The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-05-22
EBENSBURG. Pa, FRIDAY. MA \ %, 1891.
but / can not, can not tell it,
Then it has been one OF shame md

but can not. can not tell it,
'.Then it has been one of shame md
guilt?-'
''Eor time, of shame, madam" an
swered the young girl, with flushed
cheek. but mover of guilt"
What was it that caused Mrs. Narley
to start SO suddenly and stagger half
fainting TO a seat at Hester's dressing
table?
"Who-whose likeness is thatT' she
exclaimed, in scarce articulate voice,
pointing to an open miniature on the
table.
My mothers" Hester answered.
Then you IRE Florence Marvin's
That was, indeed. my mothers
name"
More, you are the daughter of my
only brother, George Haywood, for
Florence Marvin was his wife
With a stified cry, she who had be-
licved 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
10 confide to strangers ears, she now
willingly imparted to one from whom
she felt she had no longer any right to
withhold it.
That her brother had married Ia
opposition to her fathers wishes, and
had been disinherited in consequence.
was already known to Abigail Narley
but what distant spot he had selected
for his home, and what had befailcn him
there she had never learned.
The story was sad enough:
py, years-for they were spent in the
loved society of his wife and child-a
dire calamity had fallen npon George
Haywood. He came under suspicion of
fearful crime. \ 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 murderer's despised widow
sought concealment for herself and
child in a 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 brolxen-hearted, but with one
consolation: She had lived to see her
husbands innocence vindicated.
And this, my poor child, Is the
shame of which you spoke?"
My 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. Her aunt
and she kept their own counsel 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, and after
that the good lady seemed wonderfully
revived in health and spirits. AT her
next birthday the prospect of many
happy returns" produced any thing
but i 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 n decent period after the
sad event, Cousins Roger and Dick were
duly summoned to attend the reading
of Abigail Varley's will.
They We're 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 pathetically, 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, procc ded to read IL
The introduction was long and formal
But, hark! there's something coming
now:
ITO my cousin, Richard Figgins'-
Richard looked at Roger in triumph
Il give and bequeath'-
You could have heard both their
hearts beat.
In consideration of the natural
love and affection which i have long
observed between them
Dick looked puzzled.
Ny favorite cat Tabby''-
Di1-, gave Tabby furious stroke the
wrong way.
And no more of my estate"
With a fling that betolxened most
emphatic remuneration of the legacy
Tabby was sent mewing and splitting
to the furthest corner of the room.
ITO my cousin, Roger smith
1t was Rogers turn to triumph
I'm consideration OF the like natu-
raj love and Affection
Roger began to feel suspicious.
u give and bequeath my dog Pom
pey, and no more of my estate"
With violent kick Pompey was sent
spinning after the cat; and the fear of
her who had so long kept the peace be-
tween them being no longer before
their eyes, the pent-up enmity of years
found vent in an uproarious fight, in the
noise of which the voice of the old law
yer was almost drowned; but the words:
rest and residue of my estate-niece,
Hester, Haywood" were sufficiently
audible, and Cousins Dick and Roger
stayed to hear no more.-N. Y. Evening