Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-28
AUNT PRISCILLA'S GREEN SILK.

"And to my niece, Arabella Stewart,
give and bequeath the green silk dress
which has been in my possession for the
last five-and-twenty years"
The old lawyer, who was reading the
will OF the late deceased to the assem-
bled relatives, came to an abrupt pause,
and glanced over his gold spectacles
with mischievous twinkle in his ewes.
"Stingy old thingw
Miss Stewards vinegary face took on
more acid expression than usual she
drew herself up to fearfully erect at
titude, and glared around the room with
baffied fury in her ferret like eyes.
"Stingy old thing" she reiterated.
"to treat me so-the best friend she
ever had. I've waited on her dav and
night, toiled and shaved, and borne with
her caprices. Everybody knows she was
rich, and yet she dies and leaves me un-
provided for-me, poor and friendless
orphan girl-and wills all her money TO
charitable institutions. Then, not con
tent with that, she adds insult to injury
by bequeathing me that old green silk
Looks as If it had come ont of the ark"
Miss Aabella, the "friendless orphan
girl" of some thirty eight summers land
winters) dried her eyes-the tears had
not been shed for the loss of her only
relative, but for the loss Of the fortune
she had confidently expected to inherit
and seizing the unofFending garment,
would have tossed it upon the fire which
blazed ard sparkled in the CRATE.
But slim little figure started for
ward, and pair of small hands caught
the antiquated green silk, while two
pleading blue eyes were turned upon
Miss Stewart.
"Oh, please, Cousin Arabella," cried
a sweet voice, half-choked by tears,
"please don't destroy Aunt Priscilla's
dress 1t seems a sacrilege. She's dead
and gone, and we ought to treat her
property with respect. Besides, she
left it to you, and you should"
She paused abruptly as Miss Arabel-
las hand came down upon her shoulder
with firm grip.
"Out of my sight !" shrieked the
irate spinster; you're always in the
way where you've no business to be,
Nellie Hunter. Since you think so
much of the dress it's pity she didn't
will it to you instead OF leaving you
nothing. You we're her niece Just as
much as I yet she forgot your very ex-
istence. Perhaps you'd better take the
dress-Fm sure l don't want it, and re-
fuse to claim IT,"
The old lawyer, who had witnessed
the entire scene with interest, smiled
slightly.
If Miss Nellie wishes the garment"
he remarked, blandly, II should advise
her to take IT,"
"She's welcome to itl snapped Ara
bella, savagely.
Nellie took the despised dress, and
began folding it carefully.
al thank you, Cousin Arabella ~ she
ventured, timidly.
"Well, you needn'tl I want no
body's thanks I've been living on
thanks all my life, and now would like
something more tangiblel"
Lawyer Wilder's dark eyes wore
slightly contemptuous look.
"Miss Stewart" he said, mildly, 81
should think you would have some ro-
collection Of past benefits. You have
lived with your aunt for ten years or
more, and during that time the entire
expense Of your maintenance has been
cheerfully borne by the good old lady.
And now that she has died, and left her
fortuna aIaawhara lhafn0 har owu aha