The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-12-10
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S'NY VIZ

Marie Richards $1,000 lOoRlDg from cue
kitchen window Of the New England farm
house that had sheltered her for the past
fifteen years Her uncle and aunt the
Winthrops. had adopted her when she was
left an orphan two years OF aye, and they
had never regretted it, for she had been
ioy and comfort to them in their nome,
while their on child, son, had brought
to them nothing but sorrow.
Mr.. Winthrop had spent his lie perfect
ing his farm, Of which he was very proud
and the thought that after his death his
son Duncan would squander it away in
very short time 50 vexed him that, after his
wife's death. he made will giving every
thing he had to his adopted daughter,
Marie, excepting 81 900 bequeathed to his
son.
The whole neighhorhoOd k"ew that snch
will had been male, but no" that the
old man was dead and hnried it ~ ~ not t"
be found, and Dnncan's name was men
toned in whispers OF fonl play.
Marie stood looking sadly upon the fields
of waving grain and watching the birds
flutter here and there. How happy they
were together. Watching them made her
realize her own loneliness, so she turned
her gaze upon the high way and saw Dun
can Winthrop approaching the house.
Presently he stood hrfole her, young
man that can be described by the one word
prohigate.
~ am going to sell the farm next week,
and came to tell you, so You can vacate
these premises. said he, while watching
the effect his words had u2ou the face be-
fore him.
"You are going to sell the farm - lie,
peatcd Marie, in a dazed way, trying to
realize all that meant for her.
eyes. need the money and must have
itn
"But where can go?'
"That Won must decide for yourself.
You have had good home here for fifteen
years, and it is about time you began to
get your own living"
''But Father Winthrop never intended
to leave me destitute. He told me that he
had made will providing for me, and it
will surely be found"
Duncan Winthrop smiled and pulled
from his pocket paper which he opened
and held up for Marie to see. 1t was not
such an elaborate affair as wills are nowa a
days, but a small sheet Of letter paper, on
which was written, in as few words as pos
sible. John Winthrop's wishes in regard to
the disposal OF his estate after his death,
and signed by three witnesses.
as that the will 2" questioned Marie, in
astonishment.
"That is the will" was the curt reply.
"Where did you get it?'
81 stole it. Do you think | would let
anyone else get possession OF it? 1t makes
all the difference in the world to me who
has it, and 10 make myself wholly safe, |
think III destroy it now" So saying, he
walked 10 the kitchen stove, where a small
fire was burning, and, placing the open
paper upon the Goals, stood and watched
the flames devour it, Marie, spellbound,
watched it also.
81 shall inform Lawy'r Ferris immed-
lately what you have done - she exclaim-
ed, as the last bit of 4 ,me flickered out.
''Will you?" returned Duncan, with
laugh, replacing the cover upon the stove.
"And how will you prove it, for shall say
/ didn't?'
"They will believe me-"
"Perhaps, but as long as you can prove
nothing | can snap my fingers at what they
believe So now you must see it will be
necessary for you to fad new lodgings very
soon" Then he left the house, and Marie
stood irresoutely watching him pass down
the road out OF sight.
Mechanically she approached the stove
and lifted the cover. There, as though
mocking her, lay the will in ashes. but
every word visible still, and she read it
through great tears rolling down her cheeks
at the words :-''I give and bequeath to
my beloved daughter, Marie Richards, the
farm and everything upon it"
Suddenly it occurred to her that il she
could preserve the ashes in as perfect a
state as they then we're it would be proof
enough to establish Duncan's guilt and
her own claim. For several minutes she
stood debating in her mind the safest way
to accomplish it, Presently, securing a
piece OF tin about the size Of the will, she
carefully slipped it under the ashes and
lifted it from the stove. So far so good ;
but it was not yet safe, for breath OF wind
or sudden jar would turn it to dust.
Smearing sheet Of white paper with
mucilage, with the help Of table knife
she gently pushed and lifted the phantom