The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-06-23
THE sources LEGACY.

~O.~~~.o.~S~~~~
"A SQUIRE GEOFFREY MAR
JNh bingham lay in the big four-post
bed, stricken down by relent-
less disease. Around him gathered a
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 bed, her eyes
full Of a 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!"
snuf1ed tall, cadaverous-lookinx
young man. in a white neckcloth, If
chapter out Of Nosey's sermons"
"Nosey be hangedv' 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 I'm to 60 into the other world
I won't be badgered out Of thisv'
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 DOS
sess will be at your service"
Get out Of my room, every one Of
you'll" sharply calculated Geoffrey
Mardingham. "Let me have a min
ute's peace and try to sleep. 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, a little impatently.
"She understands my ways-she
doesn't all 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,
q slender, soft-eyed girl, in a much.
worn suit Of some coarse material, a.
she advanced to fulfill the old mans
bidding.
"A pert upstart-and only his third
cousin at that" said Mrs. Foxley,
venomously.
'Presuming minxr' muttered the
starched maiden lady, with no more
experience than a goslingv'
"Ah," sighed Lawyer Lennox, roll
ing up his eyes, Its much to he
feared that some undue influence
Then the door shut off further COM
ment.
All that night the relatives sat ia
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 q lonely Hfe-he preferred
It.
"Go back to your work, my dear"
no said dryly. you've been a good,
attentive girl, and you will not lose
anything by It; but shall do very
well by myself now"
So Godfrey Mardingham was left
alone. And one day they shut the oil
Bun-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 rusty red wig, blue
speetacles and q grizzled beard, was
sitting At the further end of the par
Tor, with Japanned box labeled, &C.
Aardingham." ON his knee.
II suppose you are all ready to hear
the will read, ladies and gentlemen"
he said in a cracked voice. "Pleaye
excuse the bandage on my face-it's
neuralgia; and find of late that with
rheumatism and ague I don't grow
any youngeNhee, hep
NIB. fo4iey put her handkerchief
10 her eyes.
Poor, dear Geofreyr' she sighed.
sOh, 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. "AhemI
Shall / proceedr
by all means" said Mrs. Foxley's
husband, unless" with a 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
4 out ] do despisA such afrsctation.~