The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-04-27
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awkward Mistake
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She checked herself, but her eyes
We're brimming over with tears, and
her lip quivering.
Il do wish you wouldn't make such
a baby Of yourself" said Mrs. Ayles-
ford.' sharply. Look the matter
straight in the face at once; you will
have to do so, sooner or later. Mr..
Aylesford finds by an examination of
all the papers your deceased father
has left'-Juliet shuddered involunta-
rily, as if some cruel hand had been
laid on an exposed nerve-"that all the
property you will inherit amounts to
only hundred or two of dollars. and
you will at once be compelled to do
something to earn an honest living.
Mr.. AyleSford and certainly shall not
support you. Captain Dallas must
have been improvident and extrava-
CANT to the last degree not to"
But Juliet's pallid face and upraiSed
hand checked Mrs. Aylesford's further
speech.
Hush" the orphan cried. passion
ately,. You shall not cast the shadow
of one reproachful word upon my dear,
dead fathers memory. He was too
noble and too good for one like you to
comprehend his nature! He"
But here she stopped. the breath fut-
tering On her lips like a wounded
bird.
Upon my wordr' Mrs. Aylesford
calculated. bristling up and turning
scarlet. Il might have expected this
impertinence. but 1 will not endure it
from penniless beggar like you! Go
to your room at once. Juliet Dallas,
and remain there until / and Mr..
Aylesford have had time to talk over
this very extraordinary and unlocked
for state of things"
And Juliet obeyed. weeping in soli-
tude the bitterest tears that she, a ten
der fathers spoiled darling, had ever
known.
Not until the next day did Mr.. and
Mrs. Montague Aylesford deign to an
nounce their final decision in the mat.
! ter.
There is lady here said the for
mer, sonorously clearing his throat,
who wants a well bred and ladyllke
young person. not altogether without
| education, to take charge Of her four
little girls. The wages-ahem. mean
1,n Of OF
first. but the position is unexception-
ably genteel, and l think, my dear"
with sidelong glance at his wife.
that our young relative could scarcely
do better than to accept it,
But Juliet shook her head with quiet
dignity.
Il do not think" she said. that
papa would have been willing Cor me
to assume menial place"
Mrs. Aylesford rolled up her small.
blue eyes in holy horror and elevated
her hands to correspond.
"A menial place! Your papa, Well,
I should like to know what some peo.
pie expect! But you won't live upon
Mr.. Aylesford and myself-that 1 can
promise you
81 would die sooner than eat a NOR
sci Of your bread Juliet answered,
| defiantly.
''Its great deal easier to talk about
dying than it is to die"' said Mr.
Aylesford, acidly. And what, may !
ask, do you propose to do:"
Il don't know" Juliet said growing
pale as the utter loneliness of her po-
sition flashed itself upon her. Papa
telesraphed last week to My Uncle
Richard"
Exactly so" interrupted Mr.. Ayles
ford, with . countenance OF intense re-
lief. Your Uncle Richard, to be sure
the very person to take charge Of
you. Only supposed he was off some
! where OIL the other siGe of the globe"
Juliet supposed so. TOO. especially as
| no answer Lad as Yet arrived to the
summons Of the dying man, but she
said nothing. only stood with dropping
head, clasped hands and lily-pale face.
At this very moment the door swung
swiftly open. and L short. stout man.
with shining bald head and 4 bronZed
face. strobe into the room.
"Ha. my niece" he said, abruptly.
''And my Cousin Aylesford and her
husband. So poor Digby has gone ell?
I But couldn't get here an hour sooner
I've travelled day and night-day and
night
AS he spoke the words he took Juliet
unceremoniously in his arms and
kissed her.
Il know by experience, my dear" he
said, i'll tone gentler than his brown
face and brusque manner would lead
one to anticipate, what it is to be left
an orphan, but in your case you have
the advantage of wealth to smooth the
road of life. was poor"
| 'Eh" cried Mr.. Ayiesford.
"Mr. Richard Dallas is quite mista-
KEN" said Mrs. Aylesford. tossing her
head and smoothing down an invisible
crease in her black silk dress. cousin
Digby died without leaving"
HE died leaving fortune Of hun
dred thousand dollars to this GIRL" in