Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1905-01-12
THE SQUIlE'S LEGACY.


No~-~~-o~~~~o~~~
~ SQUIRE GEOFFHEY MAR
Jrh bingham lay in the big four-post
bed, stricken down by a relent-
less disease. Around him gathered
number Of relatives, for in his hard
life he had accumulated a large for
tune, and each wanted it.
Mrs. FoXley, his eldest sister, a
plump and gorgeously dressed matron,
sat near the head Of the Led, her eyes
/ full Of i tender concern.
Dear Godfrey" she murmured, 81
hope you are better now. Please allow
George to battle your forehead with
that bay water"
Il won't" growlel the interes ting
invalid, quite tartly.
My dear and venerable cousin"
snuttied a tall, cadaverous-lookins
young man, in white neckcloth, IF
Il chapter out Of NOsey's sermons"
"Nosey be hanged" sharply uttered
Old Squire Mardin CHAM, with an
! emphasis which proved that there was
yet some vitality about him. Clear
out, the whole tribe and generation Of
you, If I'm to go into the other word
| won't be badgered out Of this"
IF there should be any aid | could
give you in your legal affairs, ny dear
COUSIN began 4 fat man with sleek,
! black hair and keen, ferret like eyes,
Il am sure any little knowledge l pos
sess will be at your service"
Get out of my room, every one of
YOU" sharply calculated Godfrey
! Mardingham. Let me have a min
ute's peace and try to sleep. l tell you
your chatter makes me mad
And leave you alone, brother?"
demonstrated Mrs. Foxley, sweetly.
Naomi Bruce shall stay with me-"
said the Squire, q little impatientl.g.
She understands my ways-she
doesn't ill my ears with senseless
c!ack! Come here, Naomi, and sit by
| my bedside; you, at least, can keep
! still"
The assembled relatives glanced
with unfriendly eyes at Naomi Bruce,
q slender, soft-eyed girl, in much
worn suit Of some coarse material, as
she advanced to fulfill the old mans
! bidding.
a pert upstart-and only his third
cousin at that" said Mrs. Foxley,
venomously.
"Presuming MINK muttered the
starched maiden lady. with no more
experience than a gOsling"
"Ah,' sighed Lawyer Lennox, roll
! ing up his eyes, its much to be
! feared that some undue influence
Then the door shut off further COM
ment.
Al that night the relatives sat in
! the adjoining room waiting to hear of
/ their rich relatives death; but old
! Squire Mardingham had more endur-
Gnce than they had any idea OF. He
rallied, and for this time they went
home outwardly rejoicing, but in real
! ity sorely discounted. Naomi Bruce
alone remained by the old mans side
! But even this arrangement was not
for long. Godfrey Mardingham had
always led a lonely life-he preferred
It.
GO back to your work, my dear"
he said dryly. you've been a good,
attentive girl, and you will not lose
anything by it; but l shall do very
well by myself now"
! SO Godfrey Mardingham was left
alone And one day they shut the old
sun-warped shutters, and hung SOM
| Der streamcrs Of black crepe on the
door, and when the relatives arrived
the funeral was over, and little old
lawyer, with a rusty red wig, blue
sitting at the further end Of the par
Tor, with a japanned box labeled &c.
Mardingham," on his knee.
Il suppose you are all ready to hear
the will read, ladies and gentlemen"
he said in a cracked voice. Please
excuse the bandaSe on my face-it's
neuralgia; and l find Of late that with
rheumatism and ague | don't grow
any younger-hee, he"
Mrs. Fo1lcy put her handkerchief
to her eyes.
Poor, dear Godfrey" she sighed.
"Oh. go on, Mr.. -
MIR. Peckham, OF the firm of Peck
ham & Marble"
II thought Mr.. Peckham was
young man." said the disciple Of Rev.
Nehemiah Nosey.
so he was ten years ago." said
the cracked voice lawyer ''Ahem.
Shall proceed?"
by all means" said Mrs. Foxley's
husband, unless" with severe
glance at the corner where poor
Naomi Bruce sat, that young woman
would prefer to defer the proceedings
little while longer, while she cries
h out. I do desDise such affectation"