The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-08-18
The Wisdom of
Mss Susan.
BY CLARISSA MAcKIE.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

looking keenly at the black gownet
young woman before him, "and We
must therefore not be surprised thai
she should have made a remarkable
will" He tapped a folded document
that lay on the table.
Il am quite sure Aunt Susan has
made a wise disposition of her proper
ty. l 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, may
as well proceed to make you acquaint-
ed with its contents Ahemw The
lawyer unfolded the document and
held it close to his specialized eyes as
he read slowly and impressively:
Il give and bequeath all the property
of which 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. If 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. 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 it. She welcomed him into the
family as a son and Sobs choked
her utterance, and she pressed hand
kerchief to her trembling lips.
pray compose yourself, Miss Mol
ly," said the perturbed lawyer. "As
said before, your Aunt Susan was a
remarkable woman, and
1.-THE viii cannot interest me now"
said Miss Fancher gravely. Il intend
to marry Mr. Newcomb at the appoint
ed time, and you may follow out the
terms of the will-whatever they are.
How soon viii 1t be necessary for me
to vacate the housew
Not under six months, as a gener-
GUS income is provided for that period.
conditions of the will, Miss Wood has
left a sealed document in my hands
which definitely disposes of the estate" "
Molly bowed soberly. Il think my
aunt must have concealed some preju-
dice against Mr. Newcomb. | hope
l am sorry Her voice faltered again.
You are sure you are not making a
mistake, Miss Molly? Pardon me, but
1t Is a large estate-abOut a million"
81 don't care If it is ten Millions" re-
torted Molly, Indignation drying her
tears. Il 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. l am
quite sure you will execute my aunt's
last wishes in the same conscientious
manner that you have always handled
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 cen
fury 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
In spite of the old lawyers repeated
requests that she should hear the terms
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 a dislike if not 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 cheerily 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 I'M
usual has happened, Molly. Tell me
what it is"
She smiled bravely at him and stilled
her trembling lips. II have been to
hear Aunt Susan's viii read" she said
slowly.
sWell7" 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
accorded when riches was topic of
conversation, and she sighed relievedly.
"She leaves everything to me-condi
tionally."
"And the conditioner
L
softly uttered words startled him
strangely. His arms loosened their
hold upon her and dropped to his sides
"You cannot meant 1t. There must be
some mistake, Molly" he said grayely;
Miss Wood surely did not distrust the
quality Of my love for you. 1t is very
strange"
81 can scarcely believe 1t of Aunt
Susan, but, Ralph. dear, l am not
afraid of poverty. and you are poor
and / will be poor with you, and we
will live In that delightful studio build
mgr
Newcomb gathered her into his arms
tenderly. you have made your de
cision?" he asked.
"Yesw
"Do you know what you are giving
upT
Il am only sorry that / am bringing
you nothing but love, dear" she said
earnestly.
Eve can get along on that" he said
grimly, with few little added frills
In the way OF meat and drink that
may be able to worry out Of the edi-
tors, butt isn't fair to you. darling
to leave all this He looked about
the richly furnished room and then
back into her eyes.
"You cannot believe that really
love you, Ralph" she murmured pro
testingly.
81 do now, sweetheart" he said
kissing her lips reverently, and then
a few moments later, he added, Il
shall prove my trust in your love
Molly-will you marry me at once
this week."
Eyes. Ralph" she said.
1t was perhaps six months later that
LAWYER Jones mounted the last lOne