The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-12-03
n n ISIS BIGGS had always said that

i they were ''mcstly unpleasant >
but this one was decidedly not
OF that category. 1t had come by the eight
o'clock mail the previous morning, and
Miss Biggs was still in state of the great
est amazement. 1t was only when reading
the plainly typewriter lines that she felt
that she was not dreaming.
She took up the letter again, although
she now almost knew it by heart. There,
after number of legal phrases, was the
gist of it all.
(Which estate, after all lawful debts are
paid, consists OF mortgage OF $4,000 on q
property in the neighboring village OF Ben
dor The said mortgage is overdue, and
, foreclosure was about to have been made
by the late Mr.. Bggs."
Yes, there it was, and there was the sig
nature in his own handwriting, of Lawye
John Penny
Four thousand dollars, and left her by a
cousin with whom she had not been on
friendly terms for years.
Why it seemed a fortune ! Miss Biggs'
glance went around the room. The colors
in the carpet had all faded to dull gray,
but she could have new one now. Some
OF the chairs were going through in the
seat they should be recaned. And she
would buy new lounge like the one in
Dawson's furniture shop, covered with
maroon leather. But, best of,all, she could
have headstone put to her fathers grave.
She was still absorbed in her contem
plated expenditures when knock came at
the door. Miss Biggs hurriedly thrust the
letter into the pocket of her gown before
admitting her visitor, who proved to be
Mrs. Sprague Her plump countenance was
flushed from rapid walking.
Ga, Susan ~ she exclaimed in high.
pitched voice 81 met Deacon Gosset q few
minutes ago, and he told me that he'd just
got back from Plainvile where he heard
that your cousin Hiram had died and left
you all his money-so | just ran right
over" and she sank into rocking chair
''Do tell me- she went on, as Miss
Biggs closed the door, and sat down opp0-
site her, "if it is true"
Miss Biggs replied stilly that it was
Martha Sprague's loud voice and love oil
news had always annoyed her.
"Well, to be sure" exclaimed Mrs
Sprague. "What luck TO them that
hath shall be given as the Scripture says.
Wban did yo,, haar
81 received lawyers letter yesterday"
replied Miss Bggs, coldly.
ia, to think of Hiram Biggs leaving
you his money when you were not friends
for so long. This is strange world"
And Mrs. Sprague shook her head thought
fully.
Miss Biggs made no reply to this pro-
found statement. She sat stiff and upright,
her eyes fixed in cold politeness on her WIS.,
itor's face. "Hiram was counted pretty
rich, said Mrs. Sprague, tentatively.
She had burning wish to know the
amount of money which Miss Biggs had
inherited, but she did not dare to ask
plainly.
81 believe So" assented Miss Biggs, in
differently. Mrs. Sprague rocked back and
forth. 1t was plain that Miss Biggs was
not going to give her any information on
the subject Of her legacy, so after few
desultory remarks, she rose reluctantly to
go. AS she reached the door, she turned
suddenly.
80, Susan" she said, her black eyes
swapping spitefully guess whom Deacon
Gosset saw in Plainville. Salie Mayhem
Don't you remember her? But, la, | fol-
got, Of course you do" and she laughed
meaningly. "You know" she went on,
"everyone wondered where she and Jim
went. Well, it seems they went out west.
where Jim made money. They came back
to this state about ten years ago, and Jim
bought quite fine place not far from
Plainvile. But he lost most everything
Just before he died year ago. Deacon
Gosset said that Sallie looks so poor and
miserable. And she's got lot Of children,
30 you didn't miss much by not getting
Jim, and with another laugh Mrs Spra-
que went away.
Miss Biggs had arisen with her visitor,
and listened to her with apparent uncon-
Germ, dull red which had crept into her
cheeks being the only sign that Mrs Spra-
gue's words aroused any interest.
But when the latter had gone, she threw
herself into chair and buried her face in
her hands. tumult Of feeling took pos
session OF her, aroused by the memories
which those names had stirred up She
had not heard them for so long, and no one
but Martha Sprague would have dared