The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-10-01

Do pTOuu IO uhVe you.
"Seth, I can't talk with you now, u
she said, showing him her damp face
and bright eyes.
"Nor come home and take your din
ner with my mother, JoanP'
"No, no. l mustn't go yet. They'll
turn me out soon, know; but l must
stay till then"
"Well, lass" said Seth, "you know
best; but I'm fair aching for you, and
this night as is I'll fetch you to home. "
He took her in his arms in the pas
sage, up which SO many antique arti-
cles had travelled during the last half
century, and kissed her wet cheeks.
"And now I nun get back to work, u
he said.
1t was a hot day even for June, and
when the funeral party re-entered the
house, Mrs. Peters face was extremely
red.
Here they we're met by Walter Bat
tersby and the three girls.
This was Mrs. Peters arrangement.
'"The more witnesses there are the
safer it'll be-" she had said. alluding,
of course, to the reading of her broth
er-in-law's will. besides" she add
ed, "they may hear something nice
for themselves.
As far as he was concerned, how
ever, young Walter had fully intended
to be present, even if his father and
mother objected.
Joan continued alone in the kitchen.
The tramp of strange feet in the room
over her did but make fresh tears well
up from the bountiful source inside
her.
| And 80 the funeral party and the
others sat round old Carmel's table
and waited for Mr.. Cameron to begin.
The lawyer did not keep them waiting.
He smiled rather dryly and drew forth
the paper from it's official blue enve.
lope.
Never was there, in Mrs. Peter
Battersby's opinion, more horrid and
disgraceful last will and testament.
Certainly, her husband was to re-
ceive fourth of the proceeds Of the
sale of the deceased's goods; but what
was a mere fourth?
The other three-fourths were left
of all things-to the Moxford Union,
"to help them to train up more girls
like Joan Smith" Those were the
very words.
To the three girls of Mr.. and Mrs.
Peter the three largest mirrors in the
establishment of No. SO were be-
queathed without comment. Mr.. Wal
ter Battersby was not even mentioned,
nor was Mrs. Peters.
Mr.. Cameron received a hundred
pounds, and so did the deceased's old
friend, Mr.. Craven.
Lastly, Joan was mentioned. She
was to have years wages, oil the fur
niture of her own bedroom, and the
old scrap book for which she had so
often piled scissors and paste. and
which contained curious items of news
paper intelligence during the last
thirty years.
"There, gentleman and ladies, that
is all, said MIR. Cameron; 'and now
you must excuse me. leave you with
my co-ttustee. Mr.. Craven.
"One moment. SIR" interposed Mr..
Peter, to whom his wife had whispered
much. "What's become Of all his
money in the bank? He must have
had thousands.
"The balance to his credit on May
81" answered Mr.. Cameron, referring
to a note, twas just 'H SIS, 10d.
After the funeral expenses are paid
"What's he done with it?" cried
Mrs. Peter, redder of face than ever.
II cannot tell you, madam. Good
morning." said the lawyer, who then
wisely left them to fight the matter
out among themselves. But before he
went he, with his own hands, carried
to Joan in her kitchen the unwieldy
old scrap book, and told her that it
was her property as well as the furni-
ture of her room.
"Come, cheer up, my girl" he said
at parting. "Your master was fond
of you, and he would rather see you
bright than downcast. And remem-
Der that I am your friend if you
should happen to want one"
Joan thanked Mr.. Cameron, and
then, having reverently kissed the old
book, put it one side.
Mrs. Peter, before she parted,
thought we'll to trespass in the kitchen
and say some cruel things to Joan.
But somehow the girl did not mind
them very much now.
Then Seth looked in again, and said
she was to come up to his mothers
that evening. If .he didn't he should
fetch her. And to make sure of hav-
ing her he carried off the big scrap
book.
Mrs. Peter Battersby did something
else before she left No. So.