The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-10-11
The LEGACY HUNTERS.

and tenth birthday. She was q rIc
widow, childless, and with no know
relatives save two gentlemen cousins.
Never were cousinly attachments
more beautifully illustrated, or cousinl.
Jealousy amiably exemplified, than II
the daily walk and conversation of thes,
two collateral kinsmen. They bestowed
so much affection on their common rela
tive that they had none to waste between
themselves.
Both were several years younger thar
the lady, with fair prospect, according
to the course of nature, OF surviving her
and how to supplant each other in hel
Will, which, at least, she had begun Il
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 A bi
gail the usual ''many happy returns,' y
he was not little chagrined to find
Cousin Dick there before him. How
ever, he presented his annual gift and
went through the recitation of his an
| nual speech without missing word
and seeing Tabby, the cousinly cat
perched snugly on his rivaps knee, by
| way Of not being outdone in cousinly at.
| tention he took up "Pompey," the cous-
inly poodle, though dogs were his abom.
| ination.
swell, Cousin Abigail, 1 hope your
health continues good" said Cousin
Roger, patting Pompey's head, and
glancing suspicioHsly at Cousin Dick,
| who he devoutly wished at Jericho.
mo, not SO good, latterly, as it has
been. The fact 49, The old lady contin-
ued, II have been thinking seriously OF
sending for Mr.. Parker, with a view OF
settling my worldly affairs without
delay"
"Oh, there is no need of haste, cousin" !"
mentally adding, "what has possessed
the old ninny to put it off SO long?"
a"Well, well, l suppose there's no
hurry about it," said Cousin Abigail.
."And yet" Cousin Roger ventured to
hint, ''it's always well to be prepared !;
and none of us can tell the minute OF
the hour, you KNOW"
"And after all, calling in lawyer is
not 50 serious matter as calling in u
DOCTOR" said Cousin Dick, fastidiously.
The conversation was interrupted by
the entrance of a young and beautiful
girl, at whom Cousin Dick stared with
surprised and troubled look.
"Pardon me, ma'am," she said, in
voice remarkably sweet and gentle:
mot knowing you were engaged, 1 came
to see il you wished me, as usual, to read
to you today
'.Presently, DEAR" Mrs. Marley an
swered, in a tone that plainly limited her
visitors would not be pressed TO stay if
they offered to go.
After an awkward pause, the two
cousins took their departure together.
''Who is that girlr inquired Roger,
as soon as they had reached the street.
"You may well ask" said Cousin
Dick; ana, stopping, he whispered
something in his companion's ear, at
which the latter started suddenly.
"Good heaven! the resemblance is GER
tanly striking. But what is to be done?
Do you think the old-Cousin Abigail,
anythingW
"Not yet, l think; but no time is to be
lost. l have plan which it would be
well for US to talk over together"
The two hurried rapidly along.
Mrs. Yarley had occasionally found
time hang heavily on her hands, and SO
had advertised tor a person to nil the
post OF 'companion" to an aged lady,
1t was thus that Hester Darling had be-
come an inmate OF the house.
AT as early an hour as was seemly on
the morning following that on which we
them to the reader, Roger
and Dick again presented themselves
before their cousin.
"We have thou sht it oIr duty, cousin
- began Dick.
"Our bounden duty" put In Roger.
'As painful as it is Imperative" Dick
continued.
"To put you on your guard, maam,"
Roger added.
against deceitful and designing
exclaimed Dick.
"Who is no better than she should be-"
shouted Roger, Indignantly.
Upon my word, cousins, I do not
comprehend a syllable you have ut
tered" said Mrs. Varley .snor shall 1
be likely to, if you both keep talking at
once. Come, Dick, you seem the least
excited, wnat is the meaning of ali
thlsW
"Wbat means, may venture to ask"
said Dick, "did you take to ascertain the
character and antecedents of the Young
woman at present sheltered beneath your
rooi?"
"Why, none," replied the good old
lady. "Her young and truthful face was
enough on which TO
give her d trial."
"We have ascertained her to be most
creature," proceeded Dick,
'.and have deemed it proper at once TO
apprise you OF the discovery. Should she
deny the accusation, we are prepared
with abundant proof"
And the two cousins took their leave
with an air of exalted virtue.
Mrs. Varley was lady OF the strictest
propriety and seyerest morals. Much as
She pi led the poor and friendless girl,
she must be promptly freed from this foul
and dreadful charge, or cross her thresh-
old, never to return. She went directly
to Hester's chamber.
"You must tell me your past history,
child" said Mrs. Varley, in determined
but not unkindly tone.
''Oh, madam, pray you pardon me,
but can not tell it,"
"Then it has been one of shame and
yuiltW
"For a time of shame, madam" an
'wered the young girl, with flushed |
cheek, shut never of guilt"
What was it that caused Mrs. Varley |
10 start SO suddenly, and staggered. half |
to seat at Heste's dressing
able?
"Who-whose likeness is that?v she
in u scarcely articulate voice, |
pointing to an open miniature on the ia.
Die.
'My mother's," Hester answered.
"Then you are Florence Maryin's
,hildW
"fhat was, indeed, my mothers |
iame."