Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-06-18
CHAPTER vi.
A SURPRISE.

ave have been examining, my dear Sophia,
your mothers papers, and we are now in 6
position to let you know exactly how you
stand. l have waited before calling yor
down, in order that | might be able to satisfy
your mind in all particulars, and not merely
read over documents to you which would
deal in general terms without making the
fact of the case clear. | think as your
mother has made a very special communica.
ton to you about her affairs-a communica.
ton which she wished her executor to read
before showing it to you'll think I may now
read her letter, and thus it will be she anG
not / who will tell you how you are left.
Shall read the letter, Or will you read it for
yourself3"
"Read it, please" Sophia replied, trembling
with excitement.
Goldmore drew the candle closer to him
self, adjuN.ed his glasses on his nose ant
began:
amy Dear Sophia have for a 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 YOU
course in life has not been such as l approved
of. l regretted, and l shall always regret
that you did not marry when you had E
favorable opportunity, and you know wei
that, in acting as you did, you cast aside al
my precepts, and, indeed, disappointed al
my hopes. But l am bound to say you never
forgot yourself, and your behavior was a.
mild and daughterly as possible under tn,
circumstances and l cannot but tell you thai
your affection for me at that time touched
me deeply, although l was angry. You gave
me the idea of a girl who, though acting from
a mistaken principle, was doing 1t in q high
minded way. And since then, every day,
have had fresh tokens of your love and care
"'You three girls will have at my death
thousand pounds apiece. The whole Of my
remaining income goes back to the family o.
my first husband. hoped to have seen yet
married and settled before | died; but, as thi!
was not to be, l could not think of your be
ing left in so miserable q condition. For thii
reason, while my income was still very large
Iresolved, without telling any one, to reduce
my expenditure, and lay up a little money
for YOU. l have already accumulated rather
more than eight thousand pounds, and be
fore l die this sum will no doubt be in
creased. You will be my residuary legatee
and at my death the sum l have saved will
be yours absolutely. must charge you Il
be cautious with it. Submit yourself i'm
plicitly to the guidance of u good Archi
bald; and, as you love my memory, and re
member the sacrifice | have made, you mus
not. il any freak of affection, let the fortune
slip away. 1t is meant for your comfort
You will i'll repay me if you allow any Other
person to s~quander it.
"'You have chosen your way in life; and
although it is not mine, l hope you will bt
happy. OF course / have no right to force
my views on you. You have got to live YOU
own life, and to get enjoyment in your owr
way. The great thing in life is by somt
means to get enjoyment out of it, which
sincerely hope you may do. Try, anyway
to be a credit to your mother. Remember
whatever else you do, always dress hand
somely and keep up appearances, and thinl
sometimes of your old worldly mother,
"tBARBARA TEMPLE"
Goldmore laid the letter ON the table, and
then, with his most imposing air, took VI
another paper, on which we're some column
of figures, set out with great care. He re
adjusted his glasses, and began afresh:
"The property you receive in this way" HI
said, "amounts to about twelve Thousand
pounds, and the manner in which it is in
vested is most satisfactory. I should like yov
to glance over this"
20, Archibald, not just YET" Sophia said, ii
great agitation. "To-morrow-another tint
will do. l feel a little upset. VIII you give
me mammals letter, and then excuse me for
while9 l don't think | can speak very mucl
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 10 means unnatural
"She is a tender-hearted girl" Goldmort
said, adding, in his testimonial style: II hav'
a high opinion of her"
And Sophia hurried away, not to her lover
but to her mothers room. There she cas-
herself on Mrs. Temples bed, and poured ou-
mingled tears of gratitude, grief and joy
such as | hope, reader, may bedew you
memory some day. The little worldly mother
who ~secmed-and who, in a way, was-sr
selfish, how kindly she had acted at the last
Sophia thought Of her frivolity, her obstinate
refusal to make any preparation for death
her absorbed spiat Of worldliness; and theI