Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1885-05-02

| y
from my husband, and James Kent,
knowing me to be a just woman,
expects a handsome legacy when |
die. Probably when he told Theo-
da he would be II rich man some
day, he did not fell the name ofthc
aunt who had the money 90 leave"
s"I never saw him. He came to
the seminary after | came here"
s"Exactly! He oispleased me! [
do not keep people near me who
displease me-"
Again that cutting emphasis of
tone. Estellc did not answer, and
Mrs. Wainwright spoke again.
~ expect, therefore, that You
will abandon this romantic scheme
ofreturnrng to Mill Village. There
are. asylnms where your aunt can
be received s.
.l.Not while Ican work for her,,
Estelle said very firmly.
s"Mrs. Pope writes that she will
probably sell her cottage and live
upon the price in some such place.
A hospital, probably"
P"Poor Aunt Mary. You will let
me go to herr"
81 do not p.etend to control yonr
movements" was the reply, in q
cold voice. "When took you
from a life Of poverty and toll, to
take your place here as my niece
and heiress, expected to have II
loving, grateful companion. Since
have beer mistaken, y0n can
leave me whenever you desire it.
Only | wish it understood that you
choose between vour Aunt Mary
and myself, finally
EStelle's eyes were full of tears,
bit she controlled her voice, by a
strong effort, to say:
81 am not un@rateful, Aunt Cora,
though | never considered myself,
your heiresS. thank you from my
heart, and if ou we're poor and
sick you woul, not find me UNI
grateful. But my duty seems so
clear to me that cannot hesitate.
Even at the price of Your displeas-
ure, L must go. "But," she added.
timidly, II hope you will forgive
me-"
ooh, shall not quarrel with you,
child. You may go, certainly. Only
do'not latter yourself with the idea
that you can return here when you
tire of your sentimental duties.-
There, go to your own room, and
give me your decision at dinner
Not a word now"
So dismissed, EStelle went slowly
to the room where every adorl-
ment spoke Of her aunt's care for
her. She was young and had ell
dured poverty for many years, so
it was not withoutsome bitter tears
for herself that she faced the Sitla-
ton. She fully appreciated the diff
ference between Mrs. WainwriGht's
heiress, and Il dressmaker toiing
for the support OF two women; be
tween the petted child of this home
Of luxury, with servants to obey
every wish, and the drudge Of
little cottage with al almost help
less invalid to care for. Yet she
never ialtcred.
And when Mrs. Wainwright saw
the pale, reSolute face at dinner,
she knew that she must lose one
who was very dear to her. Not for
the first time, SHE regretted her
own residence abroad for fourteen
years, when she might have been
winning Estelle's love, as this ill.,
valid aunt had done.
81 see," she said, when the 81
lent, almost untasted meal was over,
.'you still cling to Your idea Of duty.
Go then. Take with you whatever
! | have given you, fol want no re
minderS Of your unGrateful deser-
ton. | had rather spare myself the
pain Of any parting scene. John
Shall drive you to the depot in the
morning, and this will pay Your
travelling expenses, and help you
until you obtain work."
She placed a note for a hundred
dollars in EStelle's hand as she
spoke, and turned coldly from her.
But the girl, now sO6bing c0nvul
sively, caught her hand and kissed
it warmly.
..Do not think me ungrateful,"
she said, her tears falling fast: sit
breaks my heart to offend you.
Please kiss me, and give me a lov
ing word before l 60.
"There, child, never make a scene
Goodbye" and she did kiss the
pleading, upturned face.
"May | write to you?"
"Just as you please. | shall not
expect it,"
And keeping her cold, inpassive
face, Mrs. wainwright went to her
own room, boIted the door, and
came out no more until Estelle had
taken her departure the next day.
1t was a room most unlike that
in which Mrs. wainwright had taken
leave Of Estelle, that the young girl
entered late in the afternoon of the
following day. The little cottage
where Mrs. West wept for her un-
natural child's desertion had but
tour rooms, all counted, and these
we're furnished very simply. In one
ofthese, STOPPING over sewing ma
chine, stopping often to cough, an
elderly lady, i'll plain mourning gar
mentS WIS seated when EStplln