The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-05-30

ward that of her husband. and, Incl.
dentally. to herself. would be perform.
ed In manner suitable and advanta-
geous to all concerned.
In the event of the Earl Of Caring.
ten declining such union. the fortune
OF the testatrix was to 20 entirely to
her niece. Florence Rodney.
MIS-. Rodney was in feverieh glow
BY the time she had grasped the pur-
port Of this sisterly letter. It was 80
evident that the Countess of Caring
ton was striving to perpetuate her own
tough personality as far as possible for
her condition when she became q dis.
embodied lady Of title that the benefit
which would accrue to the Rodneys
did not stir any very sisterly gratitude
in Mrs. Rodney. But the benefit was
obvious She would be the mother of
countess. che would have an income of
go. 600 and Rose would have q pretty
prospect for girl as attractive as her
eelf Mrs. Rodney's wild fancy set her
at once to murmuring such phrases in
her small mind az my daughter, the
Countess of Darlington. I expect to
come over this summer. She even
went SO far as to picture herself as the
grandmother Of little Lord This and
little Lady That 1t was Intoxicating
reverie. But as the young Arabian
gentleman upset the splendid fortune
he had won. in his minds eye. from
the sale Of his glassware by kicking the
glass to smithereens in an imperious
moment Of opulent disdain, 90 Mrs
Rodney's large balloon Of pride was
pricked when the thought arose that all
this glory was contingent on her
daughters consent to the proposed mar
riage That she would not be too docile
In the matter she had a sure premoni-
ticn. But since the astute old countess
had made the peace and comfort and
respectability Of herself anG Rose de-
pendent on the decision Of Florence,
there was hope she might be 'reason-
able. Florence was not sentimental
girl and was clear headed enough. Even
Mrs. Rodney could not charge her eld-
est daughter with selfshness. Here was
room for heroic self sacrifice.
When her daughter returned from a
good spin on her Wheel Mrs. Rodney
bad had time to think it out. After
luncheon she said impressively "I
have received q letter which will eur
prise You ALL The Countess of Caring
ton Is deadl''
The family received the news with
different degrees of calm. Rose. az the
youngest. was the most impressed.
Miss Rodney was not impressed at all
and Uncle Josiah only gave q grunt.
"Awful blow to lose our titled rela-
tivei" he sneered. $50 Sudden and such
q warm hearted womani''
''Josiah. we must not forget that she
was our sister. said Mrs. Rodney, with
an air Of propriety
'Tt's only due to good memories that
we know it." observed the old man
brusquely
"She may have been little worldly
and certainly did not show much
thought Of Us. assented Mrs Rodney.
"But she has done very we'll by us in
her will
Uncle Josiah looked up incredulously.
1t irritated the old man to see Mrs.
Rodney swelling with the importance
OF something to communicate, especially
when he was keen to know it.
''Umphl What has che done?
"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. 1t meant freedom and
living her own life. Despite herself.
she beamed joyously.
"Rose and ] are disinherited. are
wef' chuckled Uncle Josiah sarcas.
tically.
II suppose she knew l would look
after Rose, and probably she felt that
her sister would be in position to be
Of great help to her. " said Mrs Rodney
automatically
"When do we get it. mamma 2" ask.
ed Mics Rodney. with fat directness.
Poor Mrs. Rodney's heart failed her
at what she had to say. But IL must
be said and now was as good a time as
any. when her daughter seemed pleased
at the prospect of such independent
means. Josiah Gardner looked ut her
with his sharp, twinkling brown eyes
He was we'll preserved man for his
years and took the most active interest
in things
1.-The countess. Mrs Rodney began.
with a sigh.
"Oh. bother! calculated Uncle
Josiah.
Josiah exclaimed Mrs Rodney
with a weak queru!cusness of acc, t..
turning little. like the goaded WORE
"Have some respect for your sister,
Which sister was not specified 1h.
old man stuck out his chin AMI loo 90
impatient. He refrained from sayir"
anything. rs he really wanted to- l." y
quickly what had been done lie sn~
pected that "the countess would have