Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-07-06
MIS- cELLAREoUs.
THE CRANBERRY SWAMP,

":EEI oouises saiu young DOCTOR DedIlng,
"a man has his own fortune to look
to-"
"Of course" said Judith Gray; and as
she spoke the words, cold chill seemed to
creep, like slowly congealing ice, around her
whole heart.
"lf you had consulted me as to your af.
fairs, went on the young man, ..instead of
taking this very extraordinary step, entirely
without advice or counsel"
"Yes, | know" hurriedly interposed Ju-
dlth, "but it's over and past now, so per-
haps We had not better talk about it."
The rod winter sunset was blazing with
sulien FIRE above the cedar oopse in the west,
the leafless woods held up their black arms
in sort of wrestling agony toward the sky,
as tho bleak wind tossed them to and fro;
and solitary raven uttered his ominous
croak Ill the woods at the hack of the house.
DIR. Dedling shuddercd as he look ed
around him, and glanced out toward the
dreary swamp that extended toward the
east.
"such place" said he, "tor woman to
select to live in."
"but I've lived here all my life, you know"
"The more reason for wanting to get out
of it now" said the doctor, impatiently.
Judith was silent. She looking al the
blazing log On the old fashioned hearth, and
tried to keep back the fast rising tears.
Doctor Dedling rose and took up his hat.
'Then | am to consider that our engages
ment is quite at end?" said the doctor.
YES" said Judith, in a low tone.
81 shall always wish You WE'LL" said the
doctor nffably.
81 thank you!" said Judith.
"Good- -bye!" said Doctor Dedling.
"Good>bye!" responded Judith.
The next moment she was alone with the
logs, and the crickets chirping on the hearth
and the strange, wierd shadows that came
and went on the wainscoted walls
1t was just a mouth tonight since they
had buried old Miles Gray out of sight
Little Judith, who had worn herself out in
taking care of him, had dropped few sim
cere tears on the cheap coffin that encased
particularly to grieve.
married TO New York grocer, had boldly
declared that it was high time the old man
took himself off the stage of this world, and
made no secret of her disappointment when
it was discovered that 81 900 in gold pieces
represented all his boarded wealth. Upon
the dreary verge stood the house; and this
dreary property by the will was to be divi-
ded between his two nieces, Judith Gray
and Maria Pytchley, as they themselves
might agree.
"l'll take the ready money" said Mrs.
Pytchley, hastily. "What could do with
three or four miles of cranberry swamp"
"Or what could Judith do with It, eith>
err" said Hobart Pytchley, who sat whit,
ting a stick beside the fire.
II dare say she could manage very pice-
ly," said Maria. Il heard Uncle Miles saw
that he sold $50 worth of crauberries one
year out of the swamp"
"Humphw grunted Mr. PytcbIey.
"And that's legal interest on 1000, you
know" added his wife. What do Won saw.
Judith"
'1t makes no difference to me-" said In
dith, quietly.
cit does to me, then!' said Mrs. Pytch,
ley. "Becsuse, as you know very we'll.
dobart's business is in the city, and he
could do nothing a. all with lot Of ewampy
land down here in the backwoods."
So Mrs. Pytchley had taken the lions
share of the old mans beauest and gone
back to her city home over Hobarts grocery
store, and young DR.. Dedling, who had CON,
hdently calculated on at least $500 to buy
surgical instruments and fit up an Office in
the village adjoining $500 as the dowry of
his bride elect-broke his engagement in 4
Fl. of pique that Judith should have 80 de-
liberateiy flung her fortune away.
ga set of harpiesl" cried he in disgust.
"Stop, DR.. Dedling" said Judith, color
ing up. "You forget that you are speaking
of my sister and her husband"
'.But they bad no business to impose on
you thus" exclaimed the doctor.
II agreed to the plan without remon-
strauce."
Doctor DedIing shrugged his shoulders.
"In that" he said sharply. lyon showed
your lack of common sense! IF you had NO
good regard for yourself, you might have
had some for me-"
WAS ii for money you wanted ms7u de-
mauded Judith. stung to the quick.
Doctor Dedling oolored and hesitated.
"a man must take monetary matters into
consideration
And it came about that the engagement