The Van Buren press., 1874-12-22
MISCELLANY.
GERTRUDES TEMPTATION.
BY ANNA SHIELDS.

| Gertrude Fanshaw stood beside the
window of the drawing room, looking
out upon a bleak winter prospect, where
half melted snow splashed under the hor-
ses' feet, and sent showers of mud from
the wheels or carts and carriages. A
dreary day, and yet the face at the win
dow was perfectly cloudlcss, an express
ion Of watohful happiness in the clear
blue eyes, and the sweet mouth curved in
smiles. 4 child like face, the true index
of fresh young heart, and pure, loving
disposition.
There was nothing In Gertrude Fan
shaw's character that was extraordinary
in any way The only child Of a mer-
chant in moderate circumstance, she had
received a fair education, and carried in
her pretty little head no wonderful intel
lectuai treasures, no flashes of genius or
sparkling talent She could play little,
sing ballads in sweet voice, was cap
ital housekeeper, and had good fund of
very sound common sense.
But her pretty face, her cheerful dispo-
sition, her winsome manners, had gained
| for her two ardent lovers, cousins to each
other, and heirs expectant Of Malcolm
Malcom, the banker. said heirs expec-
tant, and yet Walter Malcomb had little
hope of gaining much of his uncle S
large fortune, while John Lennox was a
promised egatee, although his only claim
was through the bankers long dead wife,
his aunt.
No one could account for the fact that
since the lads, both educated and brought
up at Mr.. Malcolm's expense, arrived al
maturity, bis whole affection seemed to
center 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 heir, and the partner in
his business. Walter was already estab
lished in modest stationery store, where
he was succeeding pretty well, but with
what Mr.. Fanshaw considered starving
income.
SO in the summer time when the par
ties met at Conway, Mr.. Fanshaw gave
Gertrude to understand that John Len
nox was his favorite of her rival lovers
and Gertrude with the perversty of heI
rival lovers; and Gertrude, with thu
perversity Of her sex, Immediately poureC
the treasure of her affections at the fee
of Walter Malcolm. How the matte
might have ended had the banker lived.
cannot undertake to say, but en- the win
ter morning, when Gertrude looked ou
upon the splashing snow, Walter Nal
colin had gone to her fathers counting
room to tell him that all search for hi
dead uncle's will had been in vain, ant
the trustees Of the estate had declared
him heir at law to the property.
There WAS a will drawn up, signed
and Witnessed the young man explain
ed to Gertrude's father leaving m
twenty thousand dollars, and the remain
der Of the property to my CousinJohn.
"Is he your couin 2
"Ne, sir; but we have been brough
up like brothers. My uncle was devoted
" attached to his wife; and when he
sister died, and left JOHN baby the
adopted him. He was twelve yoars oil
when his aunt died. and Uncle Malcolr
loved him like an own son. ! was fftee
when my parents died. and my uncl
gave me home, and has been a kim
friend to me. But he never loved me a
he loved John. Still / am his heir at
law, while John has no claim upon him.
"And what shall you do regardin!
this man your uncle loved, now he ha
DESTROYED the will that virtually disin
herited your?
"John will carry on my uncle's busi
ness about which know nothing, Will
/ half the profits shall learn from hln mn
and take my place as a partner. Ih'
personal property, the house ana iurn'
ture, will be mine, as John declines u
share my home"
"H'm! yes see! You know h
proposed to Gertrude, last summer
=" know it, sir, but Gertrude loves me
loved me then
"Yes. Well, can only consent t
your marriage now,as you are able t.
: support a wife ,.
came to her, splashing through the mudd
streets, regardless Of all but his haste t.
carry the good news. Was he not young
richp Surely the winter sun never shon
upon two happier faces than. those In All
Fanshaw's drawing room, when waite
brought her fathers consent to Gertrude
81 But tell you, Ger, he said" "
should never have had tiff that will ha
been found Your father told me so i
so many words"
But the will was gone, and preparation
: for the wedding went forward brlskly
John Lennox came occasionally to cal
I upon the bride elect, always grave an
, pale, most unlike her sunny lace
betrothed, who always had a jest or
smile ready Gertrude wondered some
times how John could ever have care
for her. He was 50 far above her int