The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-05-07

lilc iOhciJ ihcub-
| ows and violet
sprinkled woods.
dead at last" said old Squire
Starworthy. "Well he had an awful
long illness. ] should think Eliza
must be worn out, taking care of him.
Are you going over there WHIP"
Young Mr.. Willoughby Starworthy
was drawing on an elegant pair of
dove-tinted kid gloves-a slender
young nun with soft brown hair, and
d complexion where cold cream and
rose-water had done wonders.
81 thought OF it, sir. Eliza must be
lonely, and--we've always been pretty
good friends, you know"
81 know-I know" said the Squire,
winking graciously. "Eliza's growed
up as tall and pretty us your
mothers white lilies, and folks do say
that old John Holden had money
enough saved up to buy half the
parish.
Mr.. Willoughby Starworthy wisely
pretended not to hear the last sen
tence spoken by his sage parent; but
then Mr.. Willoughby had long ago
viewed thequestion in all his lights and
bearings.
ELIZA Holden's o nice girl always
liked Eliza" pondered the youth,
switching II slender stem ofhalel across
his polished boots; land then her
uncle.s property-it's worth consider
ing-it is, upon my word and honor.
There she stands at the gate now; but
who is that with her? David Jenniier,
MS ] livel Now what brings that tall
hulking, brown-faced farmer fellow
here, I'd like to know?
"Mr. Starworthy.'
The fresh carnation mounted in
Eliza Holdens lovely round cheek as
the young exquisite held out his hand,
murmuring some choice consolatory
phrase, and the shy sparkle of her
downcast eyes evinced her unspoken
qualification. David ,Iennifer saw it
with pang. All the patient years OF
devotion that he had LAID at pretty
Ellza's feet-all the love of his true
heart--were they so little in the bal
ance, as compared with Willoughby
Starworthy's handsome face and sen
timental whisperings? Ali even so
goes the world, honest David
Goodbye, Eiiza-I see you've bet
ter company" he said, simply holding
out his toil-worn hand. "Ill come to
your uncles funeral tomorrow"
And he went down the road, while
the steadfast light in the late Mr..
Holden's corpse-chamber seemed to
watch the two young men with that
same unwinking eye of fire.
al thought you had forgotten me.
Mr.. Starworthy," Eliza said, with the
long black lashes almost touching her
crimson cheek
Forgotten you, Elizal ydarling,
did you suppose that were possible
thing"
He pressed her hand gently as he
spoke, mentally wondering if old John
Holden had made regular will, or
left the stringent New England law to
guard his testamentary intentions.
9rhe afternoon sunshine was reflect
ing the narrow panes OF the western
windows in squares of ripping gold
against the smoke-embrowned wall of
the old family room, with its wood
colored wainscoting, and tall clock,
and yawing chimney throat-the neigh
bors in their Sunday clothes were sit
ting stiilly round in the straight back.
ed chairs; for old Mr.. Holden had been
laid among the silent sleepers behind
the gray church tower, and the will
was to be read at last.
Eliza-the only living relative of the
stern old man whose sole remaining
hold on earth was but a memory now
sat by the window in her simple
mourning dress, very quiet and lovely.
Mr. Willoughby Starworthy leaned
over the back of her chair with an air
of calm proprietorship that stung to
the quick honest David Jennifer, who
stood by the door watching every shade
of color that fluttered across pretty
ELIAS cheek-every unconscious mo-
ton of the rose-red lips.
"'To the Orphans Fund in this
town, one thousand dollars; to the
Babtist Church OF Carsville, one thou
sand dollars-to my beloved neice,
Eliza Mariana Holden"
Willoughby bit his lip to still its con-
vulsive quivering, and deep red stain
cameto his cheek, as he watched the
lawyers calm, impassive face. :. -''--T
"'This house and farm, with all the
appurtenances, fixtures and furniture
thereunto belonging"
as that ALP"
The words broke almost uncon-
sciously from Willoughby Starwor-
thy's dry lips.
"All," returned the lawyer. COM
posedly folding up the paper. "Allow
me to congratulate you, Miss Eliza--a
very nice old place, although somewhat
dilapidated for lack OF the proper care
and at least thirty acres of excellent
arabic land"
"Well, neverl" quoth Mr.. Avery.
scratching his head, meditatively.
Folks s'posed John Holden was
worth fifty thousand dollars. at the
very leastl"
Folks as you know, my good
friend, said the lawyer, atfably. @are
frequently mistaken in their estimate
OF other peoples wealth"
"And so Lazy HASN'T any property,