The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-05-07
An Unexpected Request.

An Unexpected Bequest.
A bright fireside, with fender and fire.
/ .ons shining like go'd, windows hung with
,rnpery of Turkey red, walls OF crimson
flock paper, starred over with gold, and a
little walnut stand of books opposite
Milford's parlor was cabinet gem IN its
way. Not that the Milford's were rich
On the contrary, Merton Milford was a
bank clerk, on a salary 80 small that IL
sometimes became an almost insolvaDle
uroblem to make both ends meet.
Almost, we say, but never quite; for
Lucy Milford had learned the lesson OF
household economy, and it was her pride
to be able to say that they had never been
in debt. Yet Lucy had Il woman's taste
and womans cravings after the beautiful
and the costly;and on this special evening,
as she sat by the fire leaning one cheek on
her hand, her foot mechanically agitating
the rocker of her baby's cradle, she was
thinking of the possible-the unattainable.
IF we were only rich thought Lucy as
she gazed across the room, how l would
like Persian patterned carpet, instead OF
this staring red and green ingram. And
little oil painting, or bunch of water.
colorcd flowers over the table, where the
map of the city hangs now. And then
could afford Valencienncs cap for the
- baby, and a real ponson silk for myself,
and l could surprise Merton with half
= dozen silk handkerchiefs, and would send
papa a new mccrschaun, real sea-foam,
with All amber mouth-piece and odd cary.
ings on the bowl, aud mamma should hav Y
an Indian -bordered shawl, and
Bang went the front door. Tramp,
tramp, came a wcll-known footstep along
the hall, with just enough pause to fling
the hat carelessly On the little circlet Of
pegs, which IN that unpretentious house.
hold took the place of handicapped,
mirror backed hall rack.
sIt's Merton, said Mrs. Milford, starting
mp; and Merton it was.
Halo, Puss,' said Merton, coming in,
flushed and breathlcss. And how is the
little kitteR2
kitty is wel,' said Mrs. Milford. Shall
| order tea, dear9'
Yes
The little maid d-servant-Lucy Milford
only kept one-brought in the urn, and
when she had tip-toed out again. Mrs.
Milford lookedi her husband in the face.
'Merton,' said she, something has hap
pencd. can read it in yonr eyes. What
is lt2'
what little fortune-teller you are, to
be sure, said he. Yes. something has
happened. Ivqngot a telegram from
Fortley, and old uncle Jesse Is dying.
Uncle JESSE the rich old miser. And
Writ informs me that his last will made in
n fit OF pique against the directors of the
Fortley Orphan Asylum, leaves everything
to u.s.
"To us, Merton3'
Lucy drew her breath with little gasp
ing sound.
why, it must be half million Of
money!
That, at least, We shall be rich people,
Puss.'
tOh' Merton, it scarcely seems possible
It's like dream
It's dream with pretty solid vein of
reality running through it, you'll find, my
dear, said the husband.
'And just before you came in, was
sitting here and thinking what would do,
and how l would ornament my home if
only we were rich' cried Lucy, clapping
her hands.
Mr. Milford pinchcd her check, and
laughed complaccntly. Evidently he was
in the best o. humor.
'Haf million, Lucyl' SAID he. you
shall have set of diamonds that will rival
those of Mrs. Merriwcll, the bankers wife,
and real CO ,hmere shawl. Aud I'll order
pony phaeton for your own driving, and
you
But we shall buy country place, shan't
we, Merton2' wlstfully asked Lucy, the
soft carminc shadows deepening over hel
cheek.
"A country place! What for9' said
Merton, little contemptuously. What on
Garth should we bury ourselves in the
country for, when we can buy place at
the West End, and surround ourselves with
all the refinements Of city life9'
A shade of disappointment came over
Luoy's face.
'Oh, Merton, I have always dreamed OF