Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1885-01-15
POLLY.

The plain little parlor on the s'6rst-
floor front" Of No. II Warner street was
scrupulously well ordered; but the flow
ers in the windows, the two or three old
family portraits on the walls, and tht
books, in costly but worn bindings, on
the centre table, did not conceal the gen
eral shabbiness of the furniture and 8
prevailing air Of an effort at making the
most Of very limited means.
Two young girls and . lady past mid
die age were in the room. The latter
had very white hands and a dissatisfied
expression of countenance; and the girls,
who were pretty and ladylike, were oc-
cupied, one painting costly fan, and
the other in a very difficult task Of darn
ing old linen.
Il really think, !" said the lady, with
considerable emphasis, s'that it was ex-
cessively mean in Cousin Lydia not to
have left us anything knowing, too,
how changed our circumstances are. But
Of course it is owing to that deceitful
and avaricious old maid whom she called
her companion, and who inveigled hel
into making will exclusively in hel
favor.n
'sBut she had so little to leave,
mamma" said the younger girl, glancine
up from her painting; land you know
she depended almost entirely upon hel
quarterly allowance from her brother in
California.
She had handsome old furniture and
some silver, which belonged to our grand
mother, and which l should have been
glad to get. To think Of those things
going to strangerw
tPerhaps she saved something from
her allowance, said the elder girl, who
had grave, practical air about her.
'sHer brother made money, you know
and no doubt provided Literally for her. J
"Not he! Cousin Charles always was
miser, even in his youth. remember
people used to say that he would have
offered himself to me, but for consider
ing my tastes TOO extravagant for the
wife of poor man."
And Mrs. Dalton tossed her head dis
dainfuIly.
The elder girl half f-sighed as she thread.
ed her needle.
Perhaps she was thinking that Cousin
Charles had been right, and that but 70,
those extrayagant tastes, which had led
mother into living up to, and even be-
yond her late husbands means, she might
not now have found herself so unprovid-
ed for.
And perhaps, too, she herself would
not have been compelled to wait, fol
years it might be, until her poor,
brave Harry could work himself up into
situation which would enable them to
marry.
And just as her thoughts reached this
point, they were interrupted by the clang
Of the iron street-gate, followed by the
sharp ringing Of the hall-bell.
A moment after, an overworked-look-
ing servant-girl thrust her head into the
parlor.
Please'm, there's an expressman
wants you. He's got something for you
in his wagon
/" For me'' said Mrs. Dalton, in sur
prise. g It must be mistake, ! she add.
ed, as she rose and went into the hall.
But it was no mistake. There were
two packages deposited on the door-siIl,
distinctly directed to " Mrs. Caroline
Dalton, No. II, Warner street."
Mechanically obsying the mans hur-
ried directions, she signed her name to
receipt in his book, and as he rushed
off found herself standing, half bewiI-
dered, with the mysterious parcels at her
feet.
What can they be?'' said Laura,
STOPPING and lifting the smaller Of the
two bundles. why, it is a booki And,
mamma, the express mark is from Green
vilIe-A Cousin Lydia's town. Perhaps ii
is something she left you, after all"
'.It is no doubt tho silverlp said Mrs.
Dalton, in some excitement. stBring
them into the parlor, Carrie. Why,
what can that be? as strange noise was
heard from the coarse canvass which,
like an inverted bag, enveloped the
larger parcel.
Carrie stopped, and, lifting the edge
Of the cover, peeped timidly under.
ss0h, mamma, it is cousin Lydia's gray
parrot =
Mrs. Dalton walked into the parlor,
and without word sank heavily into d
rocking chair.
Laura was looking astonished, and
Carrie with difficulty suppressing laugh.
TO conceal the the ill-timed mirth she
began to unite the other parcel
The Tracey family Bible, \ she said
displaying wen-worn volume In 4
leathern cover and here ID note fast
ened to it. Il
'fhe note was from the late Miss Lydia