Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-07-07
VOL. 75.-3S47. NO. 80.
"We're not sure she's dead" objected

Della.
" Horrors Don't you know whether YOUR
aunt is dead or alive 2" asked Mrs. Clement,
in shocked tone.
I" 1t isn't our fault. She is rich and lives
abroad. / was named for her. used to
look in the glass and try to believe I'd in
herit her beauty with her name, though she
was only our great uncle's WIFE"
"She ought to be doing something for
you"
How can she, if she is dead / don't
blame her, anyway. Her money is her own
to use according to her pleasure. Uncle
John made it himself and gave it TO her.
But if she should come back TO you,
having run through with it, you'd divide
your last crust with her, III be bound"
| suppose | should" said Della.
The winter wore away, as winters will,
and the miracles of spring began in fields
and wayside, and Delia's boarders returned
with the June roses and dropped away again
with the falling leaves, and still Mrs. Glenn
ent stayed on and on. Just now she had been
for some weeks in arrears with her reduced
board. No money had been forthcoming
for some time, and she was growing more
feeble daily, needed the luxuries of an in
valid and the attention of nurse, both of
which Della bestowed upon her, without
| taking thought for the morrow.
81 must hear from my man-of business to-
morrow, Della. I'm knee-deep in debt to
you" She began, one night. Don't men,
| tion it," cried Della. ard rather never see
| a cent of it than have you take it to heart
You're welcome to stay and share pot-luck
with us; you're such company for mother
| and me-"
"Thank you, my dear. I've grown as fond
| of you as if you were my own flesh and blood.
There, turn down the light, please. Draw
the curtain, dear, and put another stick on
the fire, please. 1t grows chilly, doesn't it ?
| You might kiss me, Just once, if you
wouldn't mind. It's one hundred years or
so since any one kissed me-"
| And the next morning, when Della carried
up Mrs. Clements breakfast, her boarder
lay cold and still upon the pillows. The
| first shock over, Della wrote directly to the
| lawyer of whom she had heard Mrs Glenn.
ent speak as having charge of her affairs,
begging him to notify that lady's relatives if
she had any. In reply, Mr.. Willis wrote
/" The late Mrs. Clement appears to have no
near relatives. Some distant cousins, who,
having an abundance of this worlds goods,
yet served her shabbily when she tested
their generosity, as she has tried yours, are
all that remain of her family. In the mean
time | enclose you copy of her last will
and testament, to peruse at your leisure"
"What interest does he think take in
Mrs. Clements will" thought Della, but
read, nevertheless
Della Rogerson Clement do hereby leave one hundred dol
to Of my V anS pa aRees e Se IN s Ss
ngot mining company nifty thousand in the United States
my Jewels the beloved niece of my first husband John
Rogerson. DELLA RoGRRsos Of Croftsborough, Maine.
fed me; sick, and ye mnistered unto me-"
Goodness alive p cried the neighbors,
when the facts reached their ears "What
profitable thing it is to take boarders. Every
body in town will be trying it. OF course
Steve Langdon will come home and marry
her, if she were forty old maids. You may
stick pin in there"
Della did not open her house to boarders
the next season. She found enough to do
in looking after money and spending it, in
replying to letters from INDECENT people,
which seemed to increase alarmingly, in re-
ceiving old friends, who suddenly found
time to remember her existence. And, sure
enough, among, the rest appeared Steve
Langdon, and all the village said, " told
you sol"
at is not my fault that you and l are sim
gle yet, Della" he said.
"And we are too old to think of a change
now, Steve"
"Nonsensel It's never too late to mend.
Pm not rich, Della; but I've enough for
two and to spare"
81 wouldn't be contented not to drive in
: my carriage and have servants under me
i now," laughed Della.
a "Indeed ? Then perhaps you have a bet
: ter match in view. Captain Seymour asked
/ me, by the way, if l had come to interfere
y with Squire Jones' interest
t "Yes. Squire Jones proposed to me last
q week"
r snow, see here, Della. Have | come all
. the way from Melbourne on a FOOLS errand ?
/ There was growing used to my misery and
/ loneliness when the mail brings me in let
a ter in strange hand, which tells me that
q my dear love, Della Rogerson, loves and
3 dreams of me still, is poor and alone, and
needs me-mel And the letter is signed by
!. her aunt, Mrs. Clement, who ought to know
|. packed my household goods and came
: "Pm glad you did"
' ain order that may congratulate Squire
. Jones'"
$ "But haven't accepted him. In fact I've
r refused him, because"
y "Because you will marry your old love
Z like the lass in the song, Della !"
h In Croftsborough people are not yet tired
{ of telling how woman made money taking