The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1895-03-15

PAID MIN 1nfrequent V1S1tS curing Cne
time Elsie had lived at the farm.
She we'll remembered these placid old
people, the sweet thees and thys with
which they were won't to sprinkle their
conversation, but it was long time
since she had heard Uncle 81 speak Of
the Dicks. They might be dead and in
their graves. Both Paul and Elsie, ig-
norant as they were of the world, knew
the will was irregular in form. How
could it hold good against the interests
of the direct heir without the testimo-
ny of those old people? By dint Of prob
ing her memory Elsie recalled the fact
that they lived more than a hundred
miles away in quite another part of the
country. She remembered the name of
their village, but had forgotten the state
and county. If the will were produced
at once its genuineness might be
questioned She and Paul would find
themselves in an awkward position if,
without proof, they were accused of
forging the paper. In their whispered
talk under the oak tree, in that wild red
dawn, they decided to conceal its exist
ence for the present to gain time-above
all, to hunt up the Dicks. Moreover,
they must take advice of older and wiser
heads than their own.
Arthur Hapgood did not awake until
late that morning, for it was near mid
night before he had fallen into his first
heavy slumber. The old ladies' obsti-
nate resistance to his wishes had nettled
him not little, and he was also anx-
ious to punish Elsie for the part she had
played. His mind had been at work on
plan altogether feasible and proper and
calculated to avoid scandal. AS the old
wor1en had retreated to their beds and
refused to arise, it was to be inferred
that they were helpless invalids-bed-
ridden and half imbecile and to be dealt
with accordingly. He therefore deter
mined to drive old Whitefoot in the
chaise to the town, early in the morn
ing, to engage an ambulance at the hos
pital to remove the old ladies to the
home, where they could have care and
medical attendance that could not be Civ
en- them on the farm. After concocting
this clever plan he fell asleep, with con-
science void of offense, and slept the
sleep of the just.
When Arthur came down stairs at
O'Clock, he heard Elsie singing as she
stepped brislzly about at her work. He
wondered at the change that had come
over the little witch, who the day be-
fore had been as gloomy and unsocial as
a tombstone. AS Elsie grew more cheer
full and light hearted Arthur became
g]um and silent. No morning saluta-
tions passed between them. She served
him, however, at breakfast, and while
she smiled at the sugar bowl he frown-
ed at the milk jug enough to turn the
sweet cream sour. Elsie had been in to
wait ON the old ladies, had petted and
patted them and breathed comforting
words into their ears. The more Arthur
Hapgood seemed sunk in gloom the
more light hearted Elsie became, the
more trippingly sounded her little feet
about the old kitchen. Breakfast was
just over, and Arthur had drawn out
his watch to calculate the time it would
take him to drive to Littlefield, when
light carriage drawn by a single horse,
stopped at the farmhouse door, A pale
old gentleman, tall and thin, with a
straight bodied coat and gray broad
brim, stepped out of the carriage to give
his hand to lovely, tranquil old lady
in Quaker drab, with scoop bonnet
and little shawl of the same color
Elsie had been drawn to the window
by the sound Of wheels, and as soon as
her eye fell on the old couple she rushed
to the front door, flung it wide open,
skipped down the walk and seized the
old lady in her arms.
I'VE are glad to see thee, Elsie Ray;
glad to see thee," said Reuben Dick,
shaking her hand.
He took off his hat and looked SOL
emnly up at the front of the old farm
house
Il only heard of friend Simon Hap
goods departure two days ago, and !
said to my wife, Let us set off at once,
for something tells me we shall be need
ed in the house of sorrow.' Friend ST.
mon was just man, and surely thee
has grieved for him, for he was a good
friend to thee
Tears Of joy were running down FL
SEES cheeks. She felt that God had
raised up friends in the hour of need
She led the old people i+ to the sitting
room, where from the open window Ar
thur Hapoood had been bewildered
spectator of their arrival and Elsie's
greeting.
is thee friend of Simon Hapgood?"
said the old man politely, taking off
his hat.
II am his nephew, sir, - said Arthur,
drawing himself up, land l happen to
be master here now. AS my uncle's di-
rect heir have come into the prop
erty."
Is thee quite sure of that?" said old
Reuben, eying him keenly "Has more
than one will been found drawn by the
hand of thy late uncle?''
mot even one, said Arthur with
cheerful positiveness. my uncle, as it
happened, never made a will.
'"Thee is mistaken, " said the old man
Inpressively "Thy uncle did make a
will, as both my wife Dorothy and 1
can testify, for we were witnesses to
the same, and he spoke to us of its pro-
visions. Thy uncle was not the man to
leave those who had been dependent ON
him In poverty and unfriended. He
knew thee to be the son of an opulent
father, an only child, and he left thee
the family Bible, hoping the perusal
might profit thee to edification.
10 xuYaofba1 A