The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1901-12-06
Romance of a Blue Bl0tter.

the final decree had been entered. as fer
vent of purpose as feminine edition of
Longfellow's psalm of Life" Hered-
ity, her lonely childhood under the guardi-
anship OF austere Aunt Jane, and the
close pervading influence OF the Rev.
!abez Cranston, a second Whitfield in
force, if not in grace, had so brought it
about that Martha, though still young,
had never been youthful. Now, she re-
solved to take uD her stewardship with
out delay, administering the great for
tune that day transferred to her by the
trustee, Judge Marcellus, for the benefit
of mankind.
In this practical settlement of doubts
and queries as to ones real life work
there was something so uplifting that
Martha looked back with shame to the
time wasted during the summer at the
country seat of her cousin. Mrs. LIE
Nome. There pleasure had rcigned and
duty had been subject to it; there laugh
fectious laughter. especially when allied
to eyes looking bot longingly and with
confidence into ones own. Yes; but all
that had been but passing madness
Her life was real, her life was earnest;
and in that life, SO frivolous being as
Harry Main could properly have no part!
Fervent in business, therefore, Martha
went into the library that evening de-
termined to familiarize herself with the
details of her Inheritance Begin at the
very beginning, since knowledge is pow
err the Rev. Jabez had counselled; and,
accordingly, she gathered about her her
grandfa hers books and papers, not dis
when he had been found dead in his great
chair, his Bible by his side. Surely there
must be a lesson in observing how, step
by step, he had accumulated the vast
wealth Of which she was now the
almoner.
But there was disappointment for Mar
tina in these records of busy life. I'm
donbtedly there was certain inspiration
in seeing how her grandfather had strug-
gled and Saved-a poor machlnlSt, a.
length attaining the dignity Of a small!
shop. But then followed break, dis
tinct gulf between comparative penury
and the luxurious days Of the great pa!-
ments, failures, dogged efforts, all lead
ing up to success; but no, on one. page
were pennies grudgingly expended, on
the next, an expansion into entries OF
four and five figures.
1t was passing strange; but at least
she had looked for light. So e con
boxes until only the old ron-bound Bible
remained. For long years it had lain
UNDECIDED on the top shelf, waiting per
haps to deliver a message to her. WITH
some such feeling, the young woman
seated herself in the great armchair and
turned the leaves haphazard;; A broad
Writing, FILTERED to the floor. 1t was
dated sixty years before-the very dag
her grandfather had died. 1t was ad-
dressed, my dear son John'-evideutly
meaning her father, also long since gone
to his reward. Now, as il in answer to
her prayer for direction 1t had come 20
her.
With heart and mind concentrated on
the imperishable words, Martha read rs
follows:
My Dear Son John: Distant memories
come thick and close upon me tonight, ana
with power l cannot combat: Like FOO;
1 said in my heart there is no God; and SO l
have taken where l could and kept what l
Now MY enc Of IS
through this letter to YOU my SINS , nreak
awfully upon me. Know that the invea-
ton; the source, the substance a,o OF IL our our
workmen, named Peter Wray. On his
deathbed he turned over the drawings to
me, l promising to perfect and patent ms
child. The one was Ignorant, the other. an
infant, and both helpless. ! gave the WON
an a little money as charity ana sent nef
her or her little daughter. Janet, Dut TINS
the task I bequeath to you: Find, therefore,
the lawful owner OF our fOrtune,' ana make
restitution to the last penny.
1t was at dinner, the following Sun
pointed out to Martha, was providential-
~ made clear. Rev. Jabez was there as
usual. willing to relax the spirit after the
heat and burden Of the day, His re-
marks, ever edifying, covered the entire
gamut of serious subjects from astron-
omy to zoology, On nomenclature, ne
came out especially strong, defending the
old Puritan custom, unhappily somewhat
from the Scriptures "Anj yet, do you
know, Miss Martha" he said as an after
thong hit, my favorite name. at least the
favorite name of which l dare speak, IS
worldly Of origin
"And what is that?" asked Martha
hurriedly, as if avoiding the favor!te
name of which he dared not speak.
MY mothers name," replied the good
man, reverently. Janet"
name, Mr.. Cranston?
"Wray.r Her. father was, Peter Wray.
He came from these parts, I believe:
But you seem surprised, agitated, my
dear Miss Martha: have 1 unwittingly
mo, indeed" said the girl, family,
1.-The offense is all on my side. Thank
God, that the light has come to me;
thank God, that l can atone" And,
gaining strength with every breath, she
told the story of her discovery
in unmistakeable terms her intention to
turn over houses and lands and securi-
ties to him at once, if happily they would
cover the amount so long his due.
But the Rev. Jabez put Satan behind
him with a wave of his hand. .>ever,
he declared, would he take advantage
of a document, absolutely. without legal
validity. Who could say that the old
gentleman in his last hours mad not
wandered in his mind and imagined
wrong where no wrong mad been done?
''Humph," shifted Aunt Jones.
you can't help yourself" returned
Martha proudly. Il am of full age and
my own mistress. What you do with
your birthright afterward rests with
your conscience, which am sure will
not permit you to act the part Of another
Esau."
The Rev. Jabez groaned under duty's
constraint. There Is anctner way. my
dear young lady," he said, after silent
moment, whereat Aunt Jane founced
Indignantly out of the room. There
is another way" he repeated with 4 sor-
rowful glance for such desertion.f why
should we not administer this trust to-