Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-19

Itwas Abigail VarIey's threescore-and
tenth birthday. She was a rich widow
childess, and with no known relations
save two gentlemen cousins.
Never was cousinly attachment more
beautifully illustrated, or coIsinIy jeal-
ously less amiably exc mplifed, than IN the
| daily walk and conversation of those two
| collateral kinemen. They bestowed SO
much affection Oh their common relative
! that they had no time left to waste between
| themselves.
! Both were several years younger than
the lady, with "a fair prospect, according
to the course of nature, of surviving her;
and how to supplant each other in her
| will, which she had at last begun to talk
seriously OF making, was the problem
which at present engaged their attention
On the morning In question, when
Cousin Roger called to wish Cousin Abb
gail the usual many happy returns" he
was not little chagrlned to find Cousin
Dick there before him. However, he pre-
sented his annual gift, and went through
his annual speech without missing a word
and seeing Tabby, the cousInIy cat,
perched snugy on his rivals knee, by way
Of not being outdone in cousinly attention,
he took up Pompey. the cousinly poodle,
though dogs were his abomination.
well, Cousin Abigail, | hope your
health continues good, said Cousin Roger,
patting Pompey's head and glancing sus-
piciously at Cousin Dick, whom he deyouU-
ly wished a Jericho,
Not SO good latter as has been. The
fact Is, the old lady continued. Il have
been linking seriously of sending for Mr.
! Parker, with view of settling my world
| ly affairs without delay
'Oh, there is no need of haste cousin, -
broke in Dick; you have many years
before you YETI" mentally adding, "What
has possessed the old lady to put it off SO
! long?"
well, well, suppose there's no hurry
about it said Cousin Abigail.
And yet" Cousin Roger ventured to
hit, 1T is always we'll to be Pre- pared !;
none of rs can tell the minute or the hour
you know"
And, after all calling in lawyer is
not so serious matter as calling in a
Doctor said Cousin Dick, facetiously.
The conversation was interrupted by
the entrance of a young and beautiful
| girl, at whom Cousin Dick started with a
! surprised and troubled look.
Pardon me, mia 'am,' she said in a
voice remarkable sweet and gentle; mot
knowing you were engaged, | came to see
| if you wished me, as usual, to read to you
to-day"
presently, dear" Mrs. Varley answer
ed in town that plainly limited her visi.
tors would not be pressed TO stay if they
offered to go.
After an awkward pause the two cousins
took their departure together
Who is that girl? - inquired Roger,
as soon as they reached the street.
You may well ask" said Cousin Dick
and, stopping, he whispered something in
| his companions's ear, at which the latter
started suddenly
Good heaven The resemblance is GER
| tainly striking But what is to be done
Do you think the old-Cousin ALiagil,
mean, suspects anything?'
Not yet, think; but no time Is to be
lost. | have plan which it would be well
for us to talk over together.
And the two hurried rapidly along.
Mrs. Varly had occasionally found the
time hang heavy on her hands. and SO had
advertised Tor person to fill the post OF
companion" to an aged lady.
1t was thus that Hester Darling had be-
come an inmate of the house.
AS as early an hour us was seemly or
the morning following that on which we
| introduced them to the reader, Roger, anC
| Dick again presented themselves before
| their cousin.
we had thought it our duty. cousin,
I--hegan Dick.
Our bounden duty put IN Roger.
las painful as it is Imperative, Dick
continued
To put you on your guard, ma am, >
Roger added.
against decpitful and designing per
son, ;" exclaimed Dick.
| Who is no better than she should bel!
shouted Roges. Indignantly.
Upon my word, cousin. do not com
prehend a sy liable you have uttered,' said
Mr.. Marley; nor shall be likely to i
YOU both keep talking at once. Come
Dick, you seem least excited What is thu
meaning of all this?"
What means. may | ventare to ask,
said Dick. did you take to ascertain the
character and antecedents of the young
women at present sheltered beneath youl
root? 2"
why. none" replied the good lady
Her young and truthful face were recon-
mendatien enough on which to give hel
trial.
I'VE have ascertajned her to be mos
abandoned creature" proceeded Dick
land have deemed it proper at once t
apprlse you of the discovery. Should sh,
deny the accusation, we are prepared will
t abundant proofs"
And the two cousins took their leave
with an air of exalted virtue
Mrs. Variey was lady of the strictes
propriety and soverest morals. Much a
she pitled and befriended the poor an
friendless girl. she must be prompt
freed from this foul and dreadful charge
or cross her threshold never to return.
She went directly to Hester's chamber
You must tell me your past history
child, said Mrs. Marley in "a determine
but not upkindly tone.
"Oh, madam, pray you pardon NE
but can not, can not tell it.
Then it has been one of shame an
guilt?''
For time, Of shame, madame" al
swered The young girl, with flushed cheek
but not of guilt"
What was it that caused Mrs. Varle
TO start SO suddenly and staeger hal
iainting to seat at Hester dressing
table?
"Who-whose likeness is that?" sh
exclaimed, in scarce articulate voic,
pointing to an open miniature on tt
table.
My Mothers" Hester answered.
Then you are Florence Marvin
child?"
That was. indeed. nay mothers name.
More, you are the daughter of my on
brother. George Haywood, for Floren'
| Marvin was his VIII -