The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-14
MISS THORNE'S WILL.

Lawyer Northbrooke had just driver
away from Glenthorne, and Elizabe;l
! Everill stood for a moment on tn
broad terrace and then, with a sigh
turned and entered the house. Onl.
| that day her aunt, Miss Matildi
Thorne had been buried, and Mr.
Northbrooke had come down from Lonlor
TO read the dead woman's will. II wa
simple enough, and those who had know
Miss Thorne intimately hardly wondered a
its wording:
TO my niece. Elizabeth Everill, provided
she marry man OF title, 1 will and he
queath all my worldly possessions
And if do not marry?" Miss Everili
had asked.
You retain your inheritance the law
yer answered with a smile. Miss Thorne
drew Up the will herself. and I. is deficient
on that point"
Elizabeth was thinking Of a scene that
had taken place there just five years be-
fore.
Some old paintings had been sadly in
HtGl Oh dlAtnAlbl NlllN VAAs "
hand could give. and Miss Thorne had
beard Ralph Crosby favorabiy spoken Of
and had asked him to do the work. EliZ-
aheth had been much in the long portrait
gallery while Ralph Crosby talked and
painted, and at length he had forgot
ten that he was only struggling artist
and she the niece of the wealthiest woman
in the country. and had spoken his love.
Miss Everill could still remember the
naughty stare and mocking smile OF her
aunt when she spoke of her love for
Ralph.
Marry this, young man il you will, but
not one farthing of mine will be yours.
And the girl had lain awake until day
break thinking of poverty. for which she
had such a horror. until at last she was
resolved to answer NO" to her lover 8
pleading.
And now-and now" she said to her
self. while the shadows grew deeper in
the corners of the wide library. ian in
surmountable barrier divides us" She
clasped her hands tightly. and, with eyes
that were dimmed by tears. gazed into the
glowing embers. "Oh, Aunt Matilda, your
very kindness is but cruelty. / wonder
where Ralph is now? oh, / almosi. wish
l were poor girl today. And yet, Io-I
couldn't bear that
Elizabeth heard Ralph Crosby's name
mentioned several times later, when she
went to London. He was occupied upon a
work that was TO make name for him,
some said. Others limited that he was ill.
and Miss Everill wondered that her heart
beat so quickly at the sound of ais name.
In such mood she was going one night
TO n great ball given by one Of the most
fashionable women in London. Lord Ar
thur would be there. and probably she
would say Yes" 60 his pieadings that
night.
"Six years ago!" she muttered. "six
years and moro since the day Ralph Cros-
by said"
She turned away. Now and again feel
ing came over that she could not under
stand-a feeling that her wealth and her
beauty were not to bring her happiness,
and she had grown impatient with herself
for feeling so. Generally. at such time $
she was even gayer than usual, and when,
some hours later Lord Arthur sat by her
side in q convenient recess in Lady Jaye-
nelIs conservatory, he felt that he could
almost die for her.
Elizabeth" he whispered. SAY Yes. - q"
and just then the sound of voices reached
them.
And Crosby, the artist you know. is
blind"
''Blind?"
quite. He consulted Reynolds yester-
day: his case is hopeless"
Miss Ererill rose.
Lord Arthur. / hope you will never
speak to me like this again
Very early on the following morning Miss
Eyerilrs carriage stopped at Ralph Cros-
by's chambers, and Elizabeth was inform
ed that he was at home. She gave no
name, but entered the room where he was.
Ralph"
1t was voice that he had not heard for
six long years, but he recognized it at
once, and turned his sightless eyes toward
her.
Elizabeth" he cried. rapturnusly. OPEN
ing his arms. and in AN instant she was
folded in them.
What fools women are was what the
old lawyer said on being apprised of it,
and he drew large envelope from among
a number of papers that were In a large
box before him. II WIS addressed, in Miss
Thorne's very masculine csIigraphy. TO
himself and written in one corner we're the
words:
ITO be opened in the event of my niece's
marriage"
Inside was a VIII. properly E:ss:ad and
witnessed and the old lawyers face cleared
as he glanced at it. There was also an
open letter. addressed to Miss Everll.
III you have sold yourself my niece.
take the price, OF your slavery. II you
have been honest enough TO marry for love.
take your reward. In either case, Glen
thorne is yours
Heaven bless me-" the lawyer eX-
claimed. Heaven bless me. THERE'S no
a wOman' I'm heartily
glad anyhow: and now / must 20 and tell
these two that they won't be beggars after
all ''-Cincinnat Commercial Tribune.