The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-07-19
popular GALES,
THE SEALED WILL.

" Do you suppose, mamma, in case the
money goes from me, that it will be given
to you2
Dear child, how can | ever guess
Your aunt, remember, is your fathers sis
ter, not mine; so it is scarcely likely she
has thought Of me. am afraid the heir
in the sealed will is John Garland"
" Mamma y
1t is only guess-work, dear"
= But he is so unfit TO have the respon-
sibility of money man known to be a
gambler and drinking man, If not an ac-
tual drunkard." i"
avery true. Yet he is the nearest rel
utive your aunt Jessie had, excepting only
yourself.
al can scarcely think Aunt Jessie would
leave him fifty thousand dollars"
"My dear, she has left it to you, her
niece and namesake."
"But upon the condition that | shall
never marry. If | do, the sealed will in
the hands of her lawyer is to be opened,
and the money pass from me to the heir
or heirs named therein. You must know
me well enough to be sure that the money
would never tempt me to break my en-
gagement; yet for your sake | wish-Oh,
why did Aunt Jessie leave 1t to ME at all. F"
"Do not think of me- | can live as
we have done since father died. But,
jessie and Mrs. Markham's face looked
grave and sad, "there is one view Of the
matter you do not take"
81 dare say there are fifty. Remember
we have now had only an hour or two to
think, since the letter came from the law
yer. But what is the view YOU mean y
"Charlie."
" Charlie ~
Jessie's large brown eyes were opened
to their widest extent as she repeated the
name, adding:
"Why, haven't thought of anything
but Charlier'
"But-I mean-dear me y said the
mother, shrinking from uttering her own
thoughts "You know, dear, you have
always been considered your aunt's heiress
and Charlie is young, and only commenc
ing the practice Of his profession, it 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. ave will
soon test that" and she drew writing
table to her side II will send him copy
of the lawyers letter, and"--herc her voice
voice and eyes softened-'the assurance
that Aunt Jessie's will will make no differ
cnce to ME.
Ms. Markham made no objection "a
this step. but after the letter was signed
sealed and dispatched to the village by
Polly, the only servant of Mrs. Markham
household, she called Jessie again to heI
side.
Over the fair sweet face of the young
girl there had crept a shade of gravity and
perplexity since the arrival Of the lawyers
letter, that clouded the brown eyes and
Raye the sensitive, mobile mouth firmer
pressure than was quite natural. Life
had not been all sunshine for Jesse Mark
ham, yet hers was one of those buoyant
natures that find the silver lining fol
every cloud and coax some sweetness from
every bitter dose. Her father had been
dead six years, and his business affair
having been complicated in some way moi
comprehensive to feminine intellects, his
widow and child found themselves reduced
to an income that barely covered the me-
cessaries of life. They left the city, and
took small cottage in the small village Of
Merton, where Mrs. Markham soon pro
cured a class of music scholars, and herself
gave Jessie lessons in the higher branches
Of English studies, German, French and
music, till, at eighteen, her daughter alst
procured few pupilsin languages. The,
were very happy in their mutual affection
In the love Of their pupils, and the cares
Of their little household.
Il had been understood from the time
Jessie was tiny baby that she would in
herit the fortune of her maiden aunt, fol
whom she was named, and who came from
the city every summer to spend nontl
or two in the little cottage, always bring
ing pretty presents to brighten the hom'
of her brothers widow, aud layishing ten
derest affection upon her niece.
Yet though Jessie herself had known 2
her aunts supposed intention, neither sh'
nor her mother had ever made calculation
upon fortune dependent upon the dealt
Of one for whom they felt the warncs
affection, and the idea that others coult