North Park union., 1901-05-24

surprise she sat down and told all
that had happened since her depart
ure Soon the children were put to
bed, but Lucinda and Mrs. Graves
talked till late hour.
Early next morning Lucinda pre-
pared TO go to Aunt Elsie Litt:eton's,
as every one called her. II was quite
a little walk, but she did not mind,
for it was a lovely day. Aunt Elsie
lived alone in log house on high
hill. She was very eccentric, and
was especially. dreaded by children
who passed the house alone. She
spoke very little of herself, and all
about her impressed one that she was
in the greatest of poverty. Yet when
any one needed assistance she was
sure TO be relied upon.
Lucinda entered the kitchen door
upon receiving no response to her
rapping, and ,hastened in the front
apartment Aun: Elsie sat in a large
chair and scarcely noticed her arrival.
"Your niece sent me to care for
you till she came. DO you wish any
thing now," and Lucinda began tidy,
ing up the room. The old lady
seemed very much annoyed because
Norma did not come, bat said Very
little. She was very cross, but Sc
cretly liked Lucinda.
In about week, when Lucinda
was at the end of her patience, a let
ter came, stating that Norma would
arrive on the morrow, which she did,
greatly to Lucinda's relief. Norma
busted herself entertaining her aunt,
and seemed always anxious to hear
the story so often told of how her
aunts husband had met death at the
hands of a former suitor, hence the
secluded life. Norma prevailed on
Lucinda to stay, which she did, and
all went well till Norma's friend came
from the city.
Aunt Elsie was now walking about
ON crutches, and in one of her walks
she overheard her name spoken and
stopped. Sitting below the oyerhang
ing bushes was Norma and her friend,
and the former WAS saying, IF she
would only die, everything would be
well with us. The house and contents
will be sold, and | don't know what
is to be done ! will maintain my
position in society if / have to resort
to foul means. How / wish some ac-
cident would befall her"
Aunt Elsie hobbled into the house
aud sat down. "Foul means, ehf III
show her. Just then Norma came
to the house asking TO see some of
the old portraits, laces, jewelry etc.,
which she always pretended to admire
so much. Aunt Elsie said nothing,
but decided to watch her, aud often
noticed the sly wink to her companion.
At different times she heard express
sons which annoyed her greatly, and
when Norma announced her intention
of going to the city she did not care.
Norma noted the indifference. She
wondered if she had eyer heard her
say anything She feignei urgent
business, and even wept she felt SO
badly about leaving ''dear aunt at the
mercy of the careless neighbors"
Immediately after her departure
Aunt Elsie ordered Lucinda to har-
ness an old horse to the buggy, and
the two drove TO the station and
alighted before the lawyers door.
What took place inside, Lucinda did
not know, But in few months
from the time Aunt Elsie wis laid to
rest in the lonely cemetery, and the
Graves family received word that the
will concerned them.
Mrs. Goodbar, in expensive mourn
ing costume, Lucinda, and 4 number
of others were present The will read
similar to this:
"To my niece and only living rela-
tive, Norma Lane Goodbar, l be-
queathe the family portraits, relics,
etc, which she SO much admires. To
Lucinda Graves bequeathe the farm
of 500 acres lying west of Littleton
village; all other real estate and
personal property to be used to erect
and support charitable institution
such as committee l have appointed
see fit to establish"
After he had finished reading Nor