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

"Do you suppose, mama, in case the
money goes from me that it will be
given to youp"
"Dear child, how can I ever guess
Your aunt, remember, is your fathers
sister, not mine SO II is scarcely likely
she has thought OF me. am afraid the
heirin the sealed will is John Garland.
"ATammaM
sit is only guess work, dear"
"But he is so unfit TO have the re.
sponsibility OF money ; n man known to
be o gambler and drinking man, II not
IN actual drunkard."
every true. Yet lie is tho nearest
relative your Aunt Jessie had, except.
ing only yourself"
- I can scarcely think Aunt Jessie
would leave him fifty thousand dollars. y
MY dear, she has left II to you, her
niece and namesake."
"Butup the condition that I shall
never marry. II / do, tho scaled will
in tho hands Of her lawyer Is to be
opsned, and tho money pass from me
to tho heir or heirs named therein.
You must know me well enough TO be
sure that the money would never tempt
me to break my engagement /; yet for
your sake / wish Oh, why did Aunt
Jessie leave II to me at all"
"Do not think Of mo. l can live as
we have since your father died. But,
Jessie, p-and Mrs. Markham's face
looked grave aud sad,-"tllere is one
view OF the matter you do not take"
~ daro say there arc fifty. Remem.
Der We have now Ind only an hour or
two TO think, since tho letter came from
the lawyer. But whit is the view you
mean?p 4. elf1l
"Charlie."
'"Charlie
Jesaie's large brown eyes were opened
to their widest extent as she repeated
the name, adding: "Why, / haven't
thought OF anything but Charlie r
"But-I mean-dear ME |" said the
mother, shrinking from uttering her
own thoughts. ,"You know, dear, you
have always been considered your
aunts heifeSs; and Charlie is young
and only commencing tho practice Of
his profession. It may be that he
"Be false TO me for tho sake Of
money! interrupted Jessie, with the
: rosiest Of cheeks and brightest Of eyes.
eve will soon test that, " and she drew
writing.table to her side. az will
send him q copy Of the lawyers letter,
and here her voice and eyes softened
-"the assurance that Aunt Jessie's
will makes no difference TO me-"
Mrs, Markham made no objection 10
this step; but after the letter was
signed, sealed and dispatched to the
village by Polly, the only servant OF
Mrs. Markham,s household, she called
Jessie again TO her side ~
Over the fair. sweet face OF the young
girl there had crept o shade OF gravity
and perplexity since tho arrival OF the
lawyers letter, that clouded the brown
eyes and gave the sensitive, mobile
mouth firmer pressure than was quite
natural Life had, been oil sunshine for
Jessie Markham, yet hers was one Of
the bupyant natures that find the silver
liningifor every cloud, and coax some
sweetness from every bitter dose. Her
father had been dead six years, and his
business affairs having been compli-
Gated in some way not comprehensible
10 feminine intellect, his widow and
child found themselves reduced 10 an
income that barely covered the neces.
saries Of life. They left the city and
took q small cottage In thepretty village
OF Merton, whore Mrs. Markham soon
procured class Of music scholars, and
herself gave Jessie lessons in the high,
OF branches Of English studies, Ger.
man, French, and music, till, at eigh.
teen, her daughter also procured few
pupils in languages. They were very
happy in their mutual affection, in the