The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-01-07
THE SQU|2E'S Legacy.
~No~Noo~~~

"a SQUIRE GODFREY MAR
JEn bingham lay in the big four-post
bed, stricken down 10y relent-
less disease. Around him gathered a
number Of relatives, for in his hard
life he had accumulated large for
tune, and each wanted it.
Mrs. FoXley, his eldest sister, a
plump and gorgeously dressed matron,
sat near the head Of the bed, her eyes
full Of 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" growled the interesting
invalid, quite tartly.
MY dear and venerable cousin!''
snuffied tall. cadaverous-looking
young man, in white neckcloth, IF
a chapter out of Nosey's sermons-''
"Nosey be hangedr' sharply uttered
old Squire Mardingham, with an
emphasis which proved that there was
yet some vitality about him. Clear
out, the whole tribe and generation of
you! If Pm to go into the other world
l won't be badgered out Of this!'
IF there should be any aid l could
give you in your legal affairs, my dear
cousin" began a fat man with sleek,
black hair and keen, ferret like eyes,
Il am sure any little knowledge pos.
enSo will ho of UOt1r.
"Get out Of my room, every one of
your sharply CALCULATED Godfrey
Mardingham. LET me have min
ute's peace and try to sleep. 1 tell you
your chatter makes me mad"
And leave you alone, brother?'
demonstrated Mrs. Foxley, sweetly.
Naomi Bruce shall stay with me, y
said the Squire, a little impatiently.
''She understands my ways-she
doesn't fill my ears with senseless
clack! Come here, Naomi, and sit by
my bedside; you, at least, can keep
STILL
The assembled relatives glanced
with unfriendly eyes at Naomi Bruce,
slender, soft-eyed girl, in a 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,
yenOmously.
Presenting MINK muttered the
starched maiden lady, with no more
experience than goslingv'
''Ah," sighed Lawyer Lennox, roll
ing up his eyes, ''it's much to be
feared that some undue influence"
Then the door shut off further CON-
ment
All that night the relatives sat in
the adjoining room waiting to hear Of
their rich relatives death; but old
Squire Mardingham had more endur-
ance 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 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 streamers of black crepe on the
door, and when the relatives arrived
the funeral was over, and a little old
lawyer, with a rusty red wig, blu.
spectacles and grizzled beard, was
sitting at the further end of the par
lor, with japanned box labeled, &c.
Mardingham," on his knee.
II suppose you are all ready to hear
the will read, ladies and gentlemen
he said In cracked voice. please
excuse the bandage on my facets
neuralgia; and find of late that with
rheumatism and ague 1 don't grow
any younger-hee, he!'
MIS-. rOAley put uer nanuKercn1ef
to her eyes.
Poor, dear Geoffreyv' she sighed.
"Oh, 60 on, Mr.. -"
"Mr. Peckham, of the firm Of Peck
ham & Marble"
II thought Mr.. Peckham was a
young man." said the disciple Of Rev.
Nehemiah Nosey.
$50 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
4 little while longer, while she cries