Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-03-19
cneek. but never OF guilt.

cneelk, but never OF guilt
What was it that caused Mrs. Varley
to start so suddenly and stagger half
fainting to seat at Hesters dressing.
table?
"Who-whose likeness is that?" she
exclaimed, in a scarce articulate voice,
pointing to an open miniature on the
table
"Aly mothers" Hester answered.
''Then You are Florence Marvin's
child?'
''That was, indeed, my mothers
name"
"Mo: YOU are the daughter of my
only brother, George Haywood, for
| Florence Marvin was his wife"
With stifed cry, she who had be-
ieved herself alone and friendless in
the world fell on her kinswoman's neck
and wept tears of mingled gladness and
sorrow.
Her story, which Hester had refused
to contide to a strangers ears, she now
willingly impaired to one from whom
she felt she had no longer any right to
| withhold it.
That her brother had married in
opposition to her fathers wishes, and
had been disinherited in consequence,
was already known to Abigail Marley;
but what distant spot he had selected
for his home, and what had befallen him
there she had never learned.
The story was sad enough:
After few toilsome, but not unhap-
| e.
loved society of his wife and child-a
dire calamity had fallen upon George
Haywood. He came under suspicion Of
fearful crime. A network of circum-
stances too intricate for mans wit to
| disentangle environed him, and he was
condemned to die. The stern Judgment
was carried into effect, and the exc
| cuted murderers despised widow
sought concealment for herself and
child in change of place and name.
Long, long years afterwards the truth
was discovered; but the judicial muir
der had passed among the things ire
vocable. The poor widow died at last
died broken-hearted, but with one
consolation: She had lived to see her
husbands innocence indicated
"And this, E.y poor child, is the
shame of which you spOke?"
"Nly life has known no other"
Not many days after, Hester was sent
to one of the first seminaries in the
land, for she had yet time enough to
avail herself of opportunities of culture
hitherto beyond her reach. Tier aunt
and she kept their own coT'iseL Cous-
ms Rogers and Dick only knew that the
object of their solicitude had disap-
peared, and probably congratulated
themselves on the SUCCESS of their vir-
tuous stratagem.
After time, Mr. Parker, Cousin Abb
gals lawyer, was sent for, ard after
that the good lady seemed wonderfully
revived in health and spirits. At her
next birthday the prospect of many
happy Fetdrns" produced any thing
but happy effect on the two expect
ant cousins, who began to think that,
after all, the life tables might not be
infallible. But her time came at last;
and, within a decent period after the
sad event, Cousins Roger and Dick were
duly summoned to attend the reading
of Abigail Varlcy's will
They were good deal startled at the
sight of their old enemy, the strange
girl
Poor Tabby, as if seeking consolation
in her bereavement, leaped upon the
knee of her old friend Dick, who
stroked her back patheticalIy, but a
little nervously. Pompey, who took
things more philosophically, stretched
himself out for a snOoze at the feet of
Roger.
Mr.. Parker, drawing from his pocket
the document, proceeded to read it
The introduction was long and formal
But, bark! there's something coming
now:
ITO my cousin, Richard Figgins"-
Richard looked at Roger in triumph.
81 give and bequeath"-
lou could have heard both their
hearts beat
I'm consideration of the natural
love and affection which have long
observed between them
Dick looked puzzled
My favorite cat Tabby"-
Dick gave Tabby furious stroke the
wrong way.
Sand no more Of my estate"
With a fling that betokened most
emphatic Remuneration of the legacy,
Tabby was sent mewing and splitting
to the furthest corner of the room
ITO my cousin, Roger Smith
It was Rogers turn to triumph
I'm consideration of the like natu-
raj love and Affection
Roger hegsn 70 1esl susDicionS