Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-07-07

month more would not signify. But she
found it hard to make both ends meet, and
often went hungry to bed, that her mother
and Mrs. Clement might enjoy enough,
without there appearing to be Just
pattern. At Christmas, however, there
came a ray of sunlight for Della, in the
shape OF hundred-dollar bill from an un-
known friend.
ut can't be meant for me-" she cried.
'-It's directed to Della Rogerson." said
her mother: land there's nobody else of
that name, now that your Aunt Della is
dead
"Weare not sure she's Dead objected
Della
Horrors. Don't you know whether
your own aunt's dead or alive? % asked
Mrs. Clement in a shocked tone.
at isn't our fault, She is rich and lives
abroad. was named for her. l used to
look in the glass and try to believe I'd in
heriied her beauty with the name. though
she was only our great uncle's wife,
'.She ought to be doing something for
vou''
How can she, il she's dead? don't
blame her. any way. 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. I'll be bound"
II suppose should" said Della.
The winter wore away. as winters Will,
and the miracles of spring began in fields
and wavside; and Delia's boarders re-
turned with the June roses, and dropped
away again with the falling leaves, and
still Mrs Clement staid on and on. Just
now she had been tor some weeks in ar
rears with her reduced board. No money
had been forthcoming for some time, and
she was growing more feeble daily, need
ed the Injuries OF an invalid and the at
tentions of nurse, both Of which Della
bestowed upon her without taking thought
tor the morrow.
II must hear from my man OF business
tomorrow. Della. I'm knee deep in debt
TO vou.'' she began. one night.
Don't mention it ~ cried Della. I'D
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
hundred years or so since any one kissed
me.
And the next morning when Della car
ried up Mrs. Clements breakfast, her
boarder lay cold and still upon the pill
lows.
The first shock over. Della wrote d.
rectlv to the lawyer of whom she had
heard Mrs. Clement speak as having
charge of her affairs, Begging him to notify
that lady's relatives. if she had any. In
reply Mr.. Wills wrote:
The late Mrs. Clement appears to have
no near relative. 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 meantime. | enclose you Il copy of
her last will and testament, to peruse at
your leisure"
What interest does he think | take in
Mrs. Clements will?'' but read, never
theless:
Being of sound mind this 10th day of
June. is. |. Della RogersOn Clement. do
hereby leave one hundred dollars to each
of my cousins and bequeath the residue
of my property, viz: Thirty thousand
dollars iitvcsted in the Ingot Mining COM
panv. fifty thousand in United States bonds
twenty thousand in Fortune Flannel mills,
and my Jewels, to the beloved niece of my
first husband. John Rogerson.
DELLA RoGERsON,
'.Of CrOftsborough, Maine"
For was stranger, and We took me
in hungry, and We fed me-: sick and We
ministered unto me-.
Goodies alive" cried the neighbors.
when the facts reached their ears. .What
Il profitable thing it is to take boarders
Everybody in town will be trying it. OF
course Steve Langdon will come home
and marry her. lou may stick pin
there"
Della did not open her house to boarders
the next season. She found enough to do
in looking after her money and spending
it in replying to letters from INDECENT
people who seemed to increase alarming
" in receiving old friends, who suddenly
found time to remember her existence.
And sure enough, among the rest appear
ed Steve Langdon. and all the village
said
Il told you so.''
Its no fault of mine that you and l
are single yet, Della"
"And we are too old to think ola change
now. Steve
Nonsense It's never too late to mend.
I'm not rich. Della; but I've got enough
tor two and to spare"
IL wouldn't be contented not to drive
in nv carriage and have servants under
me now" laughed Della.
Indeed, Then perhaps you have a
better match in view? Capt. Seymour
asked me. by the way. if l had come to
interfere with Squire Jones INTEREST,""
Yes? Squire Jones proposed to me
last week.
Now. see here. Della. Have l come
all the way from Melbourne on 4 fools
errand. There was growing used to my
loneliness and misery, when the mail
brings me in letter in strange hand.
which tells me that my dear love. Della
RoCerson. loves and dreams of me still;
is poor and alone. and needs meme.
And the letter is signed by her aunt, Mrs.
Clement. who ought to know. | packed
nv household goods and came
I'm glad Won did"
I'm order that may congratulate Squire