The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1874-11-13
THE LEGACY Hr'NrERs.

II was Abigail varleys three-score
and-tenth birthday. She was ricl
widow, childlcss, and with no known rel
ativcs save two gentlemen cousins.
Never was cotisinly attachment NOR
beautifully illustrated, or cousinly jeal
ously less aimably exempli6cd, than il
the daily walk and conversation of thes'
two collateral kinsmen. They bestowed
40 much ELECTION on their common rela
tive that they had zone left TO waste be
tween themselves.
Both were several years younger thar
the lady, with fair prospect according
10 the course Of nature, Of surviving
her; and how to supplant each other in
her will, which she had at last began I,
talk seriously Of making, was the prob
lem which at present engaged their at
tention.
On the morning in question, wher
cousin Roger called to wish cousin Abb
gail the usual many happy returns,
he was not little chagrined to find cous
in Dick there before him. However, he
presented his annual gift, and went
through his annual speech without miss
ing word and seeing Tabby, the cous
inly cat, snugly on his rivals knee, by
way Of not being outdonc in cousinly at
tention, he took up Pompcy, the cousinly
poodle, though dogs were his abomina
ton.
"Well, cousin Abigail, ] hope YOU
health continues good" said cousin
Roger, patting Pompcy's head, and
glancing suspiciously at cousin Dick
whom he devoutly wished at Jericho.
"Not so good lately as it has been
The fact is" the old lady continued, 81
have been thinking seriously of sending
for Mr.. Parker, with a view of settling
my worldly affairs without delay"
90, there is no need of haste, cousin,
broke in Dick; "you have many yean
before you yet !" mentally adding, what
has possessed the old ninny to put it Of
solongT
"well, well, I suppose there's No
hurry about it." said cousin Abigail.
And yet" cousin Roger ventured t.
hint, ait is always well to be prepared
none of us can tell the minute or tn,
hour, you know"
And, after all, calling in lawyer il
not 80 serious a matter as calling in ,
DOCTOR" said cousin Dick, facetiously.
The conversation was interrupted b,
the entrance Of young and beautiful
girl, at whom cousin Dick stared with ,
surprised and troubled look.
Pardon me, mann" she said, in ,
voice remarkable sweet and gentle; "no
knowing you were engaged, came I,
see II you wished me, as usual, to read t,
you to-day"
presently, dear" MIRA Marley an
swered' In tone that plainly limited hel
visitors would not be pressed to stay j
uey onered togo.
AFTER an awkward pause, the two cous
"A nm
VIM :. INA, g,h inquired Roger
"' 'ney nau reached the street.
lou may well ask, said cousir
Dck; ana, stopping, he Whispered
something in his companions ear, a
which the latter started suddenly.
GOOD heavens! the resemblance il
certainly striking. But what is to b,
zone DO you think the old-cousir
Abigail, l mean-s'lspects anything"
Not yet, think; but no time is I,
DC lost. 1 have a plan which it would
DC wei Tor us to talk over together"
ana the two hurried rapidly along.
MRS, Nariey had occasionally found
ums nang heavy on her hands, and 81
haa advertised Tor person to fill the
post Oh companion to an aged lady
twas mus That Hester Darling had be
come an inmate OF the house.
Al as early an hour as was seemly on thu
mo,"'ng io'io"ihg that on which We in
tfOuuccu tncfn 10 the reader RDppr an,