The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1875-03-04
MISS ERISM'S CODICIL.

MISS ltebecca Erlsm, Il Yaletudlna-
rian of sixty, lay dying at her house in
town. She had held SO tenacious Il
grip upon life that it was difficult for
the two young people to realize the end
was 80 near These two young people
were Gerald Erism, her nephew, and
Miss Luane Williams, her companion
and nurse.
Gerald had seen the young woman
every day for the three years she had
lived with his aunt, but never until this
moment had bestowed n serious thought
upon her. He did not even know the
color of her eyes till his aunt gasped
out II sentence that caused him to look
at her attentiyely. Then he found
them shining luminously in the somber
gloom of the sick chamber, and some.
thing therein foIbado him to hate her,
although the sentence his aunt had
uttered was to the effect that she had
left Miss Williams all her money.
eli you expect to pay for that horse
for Emily Thorpe to ride with the
money you get by my DEATH" said the
dying woman, "you're mistaken"
"You don't understand" began
Gerald.
"lt was IN infamous transaction,
said the old lady, l." and what / call a
postobit. | found out enough about it
to make me put II codicil to my will.
That r%ascaIly horse dealer'll lose his
money after all, and Emily Thorpe shall
iiaunt none OF her tinery ut my expense
I've left my money to Luane Williamsl'
1t wal then that Gerald looked at
Luane but his aunt suddenly stretched
out her hands to him pleadingy, and
finding II gray pallor spreading over
her face, he knelt down by her bedside
and took her cold withered hand III his
own.
: If the horse had been for my one
but that Emily Thorpe!" faltered the
poor old lady.
son, aunt" said Gerald, eff you'd
let me explain"
81 would if l had time" she said
"but / must die now"
Iu ten minutes it was all over, and
Gerald went out of the house with II
great ache at his heart. H. was very
sorry for his aunt; she had bsen very kind
to hm-too kind, for she had reared him
for the useless life of a drone, when
now it appeared he must work for a
living like all the rest of the bees. Ii
had hitherto been something of II bore
to him merely to spend money, and the
fact began to dawn unpleasantly upon
his mind that to ezra it must DO in.
initely more wearisome.
Walking aimlessly on his, feet took
mechanically n familiar direction, and
he found himself pausing before II fine
house in n fashionable quarter Of the
city, from which shambled q somewhat
bent and awkward figure that presently
disappeared in a brYugham before the
door.
Gerald recognized the man rs Mr..
Badger the millionaire, and involun'
tarily contrasted his condition with that
of the fortunate soap dealer. He was,
however, SO absorbed with the direful
news he had to tell Emily that before
she came into the parlor he had forgot
ten Bidger's existence.
1t was singular that her remarkable
beauty and brilliant t,ilet did not APP
pail Gerald at that moment that tue
fact OF his no longer being able to grace
that lovely hand with BETTING gems
dad not prevent him from seizing il in
both his own, and kissing it raptarous.
ly. But for an enchanting moment he
was allowed to forget the gloomy cham
Der where his aunt lay dead, and the
woman who waited there Tor the O
he had been taught 10 consider his own.
at seems to me that you are very
beautiful this morning." was all thai
he could say.
Emily drew her band gently away
from his caress.
Gerald" she said, ~ have some
thing to tell you,"