Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1908-08-01
The WUd0m of
Miss Susan.
BY CLARISSA MACKIE.
Copyrighted, 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

woman, Miss Molly" said the lawyer,
looking keenly at the black gowned
young woman before him, "and we
must therefore not be surprised that
she should have made a remarkable
will" He tapped a folded document
that lay on the table.
81 am quite sure Aunt Susan mas
made a wise disposition Of her proper
ty. only wish she had been spared
longer to enjoy It," said Molly Fancher'
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, l may
as well proceed to make you acquaint-
ed with its contents. Ahem! Inc
lawyer unfolded the document ana
held 1t close to his specialized eyes rs
he read slowly and impresslvely:
81 give and bequeath all the property
OF which I may die possessed, as per
items below, to my beloved niece, Mary
Wood Fancher, on condition that she
does not become 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 VIII,
J Mr.. Jones. The conditions are pre-
posterous. can hardly believe that
my dear Aunt Susan could have asked
such thing Of me. She knew of my
engagement to Mr. Newcomb and sane
toned 1t. She welcomed him into the
family as Il son and Sobs choked
her utterance, and she pressed hand
kerchief 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 grayely. Il Intend
to marry Mr. Newcomb at the appoint
ed time, and you may lol4o" ou' 'NN
terms OF the wii-"hate'ei 'ney "lo
How soon will It be necessary for INC
to vacate the houseT
Not under six months, as gener
Gus income Is provided tor thal peii iou
In case you refuse 10 comply VIZ sa' '
conditions of the will, Miss WOOD ha'
left Il sealed document III ni' -
which definitely disposes oi 'ne ,a,' So, ~,
Molly bowed soDeri'. at,,
aunt must have conceaieu soiie pi''0
dice against Mr.. Newcoino. hope-
am sorry iiei W. -,
you P~sure you are no' nA q,
Inmate, Miss Moilyt Faruon .ue, ~
" sseI large estate on1,i = llli''rV.,'
NJ ca e y. - ~ lr ~
torted Molly, indiE>1n Crying nei
taars III would not barter my love 1or
any amount" She blushed, warmly as
abe met the lawyers honest, admlrlng
glance and drew down her black veil
Good afternoon, Mr.. Jones. l ah
quite sure you will execute my aunt D
| last wishes in the same Conscientious
manner that you have always haluicu
her interests" moment later she
had passed from the building ana eh-
tered her waiting carriage -,
| When she entered the sober, oio
] fashioned mansion that had been the
homo Of Suaan Wood for half cen
| tury and which had Deeh hei ~"
birthplace Molly Fancher's overstrain
ed nerves gave way for the hrst tiln'
since the lingering illness OF MIS-
Wood had resulted In her uea'n
week before.
In spite Of the old lawyers repeate'
requests that she should hear the terln'
Of her aunt's will the griet s%tricSel %
girl had refused aoinlttan0o " 49,
Jones until this morning, Wheh sh'
had reused herself from ner soiior
and made ready to take upon nersei
the Responsiveness 'nuC 9"' - sto
taught to believe would De nerS "i'e
Miss Woods death.
The reading Of the VIII was snocI
to her. The loss OF the lnnell'"n1
was as nothing compared 10 the Niio"
edge that her aunt had secrety cnei
: ished a dislike II not ulstrus', y
Ralph NewcomD, Molly ac0ep1eu ~
er. 1t was this thought that rahkle
in the girls mind all that long al'el
noon while she awaited his coming
the evening.
Dear heart" he cried cheeriiy as
! entered the drawing room, III you sn'
yourself up in this gloomy house ihuc
longer without companionship say
: that Of Mrs. Rogers, why, shall
He paused as he turned her face 10 u
soft light Of the lamp. Something u
usual has happened, Molly. Tell n
what it is."
She smiled bravely at him and stiii'
her trembling lips. Il have been
| 1rNf NtIO