Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-07-18

When her daughter returned from
good spin on her wheel. Mrs. Rodney
had had time to think it out. After
luncheon she said impressively: II
have received letter which will sur
prise you all. The Countess Of CARING
ton Is deadl'
The family received the news with
different degrees Of calm. Rose, IA the
youngest. was the most impressed.
Miss Rodney was not impressed at all
and Uncle Josiah only gave grunt
lawful blow to lose our titled rela-
4 tivel' he sneered. $50 sudden and such
q warm hearted womanl"
"Josiah, we must not forget that she
was our sister, " said Mrs Rodney, with
an air Of propriety.
''It's only due to good memories that
we know it." observed the old man
brusquefy.
''Ehe may have been n little worldly
and certainly did not chow much
thought Of us. assented Mrs. Rodney.
'tBut she has done very well by Us In
her will"
Uncle Josiah looked up incredulously.
It irritated the old man to see Mrs.
Rodney swelling with the Importance
Of something to communicate, especially
when he was keen to know it.
''Umphi What has che done3"
''She has left her money to Florence.
and an income for life to me-" replied
his sister.
Miss Rodney did look somewhat
moved at this. It meant freedom and
living her own life. Despite. herself.
she beamed joyously.
''Rose and l are disinherited, are
wet" chuckled Uncle Josiah sarcas.
tically.
II suppose she knew l would looA
after Rose, and probably she felt that
her sister would be in position to be
Of great help TO her. said Mrs Rodney
automatically.
'tWhen do we get 1t. mammal" ask
ed Miss Rodney, with fat directness.
Poor Mrs. Rodney's heart failed hel
at what she had to say. But 1t must
be said and now was as good time as
any, when her daughter seemed pleased
- tbs prospect of such indepeaden.
dreams 5oeiah Gardner looked at hel
With his sharp, twinkltng brown eyes.
ne was well preserved man for hi
years and took the most active interes,
IN things.
"The countess. Mrs. Rodney began.
with sigh.
"oh. botherl'' CIRCULATED Uncl,
Josiah.
"Josiahi" exclaimed Mrs. Rodney.
with weak querulousness of accent,
turning little, like the goaded worm.
"Have some respect for your sisterI"
| Which sister wac not specified. The
old man stuck out his chin and looked
impatient. He RETAINED from saying
anything, as he really wanted to know
quickly what had been done. He sus.
pected that .'the countess" would have
some string tied to her generous dispo-
sition of her wealth.
'She makes this conditional on Flor
ence's marrying the present Earl Of
Darlington within year." the poor
lady said with as little faltering as pos
eible.
Uncle Josiah leaned back and let off
q dry, cackling laugh. There was no
doubt about the real merriment In II,
however.
,'Is that allY" he inquired. "Let me
see the letter. That's the quickest way
of understanding the thing"
Mrs. Rodney reluctantly passed 1t
over to him. She etole glance at her
daughters face. Miss Rodney was
breathing quickly and did not give a
very good imitation Of a young lady
tickled at prospective counteeship.
Mr.. Gardner read the cold, dry, but
perfectly lucid letter which laid bare to
his mind the purpose and aim Of the
defunct Countess Of Darlington. He
hRltAhaa cheerfully 70 lmpsst ia i'm
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