Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-06-04
In the Cleaning.


Godfrey Hill. Remember who and
what he is
These were the words over whicf
Alice Hill pondored as she walked
slowly through the grove at Bellows
Falls. 1t was her lavorito walk, wher
she wished for solitude; though 1t lay
ot same distance from her home, th'
stately house that crowned an incline
stretch Of ground overlooking the
village.
Remember who and what he is!
Mrs. Hill had said these words very
slowly, and with due emphasis only
few hours before, when Alice had rea'
TO her letter, in which Godfrey Hi
had asked her to be his wife.
Who was he, then He was th'
second cousin Of Alice, man Of about
q. who had been brought up by hl'
grandfather IN the house upon Bellows
Height, and had supposed his inheri
tauce ofhouse and fortune assured.
Alice and her widowed mother haC
never entered the stately house while
Old Mr.. Hinliycd, but had supported
themselves By keeping a school iol
young children, after Godrcy's cousin
AAcc's father. lad died.
1t had never crossed their widest
Imagination that the old gentleman al
Bellows Falls would remember them
by even a triA.ng legacy, and they
were inclined to think they were the
victims Of praciica! joke, when they
received the lawyers letter informing
them that Alice was the heiresss Of the
entire estate ofJohn Hill. Of Bellows
Falls.
1t was Ike dream, to come to tho
splendid home, to know there were &c
be no more weary struggles for daily
bread. TO wander through magnificent
rooms and extensive grounds with thC
deliciously novel sensation of owner
ship.
Aud it must be confessed That Alice
at first thought but little Of the dis
possessed heir.
But he introduced himself soon as
cousin, and visited the house as
welcome guest.
For. in answer 20 the second CLAUSE
Of Mrs. HIPS question, what was he
Alice could have answered truly that h'
was tie most fascinating man she ha'
ever seen.
And Alice Hill, though a brca'
winner in the busy world, had moved il
good society, having aristocratic iamil,
connections both on her fathers ant
mothers SIDE.
She was no novice to be won by
merely courly manner, but she ha'
never met man whose intellect wa
so bead, whose courtesy was so win
ming, whose face was so handsome a
those OF Godfrey Hill.
And yet there was a letter III he
writing desk, written by the dead maj
whose hciress she was, warning her tia
because he is unworthy, because he ha
has betrayed the trustI put in him,
have disinheritcd Godfrey HILL
There was no specific charge, n'
direct accusation, but the youug heires
was warned against her cousin.
Yet. in the many long conversation
the two had held together Godlre
| Hill had cndeayored to convince hi
far cousin that his grandfather had bee
influenced by false friends to believ
statements to his discredit utterly un
true.
He had also convinced her that i
was an innocent victim to unlortunat
circumstances, victim to mistake
sense Of honor.
She was young, naturally trustiul, al
her heart was free; so it was n
wonderful that Alice Hill was incline
TO restore the dlsinherited man to l.
estate by accepting the offer Of h
heart and hand. Absorbed in h
reflections, Alice did not notice thi
clouds were gathering, till a SUNNI
shower broke with violence above q
tree tops.
The rain came through the bra nch
suddenly, drencbing through her thi
black dress, and she ran quickly to Il
nearest house for shelter.
The nearest refuge proved TO be Il
cottage where Mrs. Mason, who did Il
washing for the great house. lived WI
her daughter, Lizzie, one ofthc villas
beauties.
There was great buslling about VIII
Alice presented herself at the door.
Mercy sakes! You're half drowned
the old woman cried, hurrying her u
-. expected guest TO the kitchen fire.
You're wet to the SKIN, dearie. No
amt it a blessing there's a who
washing in the basket TO 90 home: \
y can 20 into Lizzle's room and chan
your clothes, and III DO ~ them you
got on. Dear, dearl Your hat Is j
ruined-crape won't bear wetting-a
:, you've no shawl. You must just |
on a dress OF Lizzie's TO go home in'
It's nearly dark, anyway
=, .xvIoro IL 7 .izzip y A lice asked.