The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-07-31

biased By that hope. Still, dear, It is pos
sible.D He
Yes, it is possible, - said Jessie slowly,
s. but tell me about Aunt Jessie.
Your Gre1dfather 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 as physician,
your father doing then a fair business, and
already married end in his own home"
Il was, therefore, with the name Of an
heiress that Jessie danced through her first
season, q careless, hght-hearted girl-very
pretty, and accomplished enough 10 make &
pleasing impression wherever che went.
She was but little over twenty when she
became engaged to Stanley Horton. the
most fascinating man In al our circle Of
friends. Not only handsome aud talented
land he was both, but possessing in a re-
markable degree the County polish and
winning grace Of manners that 90 so far
toward gaining a WOman's heart the alb
sorbing love that Jessie felt for him seemed
mutual, and congratulations were the order
OF the day, when your grandfather failed.
From 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 supposed to be a de-
voted lover was fully aware of the change
IN Jessies prospects, yet he continued all
visits, making no abrupt, Intentionally
desertion of his betrothed Yet we, who
watched her with the jealousy Of affection,
soon discovered a change in her. She be-
came pale and sad, often fearful, tin finally
she confided TO me that Stanley was evident
ly 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 ard heart. She gave
him back his ring and promises, thus ac-
cepting the position his unmanly conduct
had forced upon her, of herself breaking
the engagement between them. The first
love OF her life was the last. She was
your grandfather's comfort until he died,
and then went to keep house for Hoyt who
lost bis wife and baby one year after his
wedding day. When he died he left her
the house and money, and she lived there
till she died. Still, / know she loved YOU.
and am quite sure her will is not designed
so much to keep you single as it is to win
the disinterestcd love of your future hus-
band.r eis
There was a long silence after Mrs. Mark
ham concluded her story, and Jessie allowed
her head to rest in her mothers lap, under
her caressing hand trying to picture
future Of easy competency shared by the
companion of her life It had its bright
side; there was still love and happiness for
her yet And then bright face CROWNED
with curly brown hair wOnld come before
her, and she knew that the handsome house
nor the comfortable income could ever fill
her heart if Charlie left an aching void
there.
Suddenly, like gust Of wind, there swept
into the little sitting room a tall, broad
shouldered young man, in gray tweed suit
and SLOUGH hat, which latter article found
a resting place upon the floor, as the fopng
giant braced himself before Jessie in anAat-
titude of grim defiance that sent thrills of
glad music into her heart.HlEJE
'Will you have the kindness, Miss Mark
ham, said the intruder, towering in his six
feet Of manhood over Jessie's low seat, s'tO
tell me what You mean by that absurd letter
Polly handed met Was it not fully under
stood that you and were to share this cot
tage with your mamma until attained sufi-
cient legal eminence to warrant the pur-
chase of brown stone front in New York;
Was not deluded into the belief that your
presence in the culinary department Of our
establishment was to reduce our expenses to
the limits of our present income2 Was it
not represented to me that my present hoard
was sufficient to meet the requirements of
two in this domicilel In short, Miss Mark
ham, inwhat-way was l ever led to suppose
that the fortune of your spinster aunt was to
influence in the slightest degree your matri-
monial relations in regard to myselfg Ipause
for a reply.n iFa
Jesse stood up, her hands meekly folded
together, and her happy eyes downcast till
the long lashes kissed her cheek.
Please forgive me this time, and I'll
never dolit again. she said and then the
laugh dimpled her cheek, danced in her
eyes, and rippled out clear and sweet upon
the air.
"Oh, Charlie Charlie knew you never
thought of Aunt Jessie's money! IaEsl j
= And you, - sud Charlie, holding her off
at arms length, "you can have it all if you
give me up"
''As if I loved money better than you, "
said Jessie, nesting now in che strong arms
wrapped closely around her.
It seemed, however, as if Charlie was
actually afraid Of the money that was so
temptingly near Jessie's grasp, for he com
menced a series Of interviews that bore en-
tirely upon the subject of an immediate
marriage.
"What is there to wait forr' he would
ask, and then enter upon calculations of his
present expenses and those of the future,
proving most conclusively that there was
decided saving for both in uniting their
incomes.
"You remind me, said Jessie, ''of the
Dutchman who said he could almost sup
port himself alone, and it was a pity if two
Of them could not do it entirely.n
Nlrkk ~
was quite willing to admit the force Of his
reasoning, and one bright June morning.
six months after Aunt Jcssie's death. there
was a quiet wedding in the village church.
and breakfast in the cOttage for few
chosen friends. Among these was Aunt
Jessie's lawyer, for the win stipulated that
the sealed cOdicil was to be opened at
Jessie's wedding if she preferred love to
money. -a..
The bride was little paler than usual
when, with solemn face, the New York !
lawyer broke the big red seal. Visions of
John Garland holding drunken revels in her
aunts house fitted across her mind. and
then she looked into Charities face, and |
content.
The will was opened and found TO contain
only letter directed TO Jessie, and short.
legally worded formula making herself and
her chosen husband joint inheritors of her
aunts fortune. Truly, the bride epenedr
the letter from the dead.
With loving words Aunt Jessie blessed
her, and wished her happiness.
Il do not, she wrote, approve Of the /
money power IN family being entirely in |
the hands Of woman; therefore. you viii 1
find, dear Jessie, that half of my fortune |
only IS yours, the remaining half to 90 to
the husband who has proved that he loved /
you Tor your own sweet self, not for YOUR
fortune
During the wedding tour of the young
couple, Mrs, Markham, at their earnest So
ncitation, took en- affectionate farewell of
her pupils, and removed her household /
treasures to the New York mansion. 70
which, in due time, came Charlie and Jessie
q brighten the long, silent rooms with I