The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1873-04-05

name, adding ~
Why, | haven't thought Of anything
but Charlie!'
"But-I mean-Dear me said the moth
err, shrinking from uttering her own
thought, you know, dear, you have al
ways been considered your aunts heiress
and Charley is young, and only commenc-
ing the practice OF his profession IL may
be that he will"
"Be false TO me for the sake OF money ,
interrupted Jessie, with the rosiest Of
cheeks and brightest OF eyes "We will
soon test that and she drew writing
table to her side" 81 will send him copy
OF the lawyers letter, and'-here her voice
and eyes soitened- the assurance that
Aunt Jessies will will make no difference
TO me-"
Mrs Markham made no objection to
this step; but after the letter was sicne
sealed, and dispatched to the village by
Polly, the only servant of the Markham
household, she called Jessie again to her
side.
Over the fair sweet face OF the Young
girl there had crept a shade OF gravity aud
perplexity since the arrival OF the LAWYER
letter that clouded the brown eyes and gave
the sensitive mobile mouth iirmer pre--
sure than was quite natural. Life had not
been all sunshine for Jessie Markham, vet
hers was one OF the buoyant natures that
find the silver lining for every cloud, aud
coax some sweetness from every bitter
dose. Her father had been dead Tor six
years, and his business affairs having be-
come complicated in some way not COM
I prehensble to feminine ntellects, his wild.
ow and chill had found themselves re.
duced TO an income that barely covered the
necessaries OF lite. They lett the city and
took small cottage in the pretty village OF
Merton, where Mrs Markham soon ,ro
cured class OF music scholars, and her
sell gave Jessie IN the higher branches OF
English studies German French and mu-
sic, TIL at eighteen, her daughter also pro-
cured q lew pupils in languages they
were very happy lh their musical affection.
IN the love Of their pupils, and the cares OF
their little household
1t has been understood from the time
Jessie was tiny baby that she would in
herlt the fortune OF her maiden aunt. for
whom she WAS named, and who came from
the city every summer to spend a month
or two IN the little cottage, always bring.
ing pretty presents to brighten the home
OF her brothers widow, aud lavishIng the
tenderest affection upon her niece.
Yet, though Jessie herself had known of
her aunts supposed inten tons, neither she
nor her mother had ever made ca culations
upon fortune dependent upon ;he death
OF one for whom they feIt the warmest al.
fiction, and the idea that others could be
Influenced by it was new thought to the
young girl.
She had given to her ibetrothed, Char
lie Sealon, the first love Of her young heart.
believing his love was all her own. In
the six years she had lived in Merton. child
and maiden Charlie Seaton had been her
devoted admirer from the first lie was
young, only twenty three, and had recent
ly finished his course of law study, and had
been admitted to the bar His fortune.
inherited from his father, was very small.
barely covering his expenditure tor board
aud clothing but lac was energetic, indus
trious, and without brilliant talent. a clear
headed, intelligent student, promising to
make capable lawyer, il not shining
hight at the bar
Answering her mothers call Jessie mes
tied down in her lavorite seat at her feet
saying sadly:
"If charley was influenced by any hope
OF Aunt Je-sies money, mamma il is bet
ter to know it now. had supposed we
would have TO wait Tor orr wedding day
until he had some practice aud you know
! have little sum Of money Of my own
toward first expenses We could 1--we here.
and-therc, will not think Of it any more
I'LL the answer comes to my letter
while YOU wait, dear, said her mother,
'-hall te'l you what think is the *
plaustion Of your auuts singular wiI2
YOu, who knew her only a. the gentle. sad
Wouau of her latter years, can scarcely re-
slze, ! presume, that she was once Az
bright hopeful aud sunny az yourself I
thiuk tits to save you from her own sor.
row that she has taken from you the pow