Richland beacon., 1881-12-10
RAYVILLE LOUISIANA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER TO- 1881.

don't blame her, anyway. Her money
is her OWN to use according to her pleas
IRE. 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 di-
vide your last crust with her, LII be
| bolnd."
Il suppose 1 should" replied 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 fading
leaves, and still Mrs. Clement stayed on
and on. Just now she had been some
weeks IN arrears with her reduceo DOaru.
No money had been forthcoming for
some time, and she was growing more
feeble daily, needed the luxuries of an
invalid and the attention of q nurse,
both Of which Della bestowed upon
her, without taking thought of the
morrow.
- must hear from my man. n-of-b busi-
ness tomorrow, Della; I'm knee-decp
in debt to you," she began one night
Don't mention itI' cried Della.
I'D rather never see cent than have
YOU take it to heart. You are welcome
to stay and share pot-luck with Ills !;
you arc 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. It grows chilly. doesn't
it? You might kiss me just once, if
you wouldn't mind. It's q hundred
years or SO since any one kissed me-"
And next morning, when Della car
ried up Mrs. Clements breakfast. her
boarder lay cold and still upon her pill
lows.
The first shock over, Della wrote 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..
Willis wrote "The late Mrs. Clement
appears to have no near relatives.
Some distant cousins. who have an
I abundance of this worlds goods. yet
served her shabbily when she tested
their generosity as she tried yours, are
all that remain of her family. In the
meantime I inclose you copy of her
last will and testament. to pcruse at
your leisure"
what interest does he think 1 take
in Mrs. Clements will ?" tb ought Della; j.;
but she read, nevertheless
Being of sound mind, this 18th day Of June,
| ls-, !, Della Rogerson Clement, do hereby
leave 800 to each Of my cousins; and be-
queath the residue Of my property-viz.: $780,
900 invested i'll the Ingot Mining Company,
$4,000 in United States bonds, s20, ,0o0 in the
Perfume Flannel Mills, and my jewels-to the
beloved niece of my frs. husband, John Roger.
|
| "For was stranger and We took me in
hungry, and We fed me sick, and ye mi~is-
| tered unto me-"
Goodness alive I" cried the neigh
bors, when the facts reached their ears.
"What a profitable thing it is to take
boarders Everybody in town will be
trying it. Of course Steve Langdon
will come and marry her if she were for
ty old maids. You may stick a pin in
therer
Della did not open her house to board
ers the next season. She found enough
to do in looking after her money and
spending it; in replying trletters from
INDECENT people. who seemed to increase
alarmingly; in receiving old friends, who
suddenly found time to remember her
existence. And, sure enough, among
the rest appeared Steve Langdcn. and
all the village said, 81 told you So"
Its not my fault that you and are
single yet. Della" he said.
"And we are too old to think of it
now, Steve"
"Nonsense It's never too late to
mend. I'm not rich, Della, but I've
enough for two and to spare"
II wouldn't be contented not to drive
in my carriage and have servants under
me now," laughed Della.
Indeed! Then perhaps you have .
better match in view. Capt. Seymour
asked me, by the way, if had como to
interfere with Squire Jones' interest"
Eyes. Squire Jones proposed to me
last week."
"Now, see here, Della. Have come
all the way from Melbourne on FOOLS
errand? There 1 was growing used to
my misery and loneliness, when the
mail brings in a letter in a strange
hand, which tells me that my dear love,
Della Rogerson. loves and dreams of me
still, is poor and alone and needs me-
me And the letter is signed by heI