Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-08-26
Mis CELLAME GUS.
TIE SEALED WILL.

stASN " you suppose, mamma, In case the
money goes from me, that it will be
given to you?"
"Dear child, how can ever guess Yonr
mine; SO it is scarcely likely she has thought
of me. I am afraid tho heir in the sealed
will is John Garland"
"Mamma !"
at is only guess>work, dear"
"I5ut he is SO unfit to have tho responsi-
bility yof money; man known to be gambler
ard drinking man, if not an actual drunk>
ard"
every true. Yet ho is the ncares. relative
your aunt jessie had, excepting only your-
SELF"
II can scarcely think Aunt Jessie would
leave him fifty thousand dollars
'My dear, she has left it to you, her niece
and namesakc."
'But upon the condition that shall never
marry. IF do, the sealed will in the hands
of her lawyer is to be opened, and the money
pass from me to the heir or heirs named there
in. lou must know me we'll enough to be
sure that the money would never semut me to
break my engagement; yet for your sake
wish-Oh, why did Aunt Jessie leave it to
me at ALL"
DO no. think of me. can live as We
have done since father died. But, Jessie"
and Mrs. Markham's face looked grave and
sad, "thcrc is one view of the matter YOU do
not take
Il dare say there are fifty. Remember we
have now had only an hour or two to think,
since tho letter came from the lawyer But
what is the view you mean Z"
'.Charlie -
"Charlic 2"
Jessie's largo brown eyes were opened to
their widest extent as she repeated the name,
adding:
why, haven't thought Of anything but
Charlie ~
''But-I mean-dear ~ said the mother,
shrinking from uttering her own thoue hts
You know, dear, you haveralways been con-
sidered your aunt's heiress and Charlie is
young, and only commencing the practice of
his profession. 1t may be that he will"
'Be false to me for the sake. of money 2"
interrupted Jessie, with the rosiest of cheeks
aud brightest of eyes. ''We will soon test
that" and she drew writing table to her
side II will send him copy of the lawyers
letter, and"-here her voice end eyes softened
make no difference to NO."
Mrs. Markham made no objection to this
step, but after the letter was signed, sealed
and dispatched to tho village by Polly, the
only servant of Mrs. Markham's household,
she called Jessie again to her side.
Over The fair sweet face of tho Young girl
there had crept shade of gravity and per.
piexity since the arrival of the lawyers letter.
that clouded the brown eyes and gave the
sensitive, mobile mouth q frmer pressure than
was quite natural. Life had not been all
sunshine for Jessie Markham, yet hers was
one of those buoyant natures that find the
silver lining for every cloud. and coax some
sweetness from every bitter Dose Her father
had been dead six years, and his business af-
fairs having been complicated in come way not
comprehensive TO feminine intellects. his
widow and child found themselves reduced to
an income that barely covered the necessaries
of life. They left the city, aud took small
cottage in the small village of Merton, where
Mrs. Markham soon procured class of music
scholars, and herself gave Jessie lessons in
the higher branches of English studies. Ger
man, French and music, till, at eighteen. her
daughter also procured few pupils in lan-
guages. They were very happyin their mutual
affection, in the love of their pupils, and the
cares of their little household
It had been understood from the time Jessie
tiny baby that she would inherit the
fortune of her maiden aunt, for whom she
was named, and who came from the city every
summer to spend month or two in the little
cottage, always bringing pretty presents to
brighten the home of her brothers. widow.
and lavishing teuderest affection upon her
neice.
Yet, though Jessie herself had known of
her aunt's supposed intentions, neither she
nor her mother had ever made calculations
upon fortune dependent upon the death of
the one for whom they felt the wsrmes. affec>
ton, and the idea that others could be in
iuenced by it was new thought to the young
girl.
She had given to her betrothed, Charlie
seaton, the first love of her young heart, be-
lieving his love was all her own In the six
years she had lived at Merton, child and
maiden, Charlie Seaton had been her devoted
admirer from the first, and had recently fn-
ished his course of law study and been ad-
mitted to tha bar. His fortune, inherited
from his father, was very small, barely cover
ing his expenditure for board and clothing
but he was energetic, Industrious, and with
out brilliant talent, clear>headed. intelligent
student. -tromisinfr tn r,ata /, n.5,1,Io I.,r5.--