The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1891-03-19
AUNT ABIGAIL'S WILL.
What She Bequeathed to Oous-
ms Roger and Dick.

and-tenth birthday. She was rich
widow, childless, and with no known
relations save two gentlemen cousins.
Never was cousinly attachment more
beautifully illustrated, or cousinly jeal-
ousy less amiably exemplitied, than in
the daily walk and conversation of
these two collateral kinsmen. They
bestowed so much affection on their
common relative that they had none
left to waste between themselves.
Both were several years younger
than the lady, with fair prospect, &C
cording to the course of nature, of sur
viving her; and how to supplant each
other in her will. which she had at last
begun seriously to talk 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 be-
fore him. However, he presented his
annual gift, and went through his an
nual speech without missing a word;
and seeing Tabby, the cousinly cat,
perchcd snugly 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 suspiciously at Cousin Dick,
whom he devoutly wished at Jericho.
Not so good latterly as has been.
The fact is the old lady continued, II
have been thinking seriously of send
ing for Mr.. Parker, with a view to
settling my worldly affairs without de-
lay"
"Oh, there is no need of haste, cous-
in.' broke in Dick; you have many
years before you YETI mentally add
ing: What has possessed the old lady
to put it off SO long?''
well, well, l suppose there's no hur-
ry about it," said Cousin Abigail
And yet" Cousin Roger ventured to
hint, lit is always we'll to be prepared;
none of us can tell the minute or the
hour, you know
And, after all, calling in a lawyer is
not so serious a matter as calling in a
DOCTOR" said Cousin Dick, facetiously.
The conversation was interrupted by
the entrance of young and beautiful
girl, at whom Cousin Dick stared with
surprised and troubled look.
"Pardon me, ma'am,' she said, in a
voice remarkably 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. Marley an
swered in tone that plainly limited 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 some
thing in his companions ear, at which
the latter started suddenly.
Good heaven! the resemblance is
certainly striking. But what is to be
done? Do you think the old-Cousin
Abigail, l mean, suspects any thing?"
Not yet, think; but no time is to be
lost. have plan which it would be
we'll for us to talk over together"
And the two hurried rapidly along.
Mrs. Varley had occasionally foun6
the time hang heavy on her hands
and so had advertised for a person tc
fill the post of companion to ar
aged lady. 1t was thus that Hester
Darling had become an inmate of the
house.
At as early an hour as was seemly or
the morning following that on which
we introduced them to the reader, Rog
err and Dick again presented themselves
before their cousin.
"We have thought it our duty, cousin
- began Dick.
Our bounden duty" put in Roger.
GAS painful as it is Imperative" Dicl
continued.
ITO put you on your guard, ma'am,
Roger added.
Against deceitful and designin,
person." exclaimed Dick.
"Who is no better than she SHOULD
be" shouted Roger. indignantly.
"Cpon my word, cousins, l do no
comprehend syllable you have ut
tered" said Mrs. Marley; nor shall
be likely to if you both keep talking a
once. Come, Dick, you seem least ex
cited. What is the meaning of all this?
"What means. may l venture to ask,
said Dick, did you take to ascertain
the character and antecedents of tn
young woman at present sheltered be
meath your roof"
why, none," replied the good lady
"Her young and truthful face wer
recommendation enough on which t
give her trial"
"We have ascertained her to be
most abandoned creature" proceede
Dick, land have deemed it proper a
once to apprise you of the discovery
Should she deny the accusation, we ar
prepared with abundant proofs"
And the two cousins took their leave
with an air of exalted virtue.
Mrs. Varley was lady of the strictes
propriety and severest' morals. Muc
as she pitied and befriended the poe
and friendless girl, she must be promp
ly freed from this foul and dreadf,
charge, or cross her threshold never I
return.
She went directly to Hester's chan
Der.
"You must tell me your past histor.
child" said Mrs. Marley, in dete
mined but not unkindly tone.
ooh, madam, pray you pardon m
but I'can not, can not tell it!'
"Then it has been one of shame an
guilt?'
For time, of shame, madam" al
swered the young girl, with fiushe
cheek, "but never of guilt
What was it that caused Mrs. Varle
to start so suddenly and stagger ha
fainting to seat at Hester's dressin,
table?
"Who-whose likeness is that?" ST
oxolo ;mo1 in a Scarce articu1 To vo;c