Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-07-10
He was buried in the Elmwood graveyard,
but not near our mother, for we could not let
him rest there.
CHAPTER XVIII.

of the Elmwood property. l was III favor OF
saying nothing about it, and letting things
remain as they were---J Ohm to retain possession,
and then at my death 1 would leave him the
place by my will. Owen did not agree with
me; he was opposed to anything like con-
cealment, and advised me to tell John every
thing
After talking the matter over, decided
that would see John the following day, and
tell him my wishes. 1t was the next morn
ing that I found him seated in the library,
looking over some papers. I never entered
the room without o shudder; the events Of
that evening were indelibly stamped upon my
memory, and 1 could not forget them.
II am glad you have come in, Matte" said
John; II have been looking over the old pa
pers in this desk, and find some that l cam
not understand. Here is note from Mr..
Walker to our mother, which seems to have
been written soon after he lett her. He says:
Il am about to leave this country for Cuba;
therefore, you will not be annoyed by my pres
ence in future You need feel no uneaslness as
regards the welfare of your children. III .'s tne
event of your death, shall Immediately return
and take possession. Perhaps it would be well
not to inform them that you have made over the
Elmwood property to me; 1t might occasion ~
feeling, and there is no necessity Tor us exsthg
between us, as shall remember my promise to
you, and see that they are properly cared for. IL
Is not in my power to give you my future address.
Your affectionate husband,
WILLIAM WALKER
What is the meaning of this, Matte? Did
that man really own this placer"
"Yes," I replied and then 1 told John
what had occurred in relation to the will.
When he had heard all, he said
"Then, Elmwood belongs to you ?"
"But came in here this morning to tell
you that I am not going to keep it. am
having the papers prepared to make it over
to you. Please do not raise any objection to
this, John you will grieve me very much
if you do"
"What will Owen say, Matte? You must
consider him, now"
"He agrees with me. You know we do not
intend remaining here after our marriage,
and it would be source Of annoyance to me
to own property here; no money would COM
pensate for being the cause of Mary and your
self leaving Elmwood. No, John, you must
not go. 1t was only owing to sick mans
fancy that the place was left to me. 1t is as
much yours, really, as it is mine"
81 must see Mary first, Matte, and hear
what she says. Suppose we call her in now,
and have the matter settled at once"
every WE'LL" said I 'perhaps it would be
best"
When Mary came, I asked John to let me
state the case to her. After I had done so,
she sat quiet for several moments in deep
thought. At length, she said, putting her
hand in mine
81 am in favor of remaining at Elmwood,
John. judge Matties feelings by my own'
and 1 know it would grieve me, if were in
her place, for you to go away. | am not too
proud to be dependent on our dear sister
Matte for our home. We owe her more,
now, John, than we can ever repay; let us do
as she wishes"
"But, Mary, you forget that Matte is soon
to be married We have no right to take her
only portion from her"
"If you say much more, John, shall call
Owen in and let him tell you that he thinks
I am worth fortune in myself. He has
ample means for our support, and he has also
been offered a professorship in the College at
Columbia. If he accepts that, we shall be
quite wealthy"
"You cannot have too much, Matte; and
as extravagant as you are, it will take pro-
fessorship, and the proceeds from farm, too,
to support you"
"You are laughing at ME, John, and that is
good sign. Nellie says, whenever she can
make you laugh she knows you are going to
say yes Is it so now?"
"Well, suppose shall have to say it. 1t
is not often that man is so reluctant to ac-
cept fine estate but I think our dear mother
would have liked me to remain here. 1t ls
lust as much your home now, Matte, as it ev-
er was and 1 only accept it on this condition"
II consent to that very gladly, John; and
you need not think you are going to get rid of
me so soon. We cannot be married for sew
eral months yet, think"
lam so glad, Matte" said Nary" 81 can
not bear the idea of your leaving US. What
shall I do without you p
"You will get on very we'll, my little sister,
I suspect shall miss all of you much more
than you will miss me. l have been such a
great home body all my life, that I dread 60
ing away, even though it is as Ovens wife"
"What is that about Ovens wife," asked
Owen, who had come in just in time to hear
the last worcs.
"It is we'll you have come in," said John.
"Here is Matte making pauper of herself
for my benefit, and saying she knows you pre-
fer bcggar to an heiress for your wife
81 did not say exactly that, Owen but |
did say that knew you wished me to give up
my right to Elmwood. Is it not 500"
eyes, Matte; though it is entirely in coll
sderation of my own comfort. know you
will be coming back here every week or two
to look after your ESTATE and l could not
stand that, indeed. I have waited so long
for ma wife, John, that I think when that
lady arrives, I shall never let her leave me
again"
"Then you must make up your mind to
visit us very often, Doctor Morris" said
Af,ry. "for we must see Matte at least two
or three times year"
"And am l expected to agree to this prop,
! on;t;nn 2n ask cd Owen LAUGHING.