the
roo[ OF Salem Bretherton's bed room, Eaa-