Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-06-28
AN UNEXPECTED BEQUEsT


with drapery of Turkey red, walls OF
crimson Aock paper, starred over with
gold, and little walnut stand OF books
epposite-Mrs. Milford's parlor was
cabinet gem in its way. Not that the
Nilford's we're rich. On the contrary,
Merton Milford was 4 bank clerk, on
salary so small that it sometimes became
an almost insolvable problem to make
both ends meet.
Almost, we say, but never quite for
Lucy Milford had learned the lesson Of
household economy, and it was her pride
10 be able to say that they had never been
in debt. Yet Lucy had woman's taste
and woman's cravings after the beauti
ful and the costly and on this special
evening, as she sat by the fire leaning one
cheek on her hand, her loot mechanical
ly agitating the rocker OF her bahy's era
die, she was thinking of the possible-the
unattainable.
If we were only rich,' thought Lucy
as she gazed across the room, how
would like Persian patterned carpet, in
stead of this staring red and green ingram.
And little oil painting, or a bunch of
ter-colored flowers over the table,
where the man of the city hangs now.
And then / could afford a Valenciennes
cap for the baby, and real ponson silk
for myself; and could surprise Merton
with half a dozen silk handkerchiefs. and
i would send papa new meerschum,
real sea foam, with an amber mouth>
piece and odd carvings on the bowl, and
mamma shonld have An Indian border
ed shawl, and
Bang went the front door. Tramp,
tramp, came a wel!-known footstep along
the hall, with just enough pause to fling
the hat carelessly on the little crclet of
pegs, which in that unprotentious house,
hold took the place of handicapped,
mirror-backed hall-rack.
Irs Merton said Mrs. Milford, start
ing up ; and Merton it was.
Halo, PGss, said Merton, coming in,
flushed and breathess. And how is the
little kitten ?"
Kitty Is well, said Mrs. Milford
Shall | order tea, dear ?"
Yes
The little maid servant-Lucy Milford |
only kept one-brought in the urn, and |
when she had tp-toed out again, Mrs.
Milford looked her husband in the face
Merton said she, something has hap
pened. / can read it in your eyes,
What is it p
What a little fortune-teller you are TO |
he sure,' said he. Yes. something has |
happened. I've got a telegram from
Fortley, and old uncle jesse is dying. |
Uncle Jesse, the rich old miser. And |
Writ informs me that his last will, made |
in fit of pique against tho directors OF
the Fortley Orphan Asylum, leaves every
thing TO us.'
To us, Merton p
Lucy drew her breath with a little gasp
ing sound.
Why, it must be half million of
money p
That, at least. We stall be rich peo-
pie, Puss.'
oh, Merton. It scarcely seems possible!
It's like dream
It's dream with pretty solid vein Of
reality running through it, you'll find,
my DEAR said the husband.
And just before you came in, was
sitting here and thinking what would
do, and how would ornament my homo
if only we we're rich !" cried Lucy, clap
ping her hands.
Mr.. Milford pinched her cheek, and
laughed complacsntly. Evidently be was
in the best of humor.
Half million, Lucy p salc he. you
shall have a set Of diamonds chat will ri.
val those of Mrs. Merriwell, the bankers
wife, and a real cashmere shawl. And
I'll order pony phaeton fof your own
driving, and you
But we shall buy a country place,
shsnt we, Merton p wistfully asked
Lucy, the soft carmine shadows deepen
ing over her cheek.
A country place ! What for p said
Merton, a little contemptuously. What
on earth should we bury ourselves in the
county for, when we can buy place at
the West End, and surround ourselves
with ali the refnements of city lifeP'
A shade of disappointment came over
Lucy's face.
'Oh. Merton. have always dreamed
OF house." sighed she.
with burglars and mildew and spiders
thrown in. eh =? Nonsense, my dear,
nonsense The city is the place to live
in.
And we can have papa and mamma to
live with us, can't we?'
'W-wel, don't know exactly about |
that said Milford, thoughtfully stroking
his moustache ; IN buy 'em snug little
place, II you say so my love but never
did believe in fathers and mother>in >laws
living with their children.
'Oh, Merton, how can you talk 70 y
cried Lucy in painfrl voice.
oh, Lucy, there's no use in sentiment
alizing on these points. retorted her hus.
band, little brusquely.
i don care to be rich If ! can U enjoy
the pleasures of money said Mrs. Mil
ford. pouting.
80 you may enjoy them if you only
will be reasonable about it,
And I've always thought so much of
having mamma with me-
Batter leave off thining it, then, said
Milford, lighting a cigar and leaning