Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-02-14

natural Life had heen all sunshine to
Jessie Markham !; yet hers was one of
the buoyant natures that find the silver
lining for every cloud, and coax some
sweetness from every bitter dose.
Her father had been dead six years,
and his business affairs having become
complicated in some way not comprc-
hensible to feminine intellect, his widow
and child found themselves reduced to
an income that barely covered the neces-
saries of life. They left the city and
took small cottage i'll the pretty village
of Morton, 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 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 II tiny baby that she should
inherit the fortune of her maiden aunt,
from whom she was named, and who
came from the city every summer to
spend a month or two in the little cot
tagc, 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 annt's supposed intentions,
neither she nor her mother had ever
made calculation upon fortune de-
pendent upon the death of the one for
whom they felt the warmcst affection,
and the idea that others could be in
fiuenced by it was new thought to the
young girl.
She had given to her betrothed,
Charlie Scaton, the first love of her
young heart, believing that his love was
all her own. In the six years she had
lived in Morton, child and maiden,
Charlie Seaton had been her devoted ad-
mirer 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, industrious, and without
brilliant talent, a clear-headed, intelli-
gent student, promising to make a
capable lawyer, if not shining light mt
the bar
Answering her mothers call, Jessie
nestled down in her favorite seat at her
feet, saying:
If Charlie was influenced by any
hope of Aunt Jessies money, mamma,
it is better to know it now l had sup
posed we would have to wait for our
wedding day until he had some practice,
aud you know have little sum of my
tow UV,, II
live here, and-therc, | will not think of
1T any more till the answer comes to my
letter"
"While you wait, DEAR" said her
mother, {" shall l tell you what I think
is the explanation of your aunt's singu-
lar will? You, who knew her only as
the gentle, sad woman of her late years,
can scarcely imagine, I presume, that
she was once as bright, hopeful, and
sunny-tcmpercd as yourself. l think
it is to save you from her own sorrow
| that she has taken from you the power
of giving wealth to a Nero fortune
hunter. She would have you wooed and
won for yourself alone, and as she has
never positively said you We're to be her
heircss, she has probably never sup
posed Charlie biased by that hope.
Still, dear, it is possible.
Eyes, it is possible said Jessie,
slowly; "but tell me about Aunt
Jessie"
You 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 Il physician, your father doing then a
fair business, and already married and
III his own home
L" 1t was, therefore, with the name of
an hciress that Jessie danced through
her first season, II careless, light-hcartcd
girl, very pretty and accomplished, to
make Il pleasing impression wherever
she went. She was but n little over
twenty when she became engaged to
Stanley Horton, the most fascinating
man i'll all our circle of friends. Not
only handsome and talented-and he
was both-but possessing in remark
able degree the courtly polish and win
ming grace of manners that go so far
toward gaining a woman's heart.
1.-The absorbing love Jessie felt for
him seemed mutual, and congratula-
tions We're the order of the day, when
your grandfather failed. From II man
of wealth he became actually poor, and
losing energy and hope, he came with
Jessie to share our home.
Stanley Horton, the man we all
supposed a devoted lover, was fully
aware of the change in Jessie's pros
poets, yet he continued his visits, max
ing no abrupt, ungentlemanly desertion
of his betrothed. Yet we, who watched
her with the jealousy of affection, soon
discovered Il change in her. She became
pale and sad, often fearful, till finally
she coniided to me that Stanley was
evidently weary of her, and had ceased
to love her. Even then she attributed
the change to some defect in herself,
not seeing the mercenary motive till
later, when time had taken the glamour
from her eyes and heart.
She gave him back his ring and
promises; thus accepting the position
his unmanly conduct forced upon her,
of herself breaking the engagement be
tween them.
1.-The first love of her life was the
last. She was your grandfather's com
fort until he died, and then went te
keep house for Hoyt, who lost his wife
and baby one year after his wedding
day. When he died he left her his
house and his money, and she LIVED
there till she died. Still I know sh,
loved you, and am quite sure her vii
| 10 Il 10