The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-03-12

he told her what Aunt Martha had
said in the morning, and they had
COED laugh over the old lady's
plans.
Il didn't tell her that | was en-
gagged to be married." said John.
But | am. | don't mind telling
you. Ruth, and I'll show you my
girls picture"
And Ruth repaid his confidence
by telling him about Rodney
Il declare, it's almost too bad to
disappoint her so. after ALL he said
laughingly. "But don't feel quite
willing to give up my own plans for
hers, and see you don't. I'm afraid
she'll be disappointed, but don't
see how we can be blamed"
I'VE ought not to, said Ruth. 81
like you well, but l like Rodney
better-in different way, you
know, and | rather think | will run
the risk of Aunt Martha's displeas-
ure and take the consequences, be
they what they may"
Aunt Martha seemed to have sat
isfied herself that there was no use
in trying to do anything more about
carrying out her pet project. She
never mentioned it to Ruth again.
When Ruth went home her aunt
kissed hsr after the same grim fash
ion of her welcome, and told her she
should expect to see her again next
summer, if nothing happened.
Something did happen, something
that will happen to all of US, sooner
or later
Aunt Martha had not expected to
90 so soon, and none of her relatives
had thought of her dying for years
to come. But the call came for her
suddenly, and she went away in the,
darkness OF winter night, and
there was no coming back from a
journey like hers.
Ruth and her mother went to the
funeral. They went out of respect
for the dead, and not because they
expected that she had even rsmem-
bered them IN her will.
But when the funeral was over,
the lawyer invited them to tarry till
the will was read. She had request
ed that such OF her relatives as at
tended her funeral should listen 10
her last will aud testament.
To her nephew. John Hunt, she
bequeathed the sum OF thirty thou
sand dollars. To her niece, Ruth
Gerrish, she gave her Bible with all
therein contained. This was the
sum and substance Of the document.
Ruth took her legacy, which &as
found in Aunt Martha's room, Sc
cursly tied up. with Ruth Geerish"
written on ii, as the will had stated,
and they went back home.
Lucy and her daughter were in
dignant and disgusted, and they did
not hesitate to say so, as they left the
quiet little village behind them.
Il wouldn't have touched the old
Bible" said Aunt Lucy to Ruth.
If she couldn't give me nothing
better than that | would never have
taken the trouble to bringit away"
| Il did not expect even that" an
tswered Ruth. Aunt Martha was
under no obligation to remember me
in any way"
But to think of a woman who
has thirty thousand dollars to give
away, and does not give one cent to
her sisters, whom small sum would
help great deal. but gives it all to
nephew, who really does not need it
It's shame" declared Lucy. Mar
tha was always bound to be contra
ry, and | believe she hated her own
flesh and blood. / wouldn't be un-
christian enough to let an old grudge
keep me from doing my duty, l
think"
"Martha's money was her own, to
do as she pleased with" said Mrs.
Gerrish. I'm sure | didn't want
it.
Il wonder who has the home
stead p asked Lucy, suddenly. The
thirty thousand left to John was in
bonds and notes. Nothing was said
abeut the place l hadn't thought
of that before. Perhaps it was sold
TO some one before her death
Quite likely" said Mrs. Gerrish.
That night Rodney Craig came to
see them. and Ruth told him of her
legacy.
Il have not opened it yet" she
said. Hold it on your knee, Rod
ney, while | unite the string"
She removed the wrapper, and
Rodney removed the old and time
stained book. As he turnsd the
pages something fluttered to the
tioOr-a paper written over in a
quaint, stiff hand, as if by one not
much used to handling the pen.
Ruth picked it up and read
Ny DEAR NIECE RUTH II be-
lieve the woman who is true to the
man she loves, when he is poor, and
hasn't but one arm, is an honor to
her sex. If you had been willing to
marry John and given up your low
er, should have despised you. As
it is respect you, and as a token of
my respect. give you this old Bible.
and all you will find in it, and pray
you will be as happy as you deserve
TO be. God bless YOU and yours is
nay earnest wish.
MARTHA FIELDING"
Then, of course Ruth bad to ex-
plain to Rodney what the allusions
in the letter meant. How his ewes
shown when be knew the sacrifice
she had made for his sake. And he
began to say something about it, in |
broken voice.
She stonped him.
Il made no sacrifice at all" she /
said. Il didn't do it for your sake
i did it for loves sake"
The Bible slipped from his knee
to the floor as be put out his arm to
draw her close 10 him As it did SO,
some folded papers slipped out from
between the pages.
He picked them uD to replace
them.
"What are they ?" asked Ruth.
.'IIet me look at them"