The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-09-16
CHAPTER VI.
A SURPRISE.


your mothers papers, and we are now in a
position to let YOU know exactly how you
stand. / have waited before calling you
down, in order that I might be able to satisfy
your mind in all particulars and not merely
read OYER documents to you which would
deal in general terms without making the
fact OF the case clear 1 think as your
mother has made a very special communica-
ton to you about her afairs-a communica-
tion which She wished her executor to read
before showing il to you'll think may now
read her letter, and thus it will be she and
not who viii tell you how yoH are left.
Shall read the letter, Or win you read it for
yourself"
"Read it, please" Sophia replied, trembling
with excitement.
Goldmore drew the candle closer to him
self, adjusted his glasses on his nose and
began:
"'My Dear Sophia-I have for long time
felt great anxiety about you and your future,
when | shall be taken from you. For Caro-
line and Sibyl am not concerned; they are
happily married, and will never want either
wealth or counsel. With you the case is very
different. You must be aware that your
course in life has not been such as / approved
Of l regretted, and l shall always regret,
that you did not marry when you had
favorable opportunity, and you know well
that, in acting as you did, you cast aside all
my precepts, and, indeed, disappointed all
my hopes. But I am bound to say you never
forgot yourself, and your behavior was as
mild and daughterly as possible under the
circumstances; and cannot but tell you that
your affection for me at that time touched
me deeply, although I was angry You gave
me the idea of a girl who, though acting from
a mistaken principle was doing it in high
minded way. And since then, every day,
have had FIRE tokens Of your love and care.
"'You three girls VIII have at my death
Thousand pounds apiece. The whole If my
remaining income goes back to the family OF
my first husband hoped to have seen you
married and settled before l died; but, as this
was not to be, could not think Of your be-
ing left in so miserable condition. For this
reason, while my income was still very large
/ resolved, without telling any one, to reduce
my expenditure, and lay up little money
for you ! have already accumulated rather
more than eight thousand pounds, and be-
fore I die this sum will no doubt be in.
creased. You will be my reslduary legatee
and at my death the sum | have saved will
be yours absolutely. l must charge you to
be cautious with it. Submit yourself inn
plicitly to the guidance of our good Archi.
bald; and, as you love my memory, and re-
member the sacrifice have made, you must
not, in any freak Of affection, let the fortune
slip away. It is meant for your comfort.
You will i'll repay me if you allow any other
person to squander it.
"'You have chosen your way in life; and,
although it is not mine, l hope you will be
happy. OF course I have no right to force
my views on you. You have got to live your
own.life, and to get enjoyment in your own
way The great thing in life is by some
means to get enjoyment out Of it, which l
sincerely hope you may do. Try, anyway,
to be credit to your mother. Remember,
whatever else you do, always dress hand
somely and keep up appearances, and think
sometimes of ycNr old worldly mother,
"'BARBARA TEMPLE"
Goldmore laid the letter ON the table, and
then, with his most imposing air, took up
another paper, on which were some columns
of figures, set out with great care. He re-
adjusted his glasses, and began afresh:
"The property you receive in this way" he
said, "amounts to about twelve thousand
pounds, and the manner in which it Is in
vested is most satisfactory, 1 should like you
to glance over this"
90, Archibald, not just yet, Sophia said, in
great agitation. "To-morrow-an another time
will do. feel little upset. Will you give
me mammals letter, and then excuse me for
while? don't think can speak very much
just now"
With an agitated bow to the man of law
she got out of the room,
"Miss Temple is a little moved" the solici-
tor remarked. "By no means unnatural"
"She is a tender-hearted girl" Goldmore
said, adding, in his testimonial style; II have
a high opinion Of her"
And Sophia hurried away, not to her lover,
but to her mothers room. There she cast
herself on Mrs Temples bed, and poured out
mingled tears Of gratitude, grief and joy,
such as I hope, reader, may bedew your
memory some day. The little worldly mother,
who seemed-and who, in way, was-so
selfish, how kindly she had acted at the lastl
Sophia thought Of her frivolity, her obstinate
refusal to make any preparation for death,
her absorbed spirit Of worldlines5: and then
unis kind deed coming up like flower out oil
her very grave! She was a tender-hearted
Girl, as Goldmore said but, perhaps, most Of
us, one time or another, have felt something
akin to the feeling which filed her breast, as,
through her tears she called out, although
there was none to hear:
Mamma, mammal Oh, if I could only tell
you-if could only have you for ten minutes
to tell you"