The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-04-01
MY WIFE'S INHERITANCE.
In Three Chapters.
CHAPTER I.
THE INHERITANCE.

had passed away in the night, full of
years and honor--passed away so calmly
aud peacefully, that even the nurse
could not tell at what precise hour the
spirit had left the worn-out body.
. l am, or rather was, a village doctor.
At the time of which l write, was
about six and twenty years of age, and
three years previously had bought a
a practice in the village of Gotham. 1t
was not large village; but being only
about FIVE miles from the Important sea-
port Of Kinton, it could boast of good
many somewhat pretentious villa resi-
dences. These were inhabited, some by
merchants Of Kihton, who travelled to
and fro morning and. evening. others by
men who had ceased tof take an active
part in business, and had retired to the
country to enjoy wellearned repose.
To this latter class belonged the Mr..
Charles Russell whose death / have Just
recorded. To. small inherited COM
petence he had added the savings of a
successful professional career, and retir-
ing to Cottam,. had bought small man
sion on the outskirts of the village, called
"The Willows" "Wills" the country
peopIe:got to call it, referring-with a
vague idea Of wit, to the proprietor's pre-
vious fame as conveyancer and maker
Of wills. Mr.. Russell had. never been
married, but had adopted the orphan
daughter of his sister. Ellen Saunders
at the time of my story was about twen-
ty-one years Of age.
It was not until had been two years
at Cottam that was introduced to Mr..
Russell. During this time he had more
than once required professional attend
ance, but had always sent for the family
doctor from Kinton. One day, however,
servant came in haste for me to 60 to
the Willows; "for," said she, "master
has fell and broke his Leg" Of course,
I went immediately; but fortunately
found matters not SO bad as represented.
Mr.. Russell had been walking in the gar
den, as was his wont, when he accident
ally stepped sideways upon a stone, and
his ankle twisting, he fell heavily for
ward. The result was very severe
sprain, aggravated by the age and weight
Of the sufferer. I soon had the boot of,
and applied the usual remedies; and be-
fore I left he was very much easier. On
my next visit he was still better; but 7
forbade him to use it in any way. Day
by day called, and each day found him
improving, although he chafed consider
ably at the confinement, as he missed his
usual walks. Gradually he began to
talk of other matters-politics, literature,
ETC.; found him to be an unusually we'll
read man, and as reading had always
been one Of my chief delights, we got on
very we'll together. Mutual esteem
quickly ripened into mutual friendship;
and at length I was invited to visit him
one evening, an invition Of which I was
not slow to take advantage. When l
arrived, found him sitting in an easy
chair, with his foot on the leg-rest; for
as yet he was unable to get about. Be-
side him was small chess-table, with
the men all in their places.
~ was just about" he observed, ITO
have game Of chess with my niece; but
she has been called away for a little
while. By the by, do you play~
"A little" answered; the fact being
chat chess used to be favorite game Of
mine; but not having played for years, I
was somewhat doubtful of my powers,
and, therefore, answered cautiously. "A
little--not much"
"Do you mind playing with me? 1t
would be quite charity, assure you,
for I am heartily weary of sitting here
alone" ,5f.
"1 will try with pleasure replied;
and with that we commenced.
soon found that, good player as I
was, he was slightly better; and at the
end of the evening he had two games
ahead. This put him in great good
humor, especially as his niece, who had
now Joined us, had witnessed the old
gentleman's victory.
"There is some satisfaction" he was
pleased to say, "in playing with you, as
you are difficult 10 beat. sometimes
play with Ellen here, but it is almost
like playing with the right hand against
the left, where all schemes originate in
the same mind. know all her moves
almost before she takes them. She al
ways opens in the same way, and hardly
ever originates fresh attack"
"Well, uncle dear, you can not expect
ne to be as deep as you are. You know
you often used to say: Girls never can
reason"
Hitherto I have hardly mentioned
Ellen Saunders, although I had often
seen her. Perhaps some Of my readers
would like full description of her, the
color Of her hair and eyes, the shape of
/ her nose and ears. If 80, ! am afraid I
must disappoint them. l really can not
describe her; and yet in my eyes she was
one of the most beautiful creatures ! had
ever seen. i say in my eyes. Perhaps
In yours, dear reader, she would not have
appeared 50; it depends on your taste
and sex. ], however, have no doubt at
al on the matter.
Well, that first evening at chess was
followed by good many more. Two or
three times a week would find my way
10 the Willows, and always received a