The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-07-02

was just this: learned to lore him fol
himself alone; he loved ne; we wert
betrothed; and / could not give him uE
for a thousand fortunes.
think there was no person in tht
world that Aunt Hampton respected
more, but he failed in one point-he was
poor. That she had faith. in his skill
was proved by his being her regular fam
lily physician. Moreover, she believed
in his honor ;everythng that she trusted
to the ear of her attorney, she trusted
to DIR. Manchester, even the making OF
her will.
1t was the day Aunt Hampton told
the doctor of the condition in her will
that he told her the story of his love. /
of course, was Immediately summoned.
Before | entered Aunt Hampton's pres.
ence knew why she had sent for me
My heart beat fearfully as opened the
door. DR.. Manchester came forward
with the grace of true gentleman, and
the moment he took my hand all fear OF
Aunt Hampton left me.
| have never seen the strong woman
SO agitated, Her face was pale to ghast
illness, and her limbs shook as with ague
ooh, Estelle,'' she said, show could
you disappoint me so? You cannot Ie,
pay me for years of love and care by
such underhanded gratitude. Tell me
it is not so. p. Let me not believe that you
two, whom I have SO implicitly trusted,
have undone in one hour my work OF
years !" 49,. -.. --,
"Dear Aunt Hampton" 1 prayed, edo
not say I,am ,ungraieful to you; you, of
all others; you, to whom l owe so
much" ..,..t .-.-s ,... ... ...
"If not for my sake, Estelle, remem.
Der your kindred" ,es
Aunt Hampton knew the tenderest
spot in my tender heart
"Estelle," said a calm voice., .here is
a test Of your love that shall last me a
lifetime. On the one hand you have Jas
per Hampton with fortune of thirty
thousand pounds; on the other hand,
Edward Manchester with only name
and profession. Which shall it be ?"
l preferred to marry soul with pov
erty to a fool with wealth, and ventur-
ed to say so.
Jasper Hampton was brainiess
scoundrel; he would have married his
grandaunt for the sake of her fortune,
and she was fifty years old when he was
born. I detested him; and as for the
fortune,it was no sacrifice for me to give
it up for my own sake; but reader, for
give me, that was the foundation of my
castle in the air.
Aunt Hampton declared that she
would send for her attorney that very
night and make new will in favor of
her nephew Jasper. ''
Dr. Manchester mentioned that he
was going in that direction, and would
send him over, and think he never car
ried a message more willingly 1
And when another morning had dawn
ed,I could sing with the old dame of the
ballad: n. .a
yesterday was the Lady of Linn; Er
And now Tn but John O the Scales wife,
But sweet voice came over the hills,
saying: "Better so, my child; thou,
sand times better so, than to bring your
household goods under an unworthy
root-tree." ao
Three months later j Lad applied for
and obtained situation in the Acade-
my. is
One morning I had been walking with
Aunt Hampton-there existed the dead
liest feelings between us-when on reach
ing the house she: sank into the nearest
chair, exclaiminge sa a.' rr: s'f
"Estelle, have strange feelings late
ly; strange thoughts, too. / have made
money my God, but it is always turning
to dead leaves in my hands; always
cheating me. Come here, dear. ,"
l knelt beside her. -
"Estelle, do you love your old aunt
as we'll as you did six months ago ?"
"Better, dear aunt; because there is d
perfect understanding between us now
l used TO hope yon would see that !
could never love Jasper Compare him
with Edward Manchester, and see the
contrast" Hf
IL don't like bim myself, Estelle."
Then, as though talking to herself, she
added: ''Why should | crown my life
with deed so ungenerous 1 will not.
I'll make third will, and Esteile and
my nephew shall fare alike g,as-
There was stirring of the drapcry of
the low French window; shadow crept
along the wall. | turned again to speak
to Aunt Hampton, but merciful heaven
her head had dropped upon her breast
her limbs were rigid and her eyes set;
the woman to all appearance was dead.
As soon as / could move hand or foot
rang for help. We placed the still form
upon the bed, and sent in all haste fol
her physician He came, and pronounc
ed the case apoplexy, caused by over ex
element.
DR.. Manchester passed every spare
moment with us,trying in turn to relieve
the stricken in body and the troubled il
mind, for | balieved myself to be the
cause of the over-e&citement, and ever
his gentle reasonings could not convince
me to the contrary.
Thus three days and nights PASSED
away, and still no change Anothel
physician had been calied,bu to no pur
pose. ''i'
1 watched and prayed in fear and trem
bling through the fearful storm ;watchel
for the hand to move,the eye to unclose
prayed tor one word, one look, one sigl
even, but still no change,
q The storm rageo on till midnight, the,
the wind died away, the thunder ceased
the clouds separated, the moon shon
forth, and my heart grew tighter.
thought Of letter had left unfinished
| would bring it thither and finish it,
stepped across the hall into my ow
room. How thoroughly tired was. n
sat dawn just for moment in my cas-
chair. Nature would have her way; sh
closed my eyes, and l forgot care an
sorrow. '.
Merciful Heaven! What cry
sprang to my feet in terror and horror
the cry repeated; woman's voice fu
n