The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-07-29

pressure than was quite natural. Life had
not been all sunshine for Jessie Markham,
but hers was one of those buoyant natures
that find the silver lining for every cloud,
and coax some sweetness from every Bit
ter dose. Her father had been dead six
years, and his business affairs having been
complicated in some way not comprehensi-
BILE to their intellects, his widow and
child found themselves reduced to an in
come that barely covered the necessaries of
life. They left the city, and took small
cottage in the small village of Merton,
where Mrs. Markham soon procured 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 also procured a
few pupils in languages. They were very
happy in their mutual affection, in the love
of their pupils, and the cares of their little
household.
1t had been understood from the time
Jessie was tiny baby that she would in
herit the fortune of her maiden aunt for
whom she was named, and who came from
the city every summer to spend month or
two in the little cottage, always bringing
pretty presents to brighten the home Of her
brothers. widow, and lavishing tenderest
affection upon her niece.
Yet though Jessie herself had known of
her 'aunt's supposed intentions, neither she
nor her mother had ever made calculations
upon fortune dependent upon the death
of the one for whom they felt the warmest
affection, and the idea that others could be
influenced by it was new thoughtto the
young girl.
She had given to her betrothed, Charlie
Seaton, the first love of her young heart,
believing his love was all her own. In the
six years she had lived at Merton, child
and maiden, Charlie Seaton had been her
devoted admirer from the first, and had
recently finished his course of law study
and been admitted to the bar. His fortune
inherited from his father, was very small,
barely covering his expenditure for board
and clothing, but he was energetic, indus
trious, and without brilliant talent, clear
headed, intelligent student, promising to
to make capable lawyer, if not shining
light at the bar.
Answering her mothers call, Jessie
nestled down in her favorite seat at her
feet, saying, sadly:
If Charlie was influenced by any hope
of Aunt Jessie's money, mamma, it is bet
ter to know it now. l had supposed we
would have to wait for our wedding day
until he had some practice, and you know
/ have little sum of my own toward first
expenses. We could live here and-there,
l will not think of any more till the answer
comes to my letter"
"While you wait my DEAR" said her
mother, "shall tell you what think is
the explanation Of your aunts singular
will? You, who know her only as the
gentle, sad woman of her later years, can
scarcely imagine. presume that she was
once as bright, hopeful, and sunny temper
ed as yourself. think it is to save you
from her own sorrow that she has taken
from you the power of giving wealth to
a mere fortune-hunter. She would have
you wooed and won for yourself alone, and
and as she has never positively said you
were to be her heiress, she has probably
never supposed Charlie biased by that
hope. Still, dear, it is possible"
eyes, it is possible" said Jessie, slow.
ly, "but tell me about Aunt Jessie"
"Your grandfather 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 fair business
and already married and in his own home
at was, therefore, with the name of al
heiress that Jessie danced through her first
season, careless, light-hearted girl, very
pretty, and accomplished enough to max,
pleasing impression wherever she went
She was but little over twenty when she
became engaged to Stanley Horton, tht
most fascinating young man in our circle
Of friends. Not only handsome and talent
cd land he was both), but possessing in /
remarkable degree the courtly polish anc
winning grace of manners that 60 so fal
toward gaining woman's heart, the alb
sorbing love that Jessie felt for him seemed
mutual, and congratulations were the or
der Of the day, when your grandfather
failed. From man of wealth he becam.
actually poor, and losing energy and hope
he came with Jessie to share our home
Stanley Horton, the man we all supposed