The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-10
THE EVENING STORY
The Wisdom of Miss Susan.


lawyer. looking keenly at the black
gowned young woman before him.
land We must therefore not be sur
prised that she should have made q
remarkable WILL" He tapped fold
ed document that lay on the table.
Il am quite sure Aunt Susan has
made a wise disposition of her prop
erty; only wish she had been spared
longer to enjoy It," said Molly Fanch-
er, her pretty eyes red from weeping.
"As you are the only relative Miss
Wood had. and as your name is the
only one mentioned in her will. may
as we'll proceed to make you acQuaint-
ed with its contents; ahem!" The
lawyer unfolded the document and
held 1t close to his specialized eyes as
he read slowly and impressively:
I give and beQueath all
the property of which I may die pos
sessed. as per items below, to my be-
loved niece. Mary Wood Fancher-on
the wife of Ralph Newcomb. II the"
stop. please" said Molly quietly;
she had arisen and now stood with
pale face and flashing eyes beside him.
You need not finish reading the will.
Mr.. Jones: the conditions are pre-
posterous. I can hardly believe that
my dear Aunt Susan could have asked
such a thing of me. She knew Of my
engagement to Mr.. Newcomb and
sanctioned it; she welcomed him into
the family as a son and" Sobs
choked her utterance and she pressed
a handkerchief to her trembling lips.
pray, compose yourself, Miss Mol
w." said the perturbed lawyer; "as
said before, your Aunt Susan was a
remarkable woman. and
THE will cannot interest me now"
said Miss Fancher, gravely: ct intend
to marry Mr.. Newcomb at the APP
pointed time and you may follow out
the terms Of the will-whatever they
are. How soon will it be necessary
for me to vacate the house,"
mot under six months, as a gener-
GUS income is provided for that per-
Tod. In case you refuse to comply
with the conditions Of the will, Miss
Wood has left a sealed document in
my hands which definitely disposes Of
the estate"
Molly bowed soberly "I think my
aunt must have concealed some pre-
II am sorry@" her voice faltered
again.
you are sure you are not making
a mistake, Miss Molly-pardon me
but it is large estate-about mill
lion"
ct don't care If it is ten Millions"
retorted Molly. indignation drying her
tears; II would not barter my love for
any amount" She blushed warmly as
she met the lawyers honest admiring
glance. and drew down her black veil.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Jones, am
quite sure you will execute my aunt's
last wishes in the same conscientious
manner that you have always handled
her interests" moment later she
had passed from the building and en-
tered her waiting carriage.
When she entered the sober, old
fashioned mansion that had been the
home of Susan Wood for half a CEN
fury, and which had been her own
birthplace, Molly Fancher's over
strained nerves gave way for the first
time since the lingering illness of Miss
Wood which had resulted in her
death a week before.
In spite OF the old lawyers repeat
ed requests that she should hear the
terms of her aunts will, the grief
stricken girl had refused admittance
to Mr.. Jones until this morning, when
she had reused herself from her sor-
row and made ready to take upon her
self the responsibilities that she had
been taught to believe would be hers
after Miss Woods death.
The reading of the will was a shock
to her; the loss of the inheritance was
as nothing compared to the knowledge
that her aunt had secretly cherished q
dislike, il not distrust, of Ralph
Newcomb. Molly's accepted lover. It
was this thought that ranked in the
girls mind all that long Afternoon while
she awaited MS coming III the evening.
Dear heart" he cried cheerily as
he entered the drawing room, eff you
shut yourself up in this gloomy house
much longer. without companionship
save that of Mrs Rogers-why. I
shall" He paused as he turned
her face to the soft light of the lamps.
Something unusual has happened,
Molly, tell me what it is
She smiled bravely at him and still
ed her trembling lips. II have been
to hear Aunt Susan's will read" she
said slowly.
"well?" Molly found herself listen
ing for some note of anxiety or even
unusual interest in his tone as he ask
ed the question that he had always ac-
corded when riches was a topic Of
conversation. and she sighed relieved
she leaves everything to me-condi-
tionally.
THAT / do not marry you:' The softly
uttered words startled him strangely. His
arms lcosened their hold UPON her and
you Garnet mean it-thcre must be
some mistake, Molly" he said gravely;
Miss Wood surely did rot distrust -he
strange"
IT can scarcely believe 1. Of Aunt
of poverty DOW ana You are poor-and / viii
be poor With t you anH we YAH live in that
tenderly. You have made your de-
cision?' he asked
"Yesv
do you know what you IRE giving
up?"
IT am only sorry that 7 am bringing
you nothing but love. dear" she said
earnestly.
1--WE can get along that" he said
grimly, with few little a ided frlls N
the way of meat and drink that may be
able to worry out of the editors: butt
isn't fair to you, darling-to leave all
4 t. 1<>.ly oA oh rf.,II e.
nIshed room and then back into her eyes.
You cannot believe that really love
you, Ralph she murmured protestingly.
IT do now, sweetheart he said kissing
Ter lips reverently. and then, a few mo-
ments later, he added: IT shall prove my
trust in your love. Mo!iy-will you marry
mo once-fhiS week