The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-09-02
The Wisdom of.
Miss Susan.
By CLARISgA MHCkIE,
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.


'Your Aunt Susan was a remarkable
woman Miss Molly" said tho lawyer
looking keenly at the black gowne(
young woman before him, 'nnd W,
must therefore not bc surprised thu,
sho should have made remnrkabl,
will" lilo tapped a folded documen
that lay on tho table.
Il am quito sure Aunt Susan hai
made wiso disposition OF hor proper
~. | only wish she had been spared
longer to enjoy IT," said Molly Fancher
her pretty eyes red from weeping.
"As you arc the only relative Miss
Wood had, and M your name In the
only one mentioned In her will, may
as well proceed 10 make you acquaint
Cd with its contents. Ahem!" The
lawyer unfolded the document and
held II close TO his gpectaclcd eyes as
hc read slowly and impressiyely:
II give ahd bequeath all the property
Of which | may die possessed. as per
Atems below. 10 my beloved niece. Mary
I Wood Fancher, on condition that she
does not become tho wife Of Ralph
Newcomb. II tho
stop, please" said Molly quietly
She had arisen and now stood, with
pale face and nashing eyes, beside him
"You need not finish reading tho will,
Mr.. Jones. The conditions are pre-
postcrous. can hardly believe that
my dear Aunt Susan could have asked
such thing Of me. She knew Of ny
engagement 10 Mr.. Ncwcomb und sanc,
toned t. She welcomed hlm Into the
family as a son and sobs choked
her utterance and she pressed hand.
kcrchief 10 her trembling lips.
Pray compose yourself. Miss Mol
ly," said the perturbed lawyer. "As !
said before, your Aunt Susan was Il
remarkable woman. and
THE will cannot interest me now"
said Miss Fancher grayely. II intend
to marry Mr.. Newcomb at the appoint
cd time. aud you may follow out the
terms Of the will-whatever they are.
How soon viii II be necessary for me
10 vacate tho housei"
Not under six months, as gencr.
GUS income Is provided for that period.
In case you refuse 10 comply with the
conditions Of the Will, Miss Wood has
left sealed document In my hands
which definitely disposes of the estate
Molly bowed sobcrly. Il think my
aunt must have concealed some preJu.
dice against Mr.. Newcomb. hope
am sorry Her voice faltered again,
"You are sure you are not making a
mistake, Miss Mollyf Pardon me, but
II Is large estate about million"
II don't care II Il ~ ten millions" re-
tortcd Molly. indignation drying her
tears. II would not barter my love for
any amount" She blushed warmly us
she met the lawyers honest, admlrlng
glance and drew down her black veil
Good afternoon, Mr.. Jones. ! am
quite sure you win execute my aunt's
last wishes In the same conscientious
manner that you have always handled
her interests" A 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.
tury and which had been her own
birthplace Molly Fancher's overstrain.
ed nerves gave way for the first time
since the lingering illness Of Miss
Wood had resulted In her death a
week before.
m spite OF the old lawyers repeated
requests that she should hear the terms
Of her aunt's will the grief stricken
girl had refused admittance TO Mr..
Jones until this morning, when she
had reused herself from her sorrow
and made ready to take upon herself
the responsibilities that she had been
taught to believe would be hers after
Miss Woods death.
The reading Of the will was shock
to her. The loss Of the inheritance
was as nothing compared to the knowl-
edge that her aunt had secretly cher
ished dislike II not a distrust Of
Ralph Newcomb, Molly's accepted low
er. 1t was this thought that ranked
In the girls mind all that long after
noon while she awaited his coming In
the evening.
Dear heart" he cried cheerf1y as he
entered the drawing room, 'if you shut
yourself up In this gloomy house much
longer without companionship save
that of Mrs. Rogers, why, / shall"-
He paused as he turned her face to the
soft light Of the lamp, Something un-
usual has happened, Molly. Tell me
what 1t Is"
Z She smiled bravely at him and stilled
her trembling lips. II have been to
hear Aunt Suan's win 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
cd the question that he had always
accorded when riches was topic of