The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-10-31
A CONDITION
OF THE WILL


Rose Waring last year found her
seif out Of employment. She adj
dressed envelopes. wrote advertise
meats. did mendins ana made herself
otherwise useful 70 her iandlady 70
eke out her board. She was growing
lean aud hoilow-eyed. and utterly dis
couragod, when one bleak November
day when the wind was whistling past
the hreloss chamber and the clouds
were 50 heavy she could scarcely see
the print she happened on an adver-
usement which gave her hope. An
elf gentleman living Ia the country,
who was writing a work on the scien-
tihc culture Of roses, desired the ex-
elusive services Of a typewriter and
amanuensis. The salary was good. the
locality agreeable. Miss Waring
wrote promptly to ask II a young
woman might al the ONCE a~cceptably
giving her name. age and capabilities,
and inquiring. Of course, concerning a
chaperone. The reply was satisfac.
tory. The housekeeper would act as
chaperoBe. and Mr. Milton the old
scientist, hoped Miss Warning could
make Il convenient 70 come 500
AT my age" he wrote, I'VE no
longer count BY days OF even hours"
Miss wsring telegraphed that she
would start az once. It did not take
her long 20 pack her few possessions.
and that same afternoon she was
rushing by express to her impatient
employer.
On her arrival Mrs. o'Grady. the
housekeeper, at once took her to the
room she was 70 occupy.
She was quite unprepared, on going
down 70 the evening meal, to ind the
parlor occupied by another individual,
OF whom nc mention had been made.
He was a long. thin. not especially
soodlookng man Of perhaps 80
years.
He had risen, and was placing an
armchair for her beside the cracking
wood IRE.
Miss Waring." he said easily. Il
am John Atwood, another OF Mr.. MI
tons assistants. Here are the latest
magazines. You win allow me 70 I'm
ish this article in which / am much
interested? Thanks"
He resumed his reading. and
straightway forgot all about her. In
deed. as the days went on, she saw
but little OF her fellow worker. Mr..
Atwood, she found. was illustrating
the work on rosiculture, and his time
vas fully occupied. He went out on
horseback for an early ride every day.
but he new turned up around the
grounds when she went out walking,
LEI was 70 be seen about the house
except FOR about half an hour before
tea. when he read with such ardor and
absorption that he was oblivious TO
her presence II she Glanced TO stray
into the room. Being human and
young. she could not help wishing he
would try 10 nus her, or at least
appear aware OF her existence.
Her own duties were not light She
worked ali morning and part OF the
afternoon with Mr.. Milton, writing
from his dietstiOn. Copying, correct
ing; but after four o'clock her time
Was her own. There was a good
plano In the parlor, and the old gen
tleman. who was fond Of music, insist.
ed on her practicing daily. and often
begged her to play or sing during the
evening, while Mrs. o'Grady serenely
piled her needle. Mr.. Atwood seldom
Joined them.
Nv. Millions book finally lacked but
3 few chapters for It's completion. The
chapters. In fact. were written, but he
wished 10 amplify and alter a few
pages. When this was accomplished
his great work would be done. and
he yentured 20 hope. well done.
One morning old Mr.. Milton did not
appear. The housekeeper went 10 his
room. and came down with a pale.
scared face. Mr.. Atwood rode OF IN
haste for the doctor, but the physician
could only confirm their fears. The
good old gentleman had passed away
In the night
When the funeral was over Miss
Waring began TO pack her trunk. The
dreaTy little attic in the board
ing house must be faced again and.
the battle OF life renewed. She look.
cd back upon the few weeks past as
among the happiest Of her life: but
they were over. She must not linger.
Some tears fell as she folded her shah
BY froeks and made ready for depart
ure. While thus occupied she 3
summoned 20 the library. Mr.. NH
ton's lawyer desired to see her. About
the book, she supposed.
She found the household assembled
for the reading OF the will Mr.. At.
wood placed a char for her, and she
asked In a low tone Why her presence
was necessary,
I DO not know" he answered IN the
same tone. why either Of as should
be here, but. like you. I wa requested
% come"
They had not long 10 wonder. Mr..
Milton left iegacies. important and un.
important None Of his household was