The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-11-15
SELECTED SKETCH.
AUNT ELEANOR'S WILL.

cease"
murmur of surprise went round the
room as Lawyer Dent folded the formidable
looking document, and turned his keen,
gray eyes upon the assembled group, who
were gathered in the little, plain parlor, to
listen to the reading of Miss Eleanor Lang's
will.
6 That is all, he remarked, gravely. the
last will and testament of our good, old
friend, Miss Lang"
1T is infamous ~ cried Edmund Harring-
ton, springing to his feet, his dark eyes
flashing, his handsome face full of indigna-
ton.
" Rather decided expression, Mr.. Har-
rington," observed the old lawyer "You
might go further and fare worse than to
marty Bertha Lang. know her, and you
have never met her, Ell, have you?"
And he glanced searchingly into the per-
t,lrbed face of the young man.
No, sir aud what's more, do not wish
to. The truth is, Mr.. Dent, I am dis
appointed; will not deny it. Aunt Eleanor
has always represented herself to me as my
best friend. She il was who reared me from
my boyhood; l thank her, and shall always
revere her memory for her kindness to me-
Still, If she had never mentioned her inten-
ton of leaving me her money, would not
have expected it, or thought of such thing.
1t is very unfair, this will, and decline to
have anything to do with it."
+" Humphi young man, when you are as
old as am, and have seen as much of the
world you viii not be SO quick to refuse
fifty thousand dollars for mere whim. Gro
and call on Miss Bertha Lang She lives in
Lyell avenue, in the city of R. Go and
see her, my boy, and FL warrant you will
change your mind in reference to the mat
rimonial project"
II never will !" Edmund Harrington
I cried, earnestly. Listan, Mr. Dent L am
engaged to be married already"
"Ah, indeed Well, of course that alters
the case" said the old lawyer, rubbing his
white hands together briskly as he spoke,
"that alters the case, my boy, and am
exceedingly sorry, exceedingly Who is the
/ girl ?" he added, abruptly.
miss Mary Atherton," replied Edmund
g She also is from R, and has been visit
ing the Winchesters here, friends of mine,
you know. And the worst of it, the most
objectionable part is, that Aunt Eleanor
knew all along how matters were between
Miss Atherton and myself, and seemed any
thing but displeased. Though, of course,
had it been otherwise-that being q matter
! foty a,,f,; xvanl6
/ have made no difference to me-"
'Of course not" said the old lawyer,
grimly. And Edmund began to think what
disagreeable old man Mr.. Dent was getting
to be- $50 you are determined to refuse
6fty thousand dollars for the sake of the
other girl. eh, Edmund ?" the lawyer quer-
led, watching the young man earnestly,
meanwhile from under his bushy brows
at is to be hoped that your fair inamoratd
has fortune of her own, for you, believe,
possess little, since you madly persist in
throwing away your aunt's bequest."
Miss Anterior is as poor as l." returned
Edmund, with quiet dignity, "but l can
with energy and perseverance will be able to
increase it. She shall never regret her
choice, if can help it, Mr. Dent"
"Ahem!"
The old lawyer seemed to have All obstrue-
ton in his throat which required a great
amount of coughing to vanquish
And when at length he was restored to
quiet, it was only in time TO receive Ed
mund's adieu, and then the other legatees
departed, satisfied with their share
Miss Eleanor Lang, who had lived sin
maiden meditation, fancy free," and had
died at the mature age of seventy-fve, had
been the possessor of considerable fortune,
which, with the exception of few legacies
to friends and old servants, was ultimately
to become her nephew's.
He was noble, upright, honorable man,
and he had entertained no idea of depending
upon his aunt, or his great expectations.
He did not believe in waiting for dead mems
shoes or dead woman's either so he had
started, in modest way, as merchant,
and was doing quite well at the time of his
aunt's death.
And then to find the promised fortune
bequeathed to him, but with an uncomfort-
able appendage which he had not expected
Besides, he was engaged to the sweetest lit
| tie woman in the round world. He felt
justly indignant, and resolved to have moth
ing to do with anything which had belonged
to Eleanor Lang, spinster.
That very evening he went over to the
great, white house on the hill, where the
Winchesters lived, and where Miss Athertcn
had come for long visit And soon, stand
ing in her presence, slender, dark-eyed
girl, he was relating the story of his wrongs,
and his bitter disappointment.
"If ii were only myself, he added, clasp
ing the girls white hand as he spoke; "lI
were the only one concerned, Mary, would
not care much. But you, you'll have been
represented to you as Miss Lang's heir.
Mary what are you going to do with me ~
BE your wife, she answered promptly,
eff you-want me-"
His answer was q rather demonstratiye
one, and viii not attempt to elucidate.
So, when he had kissed sweet Mary good
night, and turned his face toward the little
room in the village hotel which he now call
ed his homo, he felt that he had chosen
wisely, chosen well, and really 1t was the
only choice possible to his nature
For what man would have deserted the
woman whom he loved, and to whom hs
was betrothed, for the sake of money!