Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1899-03-02

does. And the two were sitting to-
gether one evening talking confden-
TALLY about rheumatism and its best
liniment when the door bell rang, and
tall, lean gentleman in suit OF
black was ushered into the parlor.
On counting evenings Betsy kept
herself out of the way, and only Mr.
Dumsday was present when the gen
tleman introduced himself.
Miss Cornelia Lunt, 1 believe" he
said.
eyes, SIR" said Miss Cornelia.
The gentleman bowed, handed her 8
card with sc. Dodridge, Solicitor, ;
upon it and took the seat she offered
81 understand that your respected
parents are no more, ma'am," said the
solicitor. 'They would remember
better than you do, probably, a period
OF 30 years ago when one Mr.. Noire
boarded with them"
eyes, sir" said Cornelia, growing
red in the face. "I've heard them
speak of him.
"Ah," said the gentleman, she was
very dear friend as we'll as client OF
mine. He died about two months age
in London, England. He was very
wealthy at the time of his death, and
he never forgot the extreme kindness
OF the friends of 80 years ago, who
knew him in his days of comparative
poverty. Yes, they are gone, also,
but the little girl who waited on him
so lovingly still lives. She was IL
years old at that time. I suppose !
address her?"
'No, sir" said Miss Lunt redder
than ever-as Mr.. Dumsday turned an
attentive ear to this dreadful statement
and feeling that one lie begot many
and that having fibbled in the family
Bible she must stick to it OF die
mo, sir. l was not born at that date. /"
81 have my old friends record, 3"
said Mr.. Dodridge; "18- was the date
OF his arrival here. You were one
month old then; 18- was the date Of
his departure. Plainly you were II
years of age. You attached yourself
fondly to my old friends heart,
madam.
"No, I didn't" said Miss Cornelia,
tartly. "I ought to know. never
saw him. l was born just after he
left, I've been told. There's the Bible
on the table; look at the date"
She opened the volume at the fatal
fy-leaf; the lawyer perused it slowly.
II see, | see," he said. ''Well,
well; and who was this little girl?"
Agonyof agonies! Here was another
lie needed. Mr.. Dumsday's eyes
opened widely. He listened more in
.@r+is ne looked ut the LAWYER; he
looked at the lady. She must no aalgaIiSS
and very blackly this time
''That was little adopted child, who
died." said Miss Cornelia, family.
''They didn't think they should have
any family of their own"
81 see, said the lawyer, rising -'I
see. My friend hoped she had grown
to be woman. Good day"
"And can't see why you should
come here to add to lady's age" said
Miss Cornelia. "I'm sure it's very
impolite.
"Madam," said Mr.. Dodridge, hat
in hand, 81 have an excuse; Mr.. Noire,
good old man, had left all his fortune
to that little girl. Had she lived she
would be an immense heiress. A law
yer is naturally cautious. [ paved
the way-paved the way, that is all. "
Poor Miss Cornelial She gazed at
the gentleman in utter CONSERVATION,
and he continued:
"However, some charities will be the
better for the fact; no wind but blows
some one good, after all"
He departed; Miss Cornelia bowed
him out After all, what did it mat
ter? Fortune, in the person of Mr..
Dumsday, was at her feet, and she had
saved ten years of her age in his eyes.
But, alasl what allied Mr.. Dumsday?
He had arisen; his face looked pale,
his countenance anxious. He shook
his head slowly, went to the candle
stand, folded the leaves of the family
Bible and spoke as follows;
''Cornely, from what 1 see, you're
just about 30 years of age, aren't YEP"
eyes," said Cornelia, wonderingly.
"This is trial to me, Cornely, said
Mr.. Dumsday; II know I've been to
blame if it comes to nothing, but we
must part"
'.Did you think 1 was younger?"
said Cornelia. ''Is that it?'
"No, Cornely," said Mr.. Dumsday;
''but 1 took little oath to my daugh-
ter, Jemmimy-Mrs. Nutmegs, that is
never to marry no second wife twas
under 40. People generally thinks
you rising 40, so I picked you out.
Don't make goose of yourself by
marrying a girl at your age, pa, says
Jemmimy; and she made me swear on
the Bible-she did indeed. So you
see / can't break that, and it's all up.
Good bye, Cornely. I hope l amt
spilled yer prospex. Some younger
man will"
He paused, put his handkerchief to
his eyes and turned toward the door.
"Oh!" cried Cornelia. ooh, come
back! I'll tell the truth. / am 40."
"Records camille. 1 seed it in the