The record-union., 1892-12-10
AUNT TABITHA'S GODSON.
Written for the REcoRD-UNIoN by Alice
Robertson

written Tor the RECORD-UNION by Alice
Robertson.
Rich man, poor man, oeggar man,
thief, doctor lawyer, merchant, chief"
/ Then, stopping with a merry laugh,
''Rich man, how nice!'
'What are you talking about. dear?'
/ "Oh, nothing much" with a slim fore
| finger still resting upon the last button of
her trim little boot. "Only telling my
fortune. l despise poverty and adore
nice things. Nice new things like these
shoes, for instance. l so seldom have
anything. Not that l wish to complain, -
hurriedly, as she notices grieved look
settling upon her gentle elder sisters
face. you and Will have your hands
full to keep the children properly clothed
without being burdened by me- l am
like the rest of the world, | suppose-the
more / have the more / want" stretch
ing herself full length at her sisters feet,
amid the sweet smelling white clover;
she plucks a blossom Of the same and
| tWlrls 1t above her Winsome face, mean
while humming softly,
never set eyes on a elovertield now,
! NOR fool round the stable or climb in the
| NOW;
But my childhood comes back just as clear
ana as plain
AS the smell of the clover I'm sniffin'
| again.
And then" she continues, "these new
shoes are such relief and vast improve
ment upon the old ones, which would go
nlpltyhop at every step | took"
Mans busy fingers let fall the needle
| work to welcome. with a smile, her hus-
band, the Rev. William Dean, as he
quickly approaches.
! NaGpp5S pUpG tolIpXy tbosa pf bar Ci
ters.
Il wonder what he wants? Is that a
letter III his hands? 1t looks like it, or -
philosophically, "a bill most likely"
There is faint flush of excitement
upon the clergyman's usually pale face
as he joins mis- wife and sister-in-law
Madge has raised to a sitting position.
lie stoops to pat the sunny head kindly.
Little girl, have strange news for
you"
Good or bad?" eagerly.
| That, as yet, / cannot exactly state. 1t
depends, to a great extent, upon your
self.'
Rather nervously clearing his throat he
proceeds to unfold and read the contents
OF the heavy legal-looking parchment in
his hands, which runs thus:
WILLIAM DEAN-REvEREND SIR :
Upon reading the will Of our deceased
client, the late Miss Tabitha Blake. we
are authorized to notify you that, accord
| ing to said will, your wife, Nancy Dean,
is Dequeathed the sum OF $50, and the re-
malnder, approNlmating 100000, goes
| das-"
A surprised, glad cry.
The reader lifts finger to enjoin 81
lence.
In conference with deceased's godson,
AIgernon Cameron, upon condition that
the SAID parties intermarry. In case one
should refuse to marry the other, such
dissenting party shall receive nothing,
ana The acqulescent party shall receive
one-haIf Upon the other hand, should
| both be unwilling, they will each, there
fore, forfeit the whole amount. which
Will go to various charities, which we
nave, at present, not space to mention.
And, again, it is our late respected client
express wish That her neice Margary
Dundas, shall spend one month at Cam
eron Hall, and become acquainted with
her prospective husband. At the end OF
that time they must marry.
AT your orders for further service.
we remain your most obedient servant,
'McGREGOR, MALCoME IL Co.,
Attoneys-at-Law, 46S Prince street, Ed
inburg, Scotland"
AS her brOther-in-law ceases Madge
scrambles to her feet with rumpled hair.
her faded blue gingham dress crumpIed
and showing several green stains from
recent contact with the clover.
u won't 60. 1t is horrible"
Hush, DEAR" and a loving arm steals
around the young girls waist. There
is no cOmpulsion about it. Remember
you are at liberty to suit yourself"
YES" with swapping eyes and burn
ing cheeks, uncIasping Mans clinging
arms, land Phi take Jolly good care will
suit myself. The idea of having wretch
OF husband flung at ones head in this
manner. 1t is shameful, disgraceful-in
fact downright indecent"
A slight, amused smile passes furtively
between the husband and wife at this re-
belliOus Outburst.
Don't be too hasty, Madge. Remem-
Der there Is big sum of money at stake.
and it seems you did not quite under
stand the following clause:''
such dissenting party shall receive
nothing"
And the Rev. William, despite his sa-
cred calling, is not devoid of a little sar-
caSm.
who knows? The young man may
not be willing to marry you"
"Eh," ungraciously. "That didn't oc-
cur to me. How nice it would be. Yes.''
suddenly, "pu go and make myself as
abominable as possible. I'll crop nv
halr and have couple of front teeth eX-
tracted and-and-" breathlessIy.
Have a ring put through your nose. ,,
mildly suggests her brother-in-Iaw.
Without deigning to notice this re-
marx, save by Withering glance, she
continues. "Pll have a green dress
made. Green positively makes me look
hide0us."
IAN right, little girl. Although. ;,
looking critically at the pretty flushed
face, mot wishing to be uncompImenta-
ry, l really think all those alterations
will hardly be necessary. At this mo-
ment you would frignten away the
bravest OF tortune-hunters. Yes" medi-
tatlVely, IN regard to getting the mon
ey the chances, without a doubt, are de-
cledly in your tavor.'
Madge returns her brother-in-law,s :
look rather dubiously.
And, as you have decided to 90. which
is right and sensible, / will drop a line to
the elder Mr.. Cameron informiup him nj
the fact, and ascertain what date it would
be convenient Tor him to receive you.D
= es," recklessly, write immediately.
Let him form the horrid impression Pm
eager To grab his son. That will help to
prejudice them against me in the start"
IN due time an answer came in re-
sponse to the hev. William Deans letter
"a nice, polite answer, setting an earlv
time for Miss Dundas' visit, and a week
later Madge, accompanied by her broth
! er-ln-laW, IS on her way to D They
are met at the station by groom, IN
gorgeous livery, seated behind a shining
pair of bays which convey them swiftly
to the handsome residence a mile dis
tant. As they sweep up the wide car
riageway Madge clasps her brother-in-
laws hand nervously.
"Ohr' with piteous little droop of the
hitherto mutinous red lips, II am fright
ened, Will. Please-please let me iump
out and run back"
> Ia, ;r;l !, L. ~
ly strives to hide. 'You are ali right.
Don't 90 showing the Whita feather -,