The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-03-06
JUDITHS PUNISHMENT.

bequeath the residue OF my estate, houses
ands and bank account, unreservedly, to
be held by her and her heirs forever
So read the conclusion of old Miss Rem
evils will and il case Of dynamite had
exploi Ell i tho library, it could not have
created greater CONSERVATION among the
decoro1s mourners assembled there.
Judith Alstoa, the girl she had barely
tolerated, in the place of Stephen Terrell,
her opelly acknowledged heirl What
strange crazc had she developed in her last
hou s. As with one accord all ewes turned
to that graceful figure standing in the
strange light of the open west window,
clothed in deepest black, somber as youth
ful figure could be, then quick glance at
stephen Terrell, leaning against the mantel-
piece, his face admirably composed then
furtive looks exchanged with one another.
1t was certainly enough to upset them. The
legacies were all right They could not
quarrel about that part of the will but cut
ting her favorite off without even the pro
verbal shilling was an unexplainable mys-
terry to them.
Lawyer Bryant, well aware of the un-
pleasant sensation be had created in reading
that will, ierked his papers together a de-
cided frosn on his face. But crushingly as
the news fell on these relatives and friends
VI ehC eAoAAtoAtoNSbf -AAo1 INthtNAlH Will
shocked no one as it did Judith Aston. She
caught at a chair for support her olive skin
hvidly white, positive horror in her dark
eyes.
She felt-the cruel, stony stare Of those UNI
friendly eyes, but more keenly still did she
feel the condemnation of her own CON
science.
Did that horrible, malicious old woman
understand the heavy punishment she in
hicted on the girl when she burdened her
with Stephen Terrel's rightful inheritancel
Judith looked at him with entreating
eyes
"Oh, Stephenl oh, stephenl" she cried,
and could say no more for the choking sobs
rising in her throat
"The sly, deceitful creatureln muttered
one indignant partisan.
But that imploring cry had a different
effect on Stephen He thought he under
stood her feelings, and walked instantly
over to reassure her.
"She did not intend it It was my FAULT
she murmured, incoherently, passionate
tears in her luminous eyes, her mouth quiv-
ering.
"Hushp he whispered warningly, and she
turned her head aside, with heaving breast.
Ali if they only knew the dreadful confess
sion trembling on her lips, of falseness, of
deceit She felt scorched with shame, sick
with anguish, at the mischief a few mad
words had wrought
In a fash all the events of the past year
swept before her mental vision. Her coming
to Miss Renevil from her desolated scsathern
home, an orphan, lonely, g. .ef-stric1en,
craving sympathy and I've with all her
passionate, undisciplin>if heart From the
cold, evil-tempereds Old woman she had re-
N.
had bee.cher staunch, unwavering friend
had often shielded her from frowns and cut
Uing words-had made her life endurable
In return she gave him all the gratitude
and love Of her soul, for he was Young
handsome and possessed of many attractions
OF mind and heart He did not suspect the
extent Of the mischief He found it very
pleasant thing to be kind to her, to earn
grateful glances from her Deep dark eyes,
elog- mt always of the soul beneath, and did
not think of consequences
The pleasant intercourse might have gone
on to an indefinite length Of time, if a new
element had not been introduced. Miss
kendric came down from the city to visit
the Sadords, and then Judith discovered her
own danger
Old Miss Renevil hated the Saffords and
all their relations with nearly a deadly
allow even a servant of her household to
cross their Threshold but when Alicia
Kendric came with her golden hair, her soft
blue eyes, and musical, caressing voice.
Stephen Terrell so far disregarded his auntis
commands as to call there not once. but
many times
Then Judith felt great, jealous throb stir
hsr heart
All, could she ever forget the day she sat
on the lawn with Stephen, and Miss Ken
dric passed in her low phaton, a vision of
serene and delicate beauty in her cool, pale
blue gown and floating ribbons How
Stephen smiled as he lifted his hat, his eyes
following herr Judith's eyes darkened
stOrmily.
"Stcphen"
He turned instantly to her.
"Wen" lazily, but softly.
do you admire Miss Kendricln
"Yes, very much, he replied, unhesitat-
ingly, raising his eyes to watch great
bumble-l 90 circling round and round, above
her head.
DO you love herr" and she sat rigidly up-
right, the rich soft color forsaking her face.
He was not looking at her, and he was far
from understanding the tumult in her heart,
or the agony his reply inflicted on her.
Yes; l have known her a long time"
Poor Judith turned her blanched face
from him as she mechanically rose to her
feet Stephen started up from his lounging
attitude.
Where are you going, Jndithl'
Toto the house. 1 am tired Of this hot
glare"
"Come, then -" but she had passed
swiftly across the lawn, and so away from
him, feeling safe only in flight
AS she spranr breathlessly un-stairs saalr
ing her own room, high-pitched, querulous
voice called her name.
judith Judith
She walked slowly, reluctantly into Miss
Renevil's room.
The oil woman, lean, shriveled, and
wrapped in heavy shawl even on SO hot
a summer day, peered sharply at her
"You are too old 20 race around the
house like a hoyden. saw you tearing
wildly across the lawn just now What is
the matterf
Nothing"
"Then why, for heavens sake, do you
look so whites Who was that driving down
the street,"
Then such fearful temptation assalled
the passionate, impulsive girl Rage and
misery had for the moment rendered her
perfectly reckless
miss Kendricn
"Who is Miss KendricY
"a cousin Of the Saffords, and
"Ah, and so she belongs to them, does
sheln vindictively.
AAnd Stephens sweetheart
A thousand times since she had repented
that base betrayal of his secret-had passed
Eleepless nights and wretched days brooding
over it,
"Ehl whatl" screamed the old woman
with dreadful look upon her face. Has
he too betrayed mei"
"He says he loves her."
"He does, does hel Then he'll have her
without my favor, trembling with passion
HGirl, you are not lyingi
ayes, yes" she cried, in sudden violeni
revulsions Of feeling, revenge already turn
ing To hittArnaas ~ have hann rnndii