The Negro world., 1892-07-23
AN UNUSUAL LEGACY.
Peter Horace and His Improbable
Speculation.

OSDSeASbOhs
1t had been for some months moot
ed question in the little village of Glen
dale who would fall heir to Aunt Mar
tha Marvale's money when she died.
There were her two nieces, the near
est of kin, in the first place One, Miss
Bertha Marvale, an amiable young
lady, who was immensely proper and
respectable, and had been very dutiful
in her attendance upon her invalid
aunt. The other, a wee bit of maiden,
with sunny eyes, and short dancing
curls, who taught school for her own
and her mothers support, and did not
seem TO mind II at all, she was always
so bright and winsome. She had done
nothing in particular for her aunt ex-
eept 10 make sunshine in the prim old
rooms by occasional visits, and in a
saucy, inveigling sort OF way to get
herself very much liked by the eccen-
trio old lady; it was very hard to see
upon what grounds Miss Dot May
burne based her expectation, so the
neighbors said.
And now the good, queer Miss Martha
Marvale was dead, and buried with due
soiemnity and proper gloom. Soon il
would be known who was the fortunate
possessor of her fabulous wealth-for
fabulous" II had become, under the
busy tongues of interested friends and
acquaintance. To be sure, she had
never made display of riches, and no
one In Glendale had ever seen her
money except in quite msager sums
But she was known TO have been quite
mlserly in her habits, and no doubt had
large amounts slowed away in odd
corners.
The lawyer sat at the head of the
room rattling the important document
oh1ihously. Miss Marvale sat in the
high-backed chair, looking pale, mel
ancholy and severe in her new and
fashionable mourning dress, Mr.. Peter
Horace, a gentleman who never in his
life had evineed liking for anything
but money until he met Miss Marvale,
sat attentively near.
Dot Mayburne. in doleful black, re-
clined in the uneompromising recesses
of the big stiff old sofa, with sadness
In her pretty face that appealed to
every tender heart in her presence.
Willard Hayes, a young and penniless
physician, and her most devoted ad-
mirer, supported her, hguratively
speaking, of course, on her left. The
deacons Of the church sat in decorous
silence, and one or two "oldest inhAb-
itants" occupied the spare corners of
the room. The reading began.
After the usual prelhninaries IL was
found that all of Martha Marvale's real
estate, moneys and personal property
were left Internationally to her be-
loved niece, Dorothea Mayburne, ex-
cepting few insignificant legacies to
church and friends. To Bertha Mar
vale. In consideration Of affeetionate
attention, she willed her favorite foot
stool. Its many dear associations, the
fact that she had seen II for years the
support of her aunt's wearied feet.
would endear IL 10 her. and, as she had
often expressed a pious contempt for
carnal wealth, she would prize 1t above
all earthly dross.
The whole fortune was not q munifi-
cent one, after all. and even Dot was
not rich woman. and she could only
open her blue eyes in wonder while
Willard Hayes smiled brightly upon
her aud whispered his congratulations.
Miss Marvale's face was buried in her
black-edged handkerchief, and no one
could tell how she was affected. Mr..
HorAce's face was a picture of blank
dismay. The deaeons looked glum, and
said not a word. Every body seemed
inclined to get out OF Me way with as
little ceremony as possible, and soon
the cousins were left alone.
~ hope. Cousin Bertha. you will al
ways make this house your home" Dot
began, timidly. "You know this Is as
great a surprise 70 me as TO you. and.
while am glad of home and COM
forts for mamma, do not want you 10
be poor or homeless. Can't we all live
together"
mo. we can't all live together
snapped Bertha. coming out from be-
hind her pocket handkerchief You
are q little underhand cheat, and
wouldn't accept charity from you II
were starving. And II Is not neees-
sary. as ! am engaged. and Mr.. Horace
Is samply able 10 see that do not come
) 70 want"
Dot retired, overcome by the stupen-
dous Intelligence, as Miss MArvale In.
tended she should be.
II am sure l congratulate yon." she
marmured and hope II you ever
need friend You will not hesitate"
"Boiher your friendship" exclaimed
the irate lady, rising; Il think we can
dispense with each others company.
and rs ] cannot ask you 10 leave your
ewn house will take tho liberty Of re.
tiring myself
That evening the viii was discussed
over . hundred tea-tabgese and many
queries. wouaerings and Il told you
sos" pAssea 10 and fro, What the old
lady had seen 10 admire in Dot 80
much. what had become Of all the
wralth abe was supposed 10 have
owned, why she haa lefa paltry old otto
man to Bertha. who had been 80 faith
faL and % forth. werr all datifal-
u discussed. and left "a znsatiSsaelori-
y diApose6 of - before