The morning call., 1891-03-09
AUNT ABIGAIL'S WILL.

chldless, and with no known relations save
two gentlemen cousins.
Never was cousinly attachment more
beautifully illustrated, or cousinly jealousy
less amiably exemplifed. than in the daily
walk and conversation of these two collat-
eral kinsmen. They bestowed so much af-
lection on their common relative that they
had none left to waste between themselves.
Both were several years younger than the
lady, with 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 Abigail the
usual "many happy returns" he was not
little chagrined to find Cousin Dick there
before him. However, he presented his an
nual gilt and went through his annual
speech without missing word; and seeing
Tabby, the cOusinly cat, perched snugly on
his rivals knee, by way of not being out
done in cousinly attention he took up POM
pey. 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 suspiciously at
Cousin Dick, whom he deyoutly wished at
Jericho.
"Not SO good latterly as it has been. The
fact is" the old lady continued, Il have
been thinking seriously of sending for Mr..
Parker, with view to setting my worldly
affairs without delay"
''Oh. there is no need of haste, cousin"
broke in Dick; "you have many years be-
fore you yet," mentally adding. What has
possessed the old ninny to put it off SO
long, u ,u-no,o .,o,,,, -, ,urru
about it," said Cousin Abigail.
And yet" Cousin Roger Vcntured to hint,
sit is always well to be prepared none of us
can tell the minute or the hour, you know"
''And. after all, calling in lawyer is not
so serious matter as calling IN doctor,
said Cousin Dick facetiously.
The conversation was interrupted by the
entrance of a young and beautiful girl, at
whom Cousin Dick stared with surprised
ana troubled look.
pardon me. ma'am," she said in voice
remarkably sweet and gentle; mot know
ing you were engaged. l came to see II you
wished me, as usual, to read to you to-day"
Presently, dear" Mrs. Marley answered
in a tone that plainly limited that her visitors
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 ear, at Which the. latter
started suddenly.
Good heayenl the resemblance is GER
tainly striking. But what is to be doneP DO
you think the 0ld-Cousin Abigail, mean,
suspects anythingY
Not yet, l think; but no time is to be
lost. l have plan which it would be well
for us to talk over together"
And the two hurried rapidly along.
Mrs. Marley had occasionally found the
time hang heavy on her hands, and so had
advertised for a person to fill the post of
companion" to an aged lady. 1t was thus
that Hester Darling had become an inmate
of the house.
AT as early an hour as was seemly on the
morning following that on which we intro
dured them to the reader Roger and Dick
again presented themselves before their
cousin.
1--WE have thought it our duty, cousin
began Dick.
SOur bounden duty" put in. Roger.
Gas painful as 1t is imperative" Dick
continued.
ITO put you on your guard. ma'am,"
Roger added.
son." exclaimed Dick.
"Who is no better than she should bep'
shouted Roger, Indignantly.
Upon my word, cousins, l do not CON-
prehend a syllable you have uttered, said
Mrs. Yarley. NOR shall l be likely to il you
both keep talking at once. Come. Dick, you
seem least excited. WHAT'S the meaning of
all thisP"
"What means, may 1 venture to ask"
said Dick, ibid you take to ascertain the
character and antecedents of the woman
at present sheltered beneath your roof?'
why, none," replied the good lady.
'tHer young and truthful face were recon-
mendation enough on which to give her q
trial"
owe have ascertained her to be a most
abandoned creature" proceeded Dick, land
you Of the discovery. Should she deny the
accusation we are prepared with abundant.
proofs"
And the two cousins took their leave, with
an air OF exalted virtue.
Mrs. Marley was lady Of the strctest
propriety and severest morals. Much as
she pitied the poor and friendless girl she
must be promptly 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 determined
but not unklndly tone.
"Oh, madame, pray you pardon me, but
L cannot, cannot tell it."
Then it has been one of shame and
guilt?"
For time, of shame, madame" an
"but never OF guilt"
What was it that caused Mrs. Varey to
start so suddenly and stagger half fainting
to seat at Hesters dresSing-table?
"Who-whose likeness is thatP" she ex-
claimed, in scarce articu!ate voice, point
ing to an open miniature ON the table.
my mothers" Hester answered.
"1hen you are Florence Marvin's child?"
THAT was, indeed, my mothers name"
more, you are the daughter of my only
brother, George Haywood, fol- Florence
Marvin was his wife"
herself alone and friendless in the world
fell on her kinswoman's neck, and wept
tears of mingled gladness aud sorrow.
Her story, which Hester had refused to
confide to strangers ears, she now will
ingly impaired to one from whom she felt
she had no longer right to withhold it.
That her brother had married in opposi-
ton to her fathers wishes, and been dsin-
herited in consequence, was already known
10 Abigail Marley; but what distant spot he
had selected for his home and what had be-
fallen there she never learned.
The story was sad enough.
After few toilsome but not unhappy
years-for they were spent IN the loved So
ciety of his wife and chlld-a dire calamity
had fallen upon George Haywood. He came
uDutl ouoplCiuli VI u crime. a net
work to circumstances too intricate for mans
wit to disentangle enyironed him, and he
was condemned to die. The stern iudg-
ment was carried into effect, and the exc
cuted murderer's desplsed widow sought
concealment for herself and child in a
change OF place and name Long. long wears
afterward the truth was discovered; but the
judicial murder had passed among the things
irrevocable. The poor widow died at last
died broken-hearted, but with one consola-
ton: she had lived to see her husbands in
nocence vindicated.
:" And this, my poor child, is the shame of
which you spoke? 2"
Z" My life has known no other"
Not many days after. Hester was sent to
one of the best seminaries in the land. for
she had yet time TO avail herself of oppor
tunities hitherto beyond her reach, Her
aunt and she kept their own council Cousin
Roger and Dick only knew that the object
OF their solicitude had disappeared. and
probably congratulated themselves on the
success of their virtuous stratagem.
After time. MIR. Parker, Cousin AbigiPs
lawyer, was sentsfor; and after that the
good lady seemed wonderfully revived in
health aud anirita Ar har