The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-12-25
Mr. Parsons Will.

1t was my first visit to London since l
had taken up my abode and entered on the
practice Of my profession as solicitor at
Southampton.
In London had q very dear friend, my
old college friend, George Dickson; and as
he was the only person knew in the great
metropolis, Of course lost no time in look
ing him up.
Three years had passed since our last
meeting, but ten could have scarcely pro-
duced change more marked than had
taken place in the appearance and manner
Of my friend.
Our first greeting and friendly inquiries
over, I longcd, yet forborc, to ask the
cause OF my friends melancholy l felt
sure, in due time, of being made the con-
fldant Of the secret, provided no motive of
delicacy prompted its conccalmcnt.
That evening in my room at the hotel,
George told me his story. He had formed
an attachment for a young lady, whose
graces of mind and person he portrayed
with all the fervor of lovers cloqucnce.
She had returned his affection, but her
father had opposed hia suit, having set his
heart On tho marriage of his daughter to
nephew Of his.
This nephew was n young surgeon, Of
pronlgate character, my friend assured me
but that may have been prejudicc-who
had long, but nsuccessfully, wooed his
cousin, to whom his offers wcro as rcpug-
nant as to her father they were acceptable.
Somo months since, Mr.. Parsons, the
young lady's father, had gone into Hamp-
shire on business, accompanied by his
nephew. At Southampton no was seized
with sudden illness, which terminated
fatally in three days.
On the day preceding his death he had
executed will (Which had since been duly
proved by the dcpositions Of tho attes:ing
witness), containing request that his
daughter, to whom lie left tho whole of his
estate, should accept the hand of his
nephew in marriage, coupled with the. pro-
vision that in case the latter offered, and
she refused within specified time to enter
into the proposed union, the whole estate
devised for the daughter should be forfeited
to the nephew. .l ... .
TO sacrifice her fortune to her hearts
choice would not have cost Julia Parsons
amoment's hesitation; and nothing could
have more delighted George Dickson than
80 fair on opportunity of showing how
superior his devotion was to all throught
of personal advantage. But her fathers
dying request, in Julia's eyes, was sacred.
1t had surprised and startled her, it is true,
as in their conferences on tho subject hc
had never gone beyond tho most kindly re-
monstranccs, and had never limited at any
thing coercion.
Young Parsons, thcnephcw, had not the
magnanimity to forcgo his ungencrous adj
vantage. He might have been content
with his Cousins fortune alone, but his
right to that depended on his offer and her
rejection of an alliance which she felt In
conscience bound to acceptoi The brief sea-
son Of grace which she had been compelled
to beg even with tears had already nearly
passed, and o few more days would wit
ness the condemnation Of two lives to hope
less misery. f~A
At tho conclusion of my friends nara
tive In which, for reasons that may here
after be developed, felt q peculiar interest
Iprcvailed upon him to accompany me to
aplace Of amusement to which had pre-.
vior,sly procured tlckets % s,5iaf oa;a PW q.
When we reached; the theatre tho per-
formancs had already begun, but we sucl