The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-10-09
HASTY INHERITANCE.

shrug OF her buxom shoulders,
why for shouldn't be kind to herr"
she said. "But any one would think 1t
would be your wife you'd be rather
thinking of Just now, as Is your own
flesh and blood-for it says so In Scrip
ture-than Maggie! les always been
the same-her FIRST and me nowhere;
and solemnly believe, Samuel David
son, as how you married me for Moth
ing else than to get a nurse for her
She spoke In tones OF petulant ug-
graVation, rather dlsc0rdant at that
moment, and her glance fell rather dis
dainfully on child seated on the rag
carpet in front OF the fire, pale, stunt
ed little creature, who looked much
younger than her yearsand whose thin,
soft, flaxen hair fell over detormed
shoulders Scarcely conscious OF what
was going on-for she was partially
deaf, and the development OF her intel
ligence had been retarded and circum-
scribed by her infirmltes-she was sol
EMMY happy with her little wooden doll
and a handful Of many -oolored rags,
Her fathers eyes rested on her with
wistful yearning He hardly needed
his wife's complaint, In which there was
more than shadow OF truth. He idol
ICED the little afflicted creature, not on
ly for her own sake, but for the faint
and fleeing resemblance he traced in
her TO his first love, the delicate girl who
had died In adding this life to the world,
He had met his second consort nj o
country picnic OF The church, and, he
had been attracted to her by some kind
words she had spoken-uot without ar
rlere pensee--to little Maggie. Samuel
was struggling on them with grabbed
old woman, whom Maggie hated, as
housekeeper, and he rushed into anoth-
er matrimonial arrangement, perhaps
without sufficient consideration still
things had gone pretty well so far Liza
had not exhibited the effusive affection
OF prenuptial days to the child; but she
was shrewd enough to know that the
smallest unkindness would not be toll
Grated.
you've been good TO her" said Sam
uel, slowly. But when I'm away, it's
like enough somebody will be wanting
you-and they mightn't be so kind to
the wee wench. Promise me, Liza, pro-
mise me, that you'll see her right done
to-then I'll die satisfied"
His wife had risen to clear away the
things, and she stood with her back to
him, looking out of the window. She
had been vaguely feeling herself Illus
ed by Providence. She knew, on the
other hand, that she would have some-
thing to start witli-she was sure that
Samuel had savings, and there was in
surance money-for all three were en-
tered on the books of n big society She
thought over this quite calmly, and 1t
reconcied her to her position. She had
gone on to specializing whether 1t
would be worth while to bug n new
black dress. or whether her Sunday
gown WOULD with little renovation,
when Samuel's weak, painting voice
broke In again:
You'll promise, lass?" he said, plead
ingly.
She advanced to the bed,
III it's any satisfaction to you, pro-
mise right enough" she said. There's
my hand on It."
Davidson Grasped It eagerly in his
clammy palm. There was n finger
missing on his own, the third finger,
blown Off by gun accident and show
ing an ugly gap with stump in 1t.
That's right; that's right" he said,
with q sight of relief. Shell get stron-
ger, maybe. as she grows up"
Its well she's not left quite alone"
said Liza, tentatively. She'll never be
fit to make her own living"
81 ha done what could for ye both
said Davidson. There's the insurance
you'll get all that-it goes to the sur
ylyer. And there's Gi0O. The minister
has the bonds. Forty for you sixty for
. the little lassie He knows"
"You give me just forty out OF IT."
said Liza, In shrill anger That's not
fair play; 1 should have 1t oil, I'll have
10 keep her"
''You'n get the insurance" urged
Davidson. Then there's the house and
the furniture It's good; MaggIes moth
or and put our savings together to get
fits all good. You'u not be 80 i'll
left; let the little lass have her share"
whats she to DO with the lIke?"
IF she grows UP stronger, she may
want 1t to start little shop, or some
thing OF the like: she'll never be III for
hard work. You'll get the benefit OF It
then, But II It pleases him otherwise,
or IL you were taken from her too, the
money with the iuterest-four and
half-will. maybe, help her into home
or something"
II should hn' had 1t all" said his
wife, sullenly.
1T would not be fair to take all from
her." moaned Davidson. Don't be-
Erudge her II, Liza"
"Pshaw!" said his wife
She went and sat down by the FIRE.
The cleaning died outside in cold pur-
pies and grays. and the child slept
where she lay on the rug. Liza grew
drowsy, too, and for Samuel the throHg-
ing anxieties OF the hour merged by de-
grees Into stupor. and then into dream
less sleep"
In the morning a birds shrlll song
awakened Liza. She woke slowly, won
dering why her neck should be so stiff;
then she realized that she had slept all
night leaning against the low, wide
mantelpiece
Luckily | didn't set myself afro"
she said, for there was sim hot heart
OF glow under the hoary ashes. She
touched a match 10 IT, ana III candle
though It was array daylight. wonder
how he tsp she said.
She carried the candle to the bedside.
Liza touched It gently but she did not
need the further evidence OF Its deadly
chill.
She stood few moments leaning over
him and feeling, after all, the awe OF
the presence Of death. She recovered
herself quickly, however. and rousiug
the child, partly dressed her wrapped
an old Quilt around her, and carried her
to neighbor'B door.
"Rxcuse me wnkinP you" she said.
can bring In Maggie? NV poor mans
gone"
lord sake, is he? wa1 ye alonc7'
1--WE been nlonc all night" said Liza
,,tth a littio shnkp in hor voice