The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-15
CHAPTER XXXv.
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81 see no need Of unseemly haste ia
examining the will" said Mrs. Tirzah
Hardine. 81 never shall forget how
mortified I was over the will Of Father
Hardine; and the quarrels that grew
out OF it are a humiliation to me to this
day. What is your opinion about the
matter, Liza? ?1
81 have nothing 10 say" was the
strangely apathetic answer. "Do with
the whole business as seems best in your
sight can only think Of my mother
now. Poor dear, departed darling II
I only could have been near her at the
last Oh, why is it that this world is
so full Of disappointments aud sorrow?''
And for the first time the bereaved
daughter found vent in tears.
''Yonder comes Israel Sappington gi
exclaimed John Hardine. "He was one
Of the witnesses Of the will, and vel
have it read in his presence.
"Oh, don't n' cried Lie, upstarting
in an outburst Of grief "Let us think
Of something else to-day besides merce-
nary affairs"
John Hardine gazed at his sister Will
look so strangely like that Of his father
whenever sinister motives had stirred
him to action, that Lie was greatly
agitated. That look meant mischief,
and she knew it.
81 propose to hsve the will examined
non, so we may know at once just what
notion the crazy old woman had IN her
head" he said, with a significant grin.
i've known for the past ten years that
she wasn't right In her mind"
"For shame, John :" cried Sally
Ridgeway. "How can you speak like
this Of our mother, and she hardly yet
cold in her grave ?'
"Shut your head !1 was The ungra-
cious answer. "What do you know
about business, seeing you're only a
woman?n
Women know that disrespectful ut
tersnces in reference to ones mother are
not to be tolerated by surviving sisters,
even if the man who is so unprincipled
as to utter them is that mothers un-
grateful son and their own shameless
brother r' exclaimed Mrs. Peter Tubbs,
who had been suddenly aroused from
her apathetic state by her brothers.
words, and now came forward and con-
fronted him with flashing eyes and
blazing cheeks, her whole form quiver-
ing with indignation, grief and excite
ment.
There's method in the hussy's mad
ness, Judge" said John Hardine, who
still grinned significantly. Never you
mind 'Lize's tantrums. She Away:
was a wildcat. When you've once read
the will, you'll understand the motive
that induces her vehement defense Of O
crazy old woman, who was bedriddeu
and speechless at one time for years.
Let her rave. It won't alter the facts in
the case"
Israel Sappington was by this time in
their midst, witnessing a tumult Of half
smothered excitement that astonished
him. Dave, the superannuated oracle,
alone had the presence Of mind to offer
him a chair
"Alrs. Hardine left a will, as you
know, and have thought it advisable,
seeing all the family were now present,
to have the will read at once, that it
may be Immediately admitted to pro-
bate" said John Hardine, addressing
the visitor
"Where is the will 2'' was the quiet
response.
There, 10 mother private secretary" ,"
answered Tirzah, who had In late year.
been q warm friend Of her mother-in.
law.
But the key to a particular drawei
was missing, and, after an hours search
Judge Hardpan suggested breaking tn
lock, and John Hardine agreed TO tn
proposal.
ait seems such sacrilege," said Lie
"for the surviving children TO be 3
eager to enrich themselves at their dea
parents expense. Why couldn't W
walt? Maybe we'd find the key. Yo
all know that mother never could bea
to see anything broken or wasted. /
seems to me as though her silent protes
was in the very air"
"Observe, Judge Hardpan," said he
brother, with another significant grir
'that Lie is the only one OF US VIII
protests so much against this business
She has some sinister motive benin
Il all, Tll warrant. You'll understan
it before the reading Of the will
over"
al objected to the indecent haste wit
which you pOuneed upon my father
will, as all Of you who were present II
member. You also recollect that m
share in that great legacy was the ol
hand loom that now forms the frame {
q pig-sty in the back yard. 1 kno
there is a better fortune in store for u
in my mothers will, for Judge Hardpa
once told me so. But 1 feel awfoll
outraged over the haste we're 10 to 81
to quarreling over her hard-earned POI
sessions. know there will be quarre