The Monmouth inquirer., 1897-07-22

Her story, which Hester had rsfuses
10 confide to strangers ears. she nov
willingly impaired 70 one from whom
she felt she had no longer right to
without it.
That her brother had married in op
position to her fathers wishes and
been disinherited in consequence, was
already known to Mrs. Varley; bui
what distant spot he had selected fol
his home, and what had befallen hin
there, she never learned.
The story was sad enough.
After few toilsome, but not unhap-
py years-for they were spent in the
loved society of his wife and child
dire calamity had fallen upon Geoorge
Haywood. He came under suspicion
of a fearful crime. A network Of cir
cumstances too intricate for man'swi
to disentangie enyironed him, and he
was condemned to die.
The stern judgment was carried inS
effect, and the executed murderer's de-
spised widow sought concealment fol
herself and child in a change of place
and name. Long, long years after
wards the truth was discovered; but
the judicial murder has passed amons
the things irrevocable. The poor widow
died at last broken~hearted, but witt
one consolation: she had lived to SEE
her husbands innoeense indicated.
And this is the disgrace of which
my two good cousins spoke said the
old lady to herself.
Not many days after, Hester was sen
to one of the best seminaries in thu
country, for she was young enough t.
avail herself of opportunities of cuI
ture hitherto beyond her reach.
Her aunt and she kept their owr
counsel Roger and Dick only knew
that the object of their solicitude has
disappeared, and probably congratu'
lated themselves on the success of then
virtuous stratagem.
After a time, Mr.. Parker, Cousin
Sarah's lawyer, was sent for; and af
ter that the good lady seemed wonder
fully revived in health and spirits. Al
her next birthday the prospect Of
many happy returns" produced any
thing but happy effect on the two ex
pectant cousins, who began to thinl
that, after all, the life tables might bt
infallible. But her time came at Hast;
and within a decent period after the
sad event, Roger and Dick we're duly
summoned to attend the reading o.
Sarah Varley's will.
They were a good deal startled at the
sight of their old enemy, the strange
girl.
Poor Tabby, as if seeking consolation
in her bereavement, leaped upon the
knee of her old friend Dick, who strok-
ed her back pathetically, but little
neryously. Pompey, who took things
more philosophically, stretched himself
out for a snooze at the feet of Roger
Mr. Parker, drawing from his pocke'
the document, proceeded to read it. The
introduction was long and formal. Bu
hark! there's something coming now
ITO my cousin, Richard Higgins
Richard looked at Roger in triumph
Il give and bequeathw''
You could have heard both theil
hearts beat.
In consideration of the natural Low,
and affection which ! have long OBJ
served between them
Dick looked puzzled.
MY favorite cat Tabby-
Dick gave Tabby furious stroke tbs
wrong way.
''And no more of my estate.
With a fling that betoKened mos
emphatic renunication of the legacy
Tabby was sent mewing and splitting
to the furthest corner of the room.
ITO my cousin, Roger Smith
1t was Rogers turn to triumph.
In consideration of the like natura
love and aaffection-"
Roger began to feel suspicious.
Il give and bequeath my dog Pompey
and no more of my estate
With a violent. kick Pompey was SEM
spinning after the cat; and the fear o.
her who had so long kept the peace be
tween them being no longer before
their eyes, the pent-up enmity of years
found vent in an uproarious fight, in
the noise of which the voice of the y
lawyer was almost drowned; but the
words, 1.-The rest and residue of my IS
tate-niece, Hester Haywood, were
sufficiently audible. and Cousins Dick
and Roger stayed to hear no more