The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-04-07


Dear mel dear mel" until the house
was reached. AT the door they met
the doctor.
How is she?" whispered the squire.
The doctor drew down his mouth
and shook his head decisively.
Just hanging on by will power. |
guess Jessup said something to her
about her property and it upset her.
He's inside now. There's no hope.
You'd better hurry in"
Cant nothing be done?" begged
the squire.
Nothing" discouraged the doctor.
"All we can do is to make her last
moments easy"
"Ill do anything" whispered the
squire.
"All you can do is to say whatever
will please her, so she can die in
peace" explained the doctor.
With soft tread the squire entered
the sitting-room, where Jessup sat
ruefully in the corner, and without
needing the storekeeper passed to the
sick room.
Mrs. Peevy was moaning family. AS
he entered she smiled sadly.
well; Nelly" he whispered, II
thought We was going to try to git
WELL"
NO" she murmured; 81 might have
hung on a day longer, but when Jes-
sup said there wasn't any estate 1
seemed to sink mighty fast. l was
reconciled to go when l believed l was
a heir, as it amt so bad to die and
leave property. But to be fooled like
this and to die and leave nothing is
too much. If I'd only passed out yes
terday when l believed l was really
a heir
"Er-why, We be, amt We, Melly?"
stammered the squire, brokenly,
vaguely remembering the doctors adj
monition. 'I'm-Tm the executor.
guess l ought to know"
"Oh, squire" she whispered, joyous
ly; then there is an estate and l can
die happy! How much is it?"
He averted his honest old eyes. To
lie at that moment was sacrilege.
How much am l worth, squirrel"
she insisted, plucking at his sleeve.
But it would make her last mo-
ments happy, and to gain time in
which to determine the total, he
asked, shamefacedly: Guess"
AS much as $1,000" she pleaded.
-Four hundred" he replied, firmly.
h1Jn -Ia
| am at peace. l can pass out calm
and contented." And her hands were
folded in resignation.
The squire motioned to the doctor.
She's going" whispered the doc.
tor.
Mrs. Peevy slowly closed her eyes
and then opened them quickly and
settled her fat chin in determination.
I'm going to git WE'LL" she de-
clared, and there was new strength
in her tone. 81 ought to be up and
well with such legacy to live on. l
owe it to you, squire, to live"
"She is going to git we'll" cried the
squire softly to those in the outer
room. Her pulse is stronger and
the doctor says she will recover. 1
feel like a two-year-old."
Jessup breathed deep in relief and
observed: Then my hurting out
the truth about her legacy didn't hurt
her any?"
The squire desisted from his lively
manners and rubbed his forehead in
perplexity, and the lines about his
mouth heightened. For the first time
he recalled what he had said to ease
Der last moments He had told her
the value of the estate and he was one
who never changed his words AS he
reviewed it quickly his jaw set and
turning to Jessup he growled: She's
worth $500, and will live to enjoy it,"
Great Scott" mumbled Mr.. Chr
rier. Then her calling in a LAWYER to
make her will was we'll thought Of"
Lawyer? WHIP" gasped the squire.
i know nothing of all this"
"Yas," explained Mr.. Currier grave.
ly; believe she had willed her
to a member of my family.
ohS II plOudDly let IL stand Rut |
she does or don't, she'll al.
ways have a home here"
The storekeeper grinned malicious.
~ as he informed: You're mistook
Old neighbor. I talked with her law.
yer this morning. If she'd passed ont
ner property would have gone to the
squire
The old squire turned in the door.
way in amaze. Then his ewes grew
tender as he faced the sick room, A
sacrifice was sacrifice, and s4oO |
would be sadly missed. But she had
remembered the friend of her voutb
and her gift had been planned in ali
sincerity. He Strengthened his sturdy
shoulders as if to shake clear the
years and blew his nose
oudly. Then motioning the store.
Keeper into the yard he brusuuelv do.
handed; How much will Won give
or those two hosses?"
What I've always been willing r.
give, returned the storekaener
Five hundred dollars "
Have the money ready to.morrov, i,