The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-01-14
The Cranberry Swamp.

"Of course" said young Doctor Ded-
ling, "a man has his own fortune to
look to-"
"Of course" said Judith Gley; and
as she spoke the words cold chill
seemed to creep, like slowly congealing
ice, around her whole heart.
IF you had consulted me rs to your
affairs" went on the young man, in
stead of taking this very extraordinary
sep, entirely without advice or coun-
sell"
"Yes, know" hurricdly interposed
judith; "but it's over and past now, so
perhaps we lad better not talk about
It."
The rcd winter sunset was blazing
with sullen fire above the cedar copsc
in the west, the leafless woods held up
their black arms in a sort Of wrestling
agony toward the sky rs the bleak wind
tossed them to and fro, and Il solitary
raven uttered his ominous croak in the
woods ut the back of the house.
Dr.. Dedling shuddered as he looked
around him and glanced out toward the
drcary swamp that extended toward the
east.
such p place." said he, "for
woman to elect to live in."
1T isn't very cheerful" said Judith:
"but I've lived here all my life, you
know"
''The more reason for wanting to get
out of it now," said the doctor, impa-
tient.y.
Judith was silent. She looked ut the
blazing logs on the old-fashioned hearth
and tried to keep back the fast-rising
tears.
Doctor Dcdling rose and took up his
hat.
"Then am to consider that our en-
gagementis quite at an end?" sud the
doctor
YES" "said Judith.
Il shall always wish saidyou well"
the doctor. affably.
L thank YOU" said Judith.
Goodbye" said Doctor Dedling.
"Good-bye," responded Judith.
The next moment size was alone with
the blazing logs and the cricket chirp.
ing on the hearth, and the strange
weird shadows that came and went on
the wainscotcd walls.
1t was month tonight since they
had buried old Miles Grey out of sight.
Little judith, who had worn herself out
in taking care of him, had dropped few
sincere tears on the cheap coffin that en-
cascd his remains, but no one else had
seemed particularly to grieve.
Mrs. PytChley, her eldest sister, who
boldly declared that it was high time
the old man took himself off the stage
of this world, and had made no secret
other disappointment when it was dis.
covered that thousand dollars in gold
pieces represented all lis boarded
wealth; with the exception OF the
cranberry swamp, upon whose dreary
verge stood the house, and this dreary
property by the terms of the will was to
be divided between his two nieces,
Judith Grey and Maria Pytchley, rs
they themselves might agree
"I'lltake the ready money" said Mrs.
Pytchley, hastily. What could l do
with three or four miles of cranberry
swamp"
cor what could Judith do with it,
either9" said Hobart Prytchley, who
sat whiting beside the fire.
Il dare say she could manage very
nicely" said Maria. 1--we hesrd Uncle
Miles say that he sold sixty dollars
worth Of cranoerries4 one year out of
that swamp"
"Humphw grunted Mr.. Pytchley.
And that's legal interest on 4 thou
sand dollars, you know" added his
wife. II" What do you say. Judith"
1T makes no difference to me-" said
Judith. quietly.
1T does to me them" said Mrs.
Pytchley. Because, as you know very
wen Hobart's business is in the city,
and we can do nothing at all with Il lot
of swampy land. down here in the back
woods.
So Mrs. Pytchley had taken the lions
share of the old mans bequest, and gone
back to her city home, over Hobart's
grocery store; and young Doctor Ded-
ling who hid confidently calculated on
at least five hundred dollars, to buy
surgical instruments and fit up an office
in the village adjoining-fve hundred
dollars as the dowry of his bride-e elect
broke his engagement in a tit of pique
that Judith should have so deliberately
flung her fortune away.
"a set of harpiesm cried he, with dis
z gust. -. -, .,..,
coloring up. "You forget that you arc
speaking Of my sister and her husband" "
But they had no business to impose
on you thus" exclaimed the doctor, i'm
patiently.
Il agreed to the plan, without re-
monstrances."
Doctor Dedling gave shrug to his
shoulders.
I'm that" said he, sharply, you
,h ro,,, 1ool- of cop,rp0n cpOsni III
you had no regard for yourself, you
might have had some for me-"
''Was it for money you wanted me?'
demanded Judith, stung to the very
quick.
Doctor Dedling colored high and hest
tated.
"A man must take monetary matters
into consideration" said he.
l11z l., lo Ia ~