Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1890-06-04

Mary met her more than hall way.
If it is necessary, can easily make
WILL she sad, but | have so very
little to leave that it has always seemed
rather absurd to be SO formal. But l
suppose il is as well TO have things SET
tied, and there's not much time left.
Oh as Mrs. Barr would have inter
rupted her with voluble reaSsuranres,
that is good of you; but l know the
end is near, anil with little smile,
Pm neither AFRAID nor sorry.
To return TO my valuable earthly
possessions. You and Ada are my
nearest relations, and, OF course have
the first claim, she went on, true to
the old Southern feeling that held dear
every twig of the family tree. And
you would care more for some of my
things. because of the kinship, than any
one else, perhaps. If l hal mere L
should like TO leave Jessie something;
but not less than thousand dollars
would do her much good, and l can't
leave her that, you know
Mrs. Blrr's mind flew to the stout
package of bonds she had seen in Miss
Valdor's trunk, and she WAS lost in
wonder at her cunning in still keeping
up the farce of poverty. But then she
knew rich people were often very &C.
centric.
50 you and Ada must have all there
is, Miss Naldor was saying. You will
find in my desk more than enough
money TO bury me, and the rest you 1a1
share as you chose. Only there is one
thing L want to give Jessie myself
What is it?' asked Mrs. Barr, with
difficulty concealing her devouring
anxiety as she thought or the bonds.
NnnlA rAarlanG ha h.4n1ah
over bodily u Jessie Grant!
Only an old chain and coin for a
keepsake patiently replied Mary. IN
put that down Iu the will, too.
For | somehow didn't like either of
them to haze tn s. she told Jessie that
same evening. They have been very
kind to unexpectedly of late-but l
want nobody but YOU to have it.
This lay in her hand as she spoke
long, threadllke chain of soft, pure
gold, TO which hung, instead of a
locket. a tiny satin case, coverel with
exquisite embroidery, as if to do honor
TO some treasure within.
Il have worn il next nv heart more
than twenty years, confessed the little
old maid, blushing family as she looked
tenderly down at her, and valued II
more than anything else on earth since
lost my engagement ring. For L was
engaged once, she went on. 1t was
just before the war, and when that
came, Dick enlisted and our marriage
had to be put off. The last time | saw
! him he was visiting his family on fur
Tough; and when he went away, he
brought me one of the first coins the
South had issued, and We tried TO
break it between us, like the lovers i'll
! .A1l sah to al. hsapr
| Buu,it wouldn't break, and so he said
must keep it for a luck-piece to remem-
ber him by. And then he rode away
through the moonlight, and three weeks
afterward he was killed in battle.
have kept it ever since
She had taken it out OF its case now
ami put it in Jessie's hand-a piece of
silver, shining and perfect as the day
II left the mint.
Its owner gaZed at it for long mo
ment before she spoke again.
1t seems as young and pretty rs ever,
does 1t not? And, Oh, how strange it Is
to remember how | used to look at it,
and dream over 1t. and fancy l could see
a happy home in it, as in magic mir
ror of prophesyI Well, all that is over
long ago. But | think you will value
1t little for my sake!'
oh, l shall indeed | will always
keep II as carefully as you have. And,
dear Miss Mary, If | could only tell you
how sorry | am, how 1 sympathiz--'
Il can guess, and that is why /
wanted you to have tins. But never
mind trying TO tell me. Though it was
all over long ago, still | can't lear To
iaIk much about II. But don want
YOU 10 promise 10 keep the com. Some
thing might happen, you know. l
have parted with things l meant to
keep always, and would rather you
ut took it with my love, and felt free
% do what you pleased with it. And
NOW / must ask you to leave Inc to rest.
Goodnight, dear
\ good night it was to Mary Val
dor, for it was her last on earth.
Mrs. Barr and her daughter made a
gle display of their grief and their
black gowns; but it was Jessie whose
tender hands robed the dead woman
for her coffin, and arranged about her
there drifts of Conrad'S lovelieSt white
blossoms.
some of its youthful beauty had
come back to the peaceful face, aud the
sweet lips smiled as If in happy sleep.
Few formalities were needed to ad-
minister the estate. The day after the
funeral Mrs Barr pr ,ceeded to unlock
the trunk that held most of 1t, while
Ada looked eagerly on.
There were PLAIN, well-worn gar
ments, just saved from shabbiness by
their careful mendiug and keeping; an
old-fashioned chain, with seals, aud a
little Swiss watch. Its gold DIAL and in
ner cases engraved with tiny landscapes;
some few fine laces, "A faded sllken fan,
that had first fiuJtered at Washington
inaugural ball; small family relics, and
trinkets of trihing value.
But the bonds?' demanded Ada.
peering over her mothers shoulder in
impatient anxiety.
For answer, Mrs. Barr held up the
stout package, which had been at the
very bottom of the trunk.
In another moment it was torn open;
and in another moment still
a cry of angry disappointment broke
from both women. For there, in big,
bold letters, OH the tirot OF the bonds,
they read:
Confederate States of America
1T can't bel' said Ada, after a des-
pairing silence.
But it YVES. Old Colonel Valdor had
investe In them every dollar he could
raise, and his daughter had treasured
them with her other relics.
But l can't see why Mary should
have kept them if they weren't worth
anything at alp declared Mrs. Barr,
resolutely reviving her hopes And L
saw awhile ago in some paper that some
English firm or other was buying up all
the Southern bonds to be had. shall
send for old Mr.. Mslin, and get him to
examine these. He's always collecting
queer stamps and money, and rubbish
of that sort, and he'll know where we