The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-10-06

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Jessie was tiny baby that she would
inherit the fortune Of her maiden aunt,
for whom she was named, and who
came from tho city every summer to
spend q month or two in the little cot
tage, always bringing pretty presents
tu brighton the home OF her brothers
widow, and layishing the tenderest af-
iection upon her neice. ~ "
Yet, though Jessie herself had known
Of her aunt's supposed intentions,
neither she nor. her mother had ever
made calculations on . fortune depend
ent upon the death of one whom they
felt the warmest affection, md the idea
that others would be influenced by it
was a new thought to the young girl.
She had given to her betrothed,
Charles Seaton, the FIRST love of her
young heart, believing Ills love was all
her own. In the six years she had
lived in Merton, child and maiden,
Charlie Scaton had been her devoted
admirer from the first, and had recent
ly finished his course OF law study, and
been admitted to tho bar. His fortune,
inherited from Ills father, was very
small, barely covering his expenditure
for board and clothing but he was
energetic, industrious, and, without
brilliant talent, clear.headed, intelli-
gent student, promising TO make capa-
Bic lawyer, II not q shining Light at
the bar.
Answering her mothers call, Jessie
nestled down in her rfayorite seat at her
feOt saying, sadly: .,t
"If Charlie was influenced by any
hope OF Aunt Jessie's money, mamma,
it Is better to know II now. / had sup
posed we would have to wait for our
wedding day until hehad some practice,
and You know I have q little sum OF my
own toward first expenses. We could
live here, and-There, Twill not think
OF it any more until the answer comes
to my letter."
"While you wait, dear" said her mo-
ther, "shall I tell you what I think is
the explanation Of your aunts singular
will? You, who know her only as the
gentle, sad woman OF her later years,
eau scarcely imagine, I presume, that
she was once rs bright, hopeful, and
sunny.tempered as yourself. I think
| IL is 10 save you, from her own sorrow
that she has taken from you the power
OF giving wealth to q mere fortune
hunter. She would have you wooed
and won for yourself alone; and Us she
has never positively said you were to
be her heiress, she has probably never
supposed Charlie biased by that hope.
Still, dear, it is possible"
eyes, il is possible" said Jessie,
slowly; "but tell me about Aunt Jes.
sio. !"
Your grandfather Markham, Jessie,
was one Of the leading merchants OF
New York, when your aunt, his only
daughter, was introduced into society.
Your uncle Hoyt was in good practice
us physician, your father doing then
n fair business, and already married
and in his own home. '-l
II was therefore with the name OF m
heiress that Jessie danced through her
first season, q careless, light-hearted
girl, very pretty, and accomplished
enough to make d pleasing impression
wherever she went. She was but q lit
tlc over twenty whom she became en-
gagged TO Stanley Horton, the most fas-
cihating man in all our circle Of friends.
Not only handsome and talented-and
no was both-but possessing in re-
markable degree the courtly polish and
winning grace OF manners that 60 30
far toward gaining q woman's heart, the
absorbing love that Jessie felt for him
seemed mutual, and congratulations
were the order Of the day, when your
grandfather failed. From q man OF
wealth he became actually poor, and
losing energy and hope, he came with
Jessie to share our home.
Stanley Horton, the man We all sup
posed a devoted lover, was fully aware
Of the change in Jessie's prospects, yet
hc continued his visits, mixing no ab-
rupt, ungentlemanly desertion Of his
betrothed. Yet we, who watched her
with the jealousy Of affection, soon dis.
covered a change in her. She became
pale and sad, often fearful, till finally
she confided to mo that Stanley was
evidently weary Of her, and had ceased
to love her. Even then she attributed
the change to some defect in herself,
not seeing the mercenary motive till
later, when time had taken the glamour
from her eyes and heart. She gave
him back his ring and promises, thus
accepting the position his urrnanly con-
duct forced upon her, of herself break
| ing the engagement between them. The
first love Of her life was the last. She
was your grandfather's comfort until
ho died, and then she went TO keep
house for Hoyt, who lost his wifo and
baby ono year after his wedding day.
When he died he left her the house and
money, and she lived there till she died.
Still 1 know she loved you, and / am
quite sure her will is not designed so
much to keep you single as 1t Is TO win
the disinterested love Of your future
husband"
There was o long silence after Mrs.
Markham concluded her story, and Jes-
sic allowed her head to rest in her
mothers lap. under her caressing hand
trying to picture q future Of easy com.
Potency shared by the companion Of
her life. II had It's bright side; there
was still love and happiness for her yet
And then o bright face crowned with
curly brown hair would come before
her, and she knew that the handsome
house nor the comfortable income could
ever fll her heart II Charley left m
aching void there. Suddenly, like d
gust Of wind, there swept into the little
sitting room tall, broad.shouldored
young man, in gray tweed suit and
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