Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-07-17
DIR. DEDLING'S MISTAKE.

IN. OLULlNU NiN a n IL.
"Of course" said young DR.. Ded-
ling, "a man has his own fortune to look
TO-"
"Of course" said Judith; and, as
ahe spoke the words, cold chill seemed
to creep, like slowly-congealin5 ice,
around her whole heart.
"H you had consulted me as to your
affair."" went on the young man, Gin
stead OF taking this extraordinary step,
entirely without advice or council"
eyes, KNOW" hurriedly interposed
Judith "but it's over and past now, SO
perhaps we had better not talk about it. Z"
The red winter sunset was blazing
with sullen fire above the cedar copse in
the west; the leafess woods held up
their black arms. in a sort of wrestling
agony toward the sky, as the bleak winds
tossed them to and fro, and solitary
raven uttered his ominous croak in the
woods at the back of the house.
DIR. Dedling shuddered as he looked
around him, and glanced out toward the
dreary swamp that extended toward the
east
"Such place" he said, "for . lady
to select to live in II
"It isn't very cheerful" said Judith.
"but l have lived here all my life, you
know"
"The more reason for wanting to get
out of it now," said the doctor, impa-
tiently.
Judith was silent. She looked at the
blazing logs in the old-fashioned hearth,
and tried to keep back the fast-rising
tears.
DR.. Dedling arose and took up his hat.
"Then am to consider that our en-
gagement is quite at an end2" said the
doctor.
eyes," said Judith, in very low tone.
"GOod-by !" said DIR. Dedling.
"Good-byw responded Judith.
The next moment she was alone with
the logs, and the crickets chirping on
tho hearth, and the strange, weird shad-
ows that came and went on the yainscot-
ted walls.
IL was Just month tonight since they
had buried old Miles Grey out of sight.
Little Judith, who had worn herself out
in taking care of him, lad dropped u
few tears on the cheap coffin that in
cased his remains, but 10 one else had
semed particularly to grieve.
Mrs. Pytchley, her eldest sister, who
was married to New York grocer, hal
boldly declared that it was high time the
old man took himself off the stage of
this world, and had made no secret of
her disappointment when il was dis
covered that 81, 900 in gold pieces repre-
sented all his boarded wealth, with the
~
whose dreary verge stood tie house and
this dreary property, by the terms of the
will, was to be divided between his two
nieces, Judith Gray and Martha Pytch-
Icy, as they themselves might agree.
"I'n take the ready money, said Mrs.
Pytchley, hastily. "What could l do
with three or four miles of cranberry
swamp"
"Or, what could Judith do with il,
either ?" said Hobart Pytchley, who sat
whiting pine stick beside the fire.
II dare say she could manage very
nicely" said Martha. I've heard Uncle
Miles say that he sold $50 worth OF cram
berries one year out Of the swamp"
"Humph! !" grunted Mr.. Pytchly.
"And that's legal interest on 81, 900,
you know" added his wife. "What do
you say, Judith"
"It makes no difference to me, said
Judith, quietly.
at does to me, then I" said Mrs.
Pytchley "because, Is you know very
we'll, Hobart's business. is in the city,
and We could do nothing at all with
lot of swamp land down here in the back
woods"
So Mrs. Pytchley had taken the lions
share of the old mans bequests and
gone back TO her city home, over Ho-
bart's grocery and young Dr.. Dedling,
who had confidently calculated on at
least $500, to buy surgical instruments
to Iit up an Office in the village adjoin-
ing-S5OO as the dowry OF his bride
elect-broke his engagement IN pique
that Judith should have 80 deliberately
flung her fortune away.
IA Get Of sharpers I" cried he, with
SStop, DR.. Dedlingl" said Judith,
colorine up. "You forget that You are
speakine of my sister and her husband"
"But they had no business to impose
on Won thus r. exclaimed tn. doctor.
IL agreed to the plan without remon-
STRANGE"
DR.. Dedling shrugged hie shoulders.
"In that" said he, sharply, "you
showed your lack Of sense II you had
no good regard for yourself, You might
have had some for me =" :
"Was il for my money you wanted
81" demanded Judith, stung to the
Dr. Dsdling colored and hesitated.
IA man must take monetary matters
i>Ao consideration" he said
Il