Smyrna times., 1874-09-09
MiSce eIIUH e Gus.
Gertrude's Temptation.

Gertrude Fanshaw stood beside the window
OF the drawing room, looking out upon bleak
winter prospect, where the half-melted snow
splashed under the horses feet and sent show
ers OF mud from the wheels of carts and car
rlages. dreary day, and yet the face at the
window was perfectly clOudless, an expression
OF watchful happiness in the clear, blue eyes,
and the sweet mouth curved in smiles. A
child like face, the true index of a fresh young
heart, and pure, loving disposition.
There was nothing ln Gertrude Fanshaw's
character that Was extraordinary in any way.
The only child OF merchant i'll moderate cir.
cumstances, she had received fair education,
and carried in her pretty little head no wonder
full intellectual treasures, no flash of genius or
sparkling talent. She could play little, sing
ballads i'll a sweet voice, was a capital house.
keeper, and had good fund of very sound
common sense.
But her pretty face, her cheerful disposition,
her winsome manners, had gained for her two
ardent lovers, cousins to each other, and heirs
! expectant OF Malcolm, the banker. | said
heirs expectant; aud yet Walter Malcolln had
little hope of gaining much of his uncle s
large fortune, while John Lennox was prom
ised legatee, although his only claim was
through the banker long dead wife, his aunt.
No one could account for the fact that since
the lads, both educated and brought up at Mr.
whole affection seemed to centre upon John
Lennox, though he never neglected any duty
to Walter.
Not, however, until the two became suitors
for Gertrude FanshaW's favor did he declare
his intention Of making John Lennox his heil
and the partner in his business Walter was
already established in modest stationery store
where he was succeeding pretty WE'LL but with
what MIR. Fanshaw considered u starving in
come.
So in the summer time, when the parties
met at Conway, Mr.. Fanshaw gave Gertrude
to understand that John LennOx was his ia
, vorite of her rival lovers; and Gertrude will
, the perverslty OF her sex, Immediately poureC
the treasure of her affections at the feet O
Walter Malcolm. How the matter might hav
ended had the banker lived | cannot under
take to say, but on the winter morning whei
: Gertrude looked upon the splashing snow
3 Walter Malcolm had gone to her father S coun
O ting room to tell him that all search for hi
v dead uncle's will had been vain, and the trus
n tees of the estate had declared him heir-at-la,
to the property.
"There was will drawn up, signed, an
II witnessed" the young man explained to Gel
e trude's father, leaving me twenty thOusan
:, q dollars, and the remainder of the property {
,f my Cousin John.
% "Is he your cousin 2"
."No, sir but we have been brought u
rs like brothers. My uncle was devotedly attacf
d ed to his wife, and when her sister died an
,e left John a baby they adopted him. He va
,e twelve years old when his aunt died, all
.. Uncle Malcolm loved him like an own son.
IN was fifteen when my parents died, and n
e. uncle gave me home, and has been kin
a friend to me. But he never loved me as
loved John. Still, am his heirat law, whi
John has no claim npon him."
And what shall you do regarding this ms