The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-02-08

4chinesy; as she sped over road ant
river To- Magnolia.
II was ten years since Ella hat
made her last visit there with hel
mother. Her life until then had
been carefully cherished one, al
though she had never had possession
of money, Her mother had taught
music in large city, spending hei
summer vacations in Magnolia, and
eher income had been sufficient. to
give Ella every advantage 81 eduta.
hon and to make her childhood and
giFlhood very happy.
She was eighteen, when her moth.
Eer's death very sudden one
threw hsrsnpon her own resosrcesfor
I|shs aaily bread and after teaching
|liiiilsinsi0fa Saha taking Dor aaothsrls
pupils, she accepted the district
school at Greyton for the sake Of
country air, loving the life in the
country better than in the city.
Always busy, she had not been to
Magnolia since her mother died, al
though frequent letters were ex.
changed with Aunt Margaret. 1t
was pleasant to recognize all the
landmarks familiar to her childish
memories, when the yearly visit
with her mother was the pleasantes.
part Of her life.
But when Annie opened the door
of the little cottage home, saying
softly:
"ohj Miss Ella, dear, I'm glad you
have come. Your aunt's fretted sore
to see you," everything else was for.
gotten in the duty before her.
For the dear old aunt, who had al
ways loved her bright, pretty niece,
was i'll unto death, with a painful
illness that required incessant care.
Anne was nearly worn out by months
of faithful nursing, and Ella wrote
10 Harry:
"If you can spare me, dear, l am
sorely needed here. Aunt Margaret's
children are all dead, and her grand
children are none Of them here. I
have written to Gerald Cooper, the
eldest Of her sons children, to whom
her income returns if she dies, but
even if he comes on she will need
me-"
Itwas hard nursing, incessant care,
but Ella felt more than repaid by the
iihvalfd's gfatitude. Every service
was so fully appreciated, met with
such warm thanks, that it was a
pleasure to offer it.
"Dear child" the old lady said one
day, "you will soon be released, and
your good husband will be no worse
for an old woman's most hearty bless
ing. | cannot pay you, Ella, nor
leave him u fortune. Ihave nothing,
dear, but the few chairs and tables in
the house, but God will reward you
for your love and care to me-"
Days slipped into weeks, and weeks
into months, and it was nearly three
months later than the day she left
Creyton, when. Ella was free to re.
turn there, Gerald Cooper had been
with his grandmother u week before
she died, but no other relative had
come to Magnolia.
The funeral was over, and Ella
was alone in the little parlor, when
Mr.. Leigh, the lawyer who had been
Mrs. Cooper's friend for years, and
had known Ella from her infancy,
came in. In spite of the solemnity
Of the occasion there was twinkle
in his eyes as he said:
"Have you seen Gerard Cooper
since we left the cemetory?"
"No, he has not come home yet"
"Did you know your Aunt Marga-
ret left a will?"
"a will I thought she had no
property?"
"She owned nothing but her cloth
ing, and the furniture of this cot
tage. She has left all that to YOU"
$50 she told me. But it is of no
money value, is it?"
THAT remains to be seen. Now,
Nell, make me promise. Promise
me you will not accept any proposal
Of Gerard Cooper's without sending
him to me-"
Certainly" said Ella, rather be-
wildered.