Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-08-07
11LLIAN'S TEST.
by HELEN MARSHALL.

ny HELEN MARSHALL.
Tho large frame house on the corner
hi stood for many years. 1t had been
h hni in good style in its day, but it
u uan showed decided need ofpaint and
n nv before it could again take its
.ern,er rank. The morning sun stream
Nv. through the east window of large
, nom made the faded carpet look more
,ov and faded still. At secretary,
which might have stood in the self
same corner for score of years, sat
,, writing. She had reached per-
hans the age Of As. A stern, unyielding
ta u was hers, as though her better ma
ture had been warped and suppressed.
Her small gray eyes looked coldly out
from under heavy eyebrows that met.
With sigh of satisfaction she fin
;sbed her letter, then read it carefully.
CLIFTON. March 26. 1891.
DEAR L1LL1AN:-We are truly grieved to
ea N Of your recent bereavement in losing
yaur dear mother You must certainly teel
;ye cT loncly. Now do come and make this
yolr home henceforth. Your cousins are
as anxious as am l. Do not hesitate, but
send an early reply telling us when to meet
E''' AUNT El1zApErH.
There! I think that will do, consider
inc never had any love for her mother
and not much for her father. And
donning street attire, Mrs. Evans hur-
RED forth and deposited her letter in
tbe nearest mail box.
Ten years before our story opens,
Mrs. Evans only brother, Tom May
field, lived in the same town with his
widowed sister whom he offended by
marrying young girl who was penni-
less although of a sweet disposition and
highly cultured. Mrs. Evans seldom
noticed her sister-in-law, and rarely al
loved her children to visit their little
cousin Lillian, delicate child with the
same rare grace and refinement of
her mother. The child was in every
way superior to Mrs. Evans two
sturdy girls. When Lillian was but 8
years old, Mr.. Mayfeld died Of pneu-
nonia. The young widow grieved bit
teriy for him, for he had been noble
husband, very unlike his sister in dis
position. Indeed people wondered how
they could belong to the same family.
a short time Mrs. Maytield removed
Glenmora, her old home, and within
wear received fabulous sum OF money
from an uncle who had spent much of
his life in South America, but who had
succumbed to a fever while on board
ship. Upon hearing it, Mrs. Evans i'm
mediately began overtures of friendship
which were quietly ignored by Mrs.
Nlayied. AS the years rolled on it
became evident that Mrs. Mayheld was
slowly dying of consumption. From
place to place she travelled with her
daughter as companion, hoping that
change of air would renew life and
vigor, but without avail. She grew
rapidly worse and quietly passed away.
leaving Lillian at IL an heiress to
q vast amount, but as she pathetic.
ally said, without father, mother,
brother or sister," What she
longed for was human affection, not
money. So it was that Mrs. Evans
letter came to her crushed and heart
Sore like ray of sunshine after days
Of continual rain. A vision of home
and devoted friends who would love he1
for herself, not for her wealth. arose
before her. Those who have spen
years in travel oft times yearn for the
quiet joys of home. Bur, despite he
youth, Lillian was the possessor of goot
sound sense. Having passed much 0
her life among strangers, she hae
learned that money begets many para
sitical friends. While she gladly re
celved her aunt's cordially wordes
letter, she hesitated about replying to-
hastily or making permanent arrange
ments
Mother, haven't you heard fror
cousin Lillian yet" asked Annie Evan
q few days later. NO." was the reply
but | think there will surrey be enc il
aday or two. [ hope she won't be Ion
about coming either, we might as wei
have the benefit of part of her legacy a
not. MAYBE she remembers you OF old,
suggested Jane. the elder daughter, an
does not care to come" Jane Away
Nonsense" was the angry response
She was but child, besides, l neve
mlstreated her."
AT that moment the conversation wa
Interrupted by rap at the door: Ami
ssprang to open it. There stood slel
der sweet-faced girl with eyes as blu
as the violets at her waist. She WI
plainly attired in soft black robes, viii
IN her hand was q small satcheL lie
lace had worn, tired expression q
though she had been losing sleep IL
several successive nights. -.
" am in search Of work, she said
a :, clear, pleasant voice, addressing Mr.
Evans. II would like to get sewing
private families"
Mrs. Evans looked at her from he's
70 foot, but could see nothing amiss wit
her appearance. In q cold voice 81
asked, Can you give good recommend
This is my first attempt at anythlr
OF the kind. Recent circumstauc
make it necessary for me to apply +
'ne situation. I'm quite sure, howeve
my work would suit you" :.
DO give her trial." said Annie in
low tone, closely observing her mother
countensnce. Coollv and distinct
came the reply: "We do not tal
Strangers into Onr familv" The a