Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-09-19
AUNT MARTHA'S CO-HEIRS
BY MILE MoNTROsE.

Nell rage glanced In alarm d the
clock she was late, and with = hur'
ried "Good.morning, Mira. Curtis, u
she ran down the stairs, intent only
upon reaching the store at the usual
time Of opening.
For Nell was one of the great army
Of working-girls who thronR our streets
morning and evening, making them
bright with their beauty, and musical
with the melody Of their young voices
At the foot of the stairs she en- counter
ed Walter Spencer, another Of Mrs. Cur
It's toarders. He held toward her let.
ter.
This has just arrived 1T is for you,
Miss Page" he said.
And At any other time Nell might
have wondered al the expression upon
his face, but just now her haste wa
too great to allow her even to glance .,
the superscription Of the letter, and with
Q hurried "Thank you, Mr.. Spencer
will you kindly signal that car for me?''
she u as gone.
Walter Spencer looked after her, the
puzzled expression deepening.
The letter was from HArtfield," he
| muttered. ~ could not choose but soc
that. And surely the writing was Aunt
Martha's. Yet, even II 1t should be so.
why should that surprise me? A
strange, close woman, who never spoke
Of friends or kindred yet IL 10 not un.
likely that she possesses both. And II
this young girl, with the frank and
pleasant ways, should be one Of the
latter Why, Walter Spencer, your
loss will be her gain, that's all, and you
will not be the one to grudge 1t to her. ="
And the next moment he had dis
missed the subject from his mind, for
weightier thoughts crowded In upon
him. The world owes every man q
living, it IL said. But 1t seemed to
young Spencer, just then, that the
world Was not very willing to pay its
debt to him. 1t was not until recently
that he had been obliged to consider
the great question of what his life work
should be. His home from childhood
had been one OF luxury; yet, dependent
rs he had been upon the favor of . rich
but somewhat eccentric benefactor, he
did not regret the fate which gave him
freedom OF action even while 1t made
him acquainted with poverty.
Meanwhile, Nell had succeeded In
reaching the store In good time but II
was not until noon that an opportunity
1
"From fairfield, "she said to herself
glancing at the postmark. Why, II
must be from papa's aunt Martha.
wonder what made her think Of writing
to me-" she continued, as she unfolded
tho single sheet Of note-paper tho envel
ope contained. and read as follows:
NIECE ELINoR Il have heard q
the death Of your father, and my nephew
although you did not see fit TO &C
quaint me with 1t yourself. However
l will overlook that, az 1t proves thai
you are not one Of those who are prone
to remind their rich relatives Of theil
existence. You are like your father,
have heard-I have been making in
quiries aboutyou, you see-independent
straightforward and honest ; thorough
ly honest In deed and speech was Ton
Page. But before make too sure o
this l want to know you. Can you &c
. vacation, and spend 1t with me? Blu
dom throw up your situation. / nigh
not like you. You zee 1 am candid
Don't make too many preparations
plain, old woman. / shall expect yol
will find the carriage waiting at tn
MARTHA TOwNsHEND.
Nell psndered over this strang
Iepistle the whole afternoon, hardl,
knowing whether to accept the invita-
ton 1t contained or not. At last th
hour arrived OF release from the dutie
Of the day, but before leaving the build
ing Nell sought the Office of Mr.. Doub
leday, the head of the firm.
Il Between this gentleman and Nell
, father there had been strong friend
ship, dating from their earliest youth
, and which had continued unbroken l
, spite of the formers greater prosperity
For some years previous to his deaf
Mr.. Page, having failed In business
had held position of trust In the fir
of Doubleday & Co., and when he died
Nell, his only remaining child, Will
refusing the offer of a homo with MI
Doubleday's family, had gladly availe
herself of the opportunity to earn he
Town livelihood BY becoming . clerk Il
the store of her fathers friend.
There WAS hearty Come In" In re
Spouse to Nell's little rap upon the dool
and Mr.. Doubledsy's face beamed wit
, q kindly smile as he saw who 1t was.
II "Ah, Nell" he said, have 20
como TO tell me that you will Accom-
Ipany me home tonight My wife an
Maud will be delighted"
"No. SIR" said Nell; " came TO as
you to advise me, II you will be kin
, enough to do 80. received this lette
o.day; will you read it, please, and to-
me what shall do about 1t 2"
III As Mr.. Doubleday read the letter, hi
face widened with an amused smtl'
He said:
az should advise you TO accept th
Z, Invitation at once, my dear"
II Should your" asked Nell, doub
fully.
II Certainly. She ia, 1 think, you
Ionly relative. l have heard your fatht
speak of her, sometimes. as very ric
I and somewhat eccentric. She eviden
Ily intends; If you please her, to make 20
v her heiress. Well, money Is . goo
:. Thing If rightly used, as you would uf
u it, / know. Go, my dear, by all mean
= and If you should want to come back
Iwhy, don't need to tell you, there
e always q place here for you you kno'
THAT already"
tIkind assurances, Nell promised I
~ follow the one and not to forget th
d other, and then, bidding him "goo
.leyening," withdrew.
e A few days later, when she stoo
before Miss Martha Townshend in tn
Idrnwin0 room o + the latter's handsom
It resideuCe in fairfield. she almost n
grettsd that she had not obeyed he
y first impulse to refuse her aunt's inv
+ Miss Martha was very old, but 1t wa
Isomething more than age-iL smpel