Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-08-31
.:Jhe 5stnry Tener.
JOHN 2REBMoND's INHERITANCE.


They were all assembled in the Study at the
old Grange TO hear the reading OF Gilbert
Redmond's will. His widow sat IN the large,
hiphabacked chair opposite the great square
window. ~ The sunlight fell on kind, sad
face. fun Of nnotherliness, though she had
never known the joys of maternity. Near her,
and leafing on the. mantelpiece, stood her
husbands nephew, John Redmond, q tall,
strong-built man Of thirty years, with kindly,
;.3rig}it, blue eyes, and sunny brown hair clus-
terfng over forehead as fair and smooth as a
maiden's. His battle with life had lett some
lines around the firm mouth. when IN MS
boyhood must have been singularly sweet,
though never effeminate.
- Seen now with that grave, set expression,
he gave one the impression of strong, true
manhood. But the power Of his face lay IN
his smile. It was irresistibly winning
- Seated at Mrs Redmond's knee was her
niece. Winnie Barton, the adopted daughter
Of the house. A slight, graceful girl OF eigh-
teen summers, she WAS a perfect picture OF
blonde beauty, reminding one forcibly in her
grief, of the sorrowful face OF Beatrice Cencl:
Her great brown eyes were full of tears, and
but for this she might have been carved IN
marble, so motionless was she.
With the addition of a dozen ola servants,
standing in sad and respectful silence at the
complete. They were awaiting the old family
LAWYER, Mr.. Weston, and dreary as the still
ness was. no one was in the mood to break it
Ten years ago, when Winnie was child,
and John Redmond a youth of twenty, his
uncle had endeavored to induce him TO give
up his scheme of entering medical college,
promising him a liberal allowance and to &C,
knowledge him as his heir. But John refused
to sacrifice his independence, and the uncle ana
1afQ rq
one side and command never again 10 enter
the Grange on the other.
eff YOU are sick or in trouble you will send
for me, uncle ?" asked the boy, wistfully, as
he turned from the stern old man.
But though he returned no answer the words
rang in his memory years after the brlght
young face had passed from the old mansion.
John Redmond won fame if not fortune
from the world which he had entered: A
year before he died, the old man sent for him,
and when he came could hardly trace IN the
bronzed, bearded man the boy he so we'll re-
membered But he was proud OF him and won
old Grange his home.
50 ''It will not be for long, John. The grave
will soon claim me, " he said.
And it was so. One short year and the rest
less heart was set at rest forever. Now for
the last time would he utter the wishes that had
always been as laws.
Steps were heard approaching, and in anoth-
er moment the lawyer was bowling gravely to
the family. Then without further introduce
tion, he read the will. Like most other ac-
tions of Gilbert Redmond'S life it was eccen-
trio. Toward the end he had conceived the
notion of marriage between John and VIM
ME- Although never limiting his reason to
the Young people he had contrived that they
should be much together. His property was
now to be equally divided between them in the
event of their union. If either of the parties
refused to comply with the conditions his or
her portion was to 60 to the other. In case
of both refusing the whole went to distant
cousin. With sundry small bequests to friends
and servants this was the substance OF the
will.
The lawyer, taking off his spectacles, ap-
preached Mrs. Redmond and commenced a
conversation with her in low key, kindly ao-
staining from noticing Winnie, who, with
burning cheeks, left the room as soon as posi-
bile. Johns face, too, was flushed, and his
manner tinged with embarrassment as he re-
piled to the few questions put to him ny his
aunt, who told him they would look for hls
answer in three days then he escaped to the
library with his friend, Percy Norton. There
we will leave him and follow Winnie to her
room.
On entering she flung herself into wide,
deep armchair near the window. The rays of
the setting sun touched the bowed, golden
head and fingered there, lighting it into still
brighter glory. Shame, resentment and wound
ed pride were struggling with the softer feel
ing in her heart. Kind as her uncle had always
been, how could he now be so inconsiderate.
How dared he fling her at any mans head, and
least of all at John Redmond's John, who
had been her hero ever since they had brought
her home, poor little motherless babe, and
his were the only arms in which she would
rest ! They had been firm friends ever since,
and the greatest sorrow and joy of her short
life had been his exile and return.
Perhaps whispered hope, he may love you,
and all will he right.
But the timid little voice was silenced as
memory brought back a host of actions, all
kind, but none lovelike. Long did she sit
there, and many a little scheme passed through
her head of stealing away into the world and
leaving John in possession of the fortune.
s'What is to be done must be done quickly" 4"
she said, cor he will be before me in the re-
fusal of the property and l must 60 away
and let him think me dead"
Then she rose, bathed her eyes, and stole
down to the garden. Her fayorite seat was
Just outside the library window, and it was
here she went just in time to hear Johns voice
saying:
er in cousinly fashion, but tell you, Percy,
under the circumstances, | never can and new
er will ask her to marry me and, poor, little
girl ! to save for her that money, must refuse
herr
Gathering her skirts around her, Winnie fled
noiselessy back to her room, but not this time
to think or weep She was cut to her heart,
for. all unknown to herself, she loved John
Redmond with the full strength of her Wo-
mans nature, and, wOmanlike, prepared to
sacrifice herself for the man she loved. For
an hour she busted herself in settling the con-
tents of the various drawers and boxes in the
room, making up some of the palmer articles
of clothing into a small bundle. She then sat
down, and, taking pen and paper, wrote the
following note:
DEAR AUNT LOUISE Ere you have read this
shall be wing under the dark waters of the rlv-
er Tell Mr. Weston absolutely refuse to com
ply with the terms Of my unce's will. could
not barrier greater than you know exists to
his desire. Try and think kindly of me, and tell
John not to think harshly OF his little sister.
WINNIE"
ut is better they should think me dead, u
she said. eff they knew my real intentions
they would never cease to seek for me-" Then,
STOPPING down, with foolishly tender thought,
she kissed Johns name where she had written
it, and, sealing the note, left it where they
would find it.
Putting on her hat and cloak she took down
from the shelf her pretty garden hat, and car
rying that and the bundle stole from the room
At the door she paused and looked back. She
had been so happy here-so happy But
sitting her sobS she fled down the old familiar