Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-03-08

In the immediate future II con.
fcssed TO my amt what had done
she might tell me TO 20 TO my husband
and suffer the consequences OF my de
cep,ion. We are all prone to put 90
all evil day. and Charlie aud con
cluded TO keep our secret and live the
lives we were living apart till such
time as we could see our way % set
up housekeeping IN It's simplest form.
II was long while before my aunt
recovered from the effects Of her nus
bands attempt sufficiently to cease
talking about II. inyeighng against
matrlmony and an occasional remark
90 me:
"lf ever catch you listening TO tue
poisoned words OF any young rascal
I'll turn you ont of the house" But
after awhile she ceased to get wrought
up over It and In time not TO speak Of
II at all
Then the old lady WAS taken with an
fitness from which she was not des
tined to recover. She had been very
good TO me and loved me very dearly
/ felt it my duty rs well as my choice
10 devote myself to her comfort. While
doing this II was impossible for me 10
meet my husband except NJ long inter.
walls and then for brief interviews. Ny
aunt was very cxaciing and Kept me
with her nearly all the while. More
over. | would not for the world have
her discover that had repaid her klud
ness To me by rejecting her wishes Tor
me and deceiving her in doing IT, So
anxious was | 10 save her this disap
polntment that pretended to ngfee
with the repugnance TO marriage she
had expressed aud declared that i
would never marry In this falsehuOd
my conscience was so0thed by men
tai reservation What meant was
that would not marry Il second time
supposed that this satisfied my dear
aunt. for she never again referred TO
the subject either generally or pertain.
ing especially TO me. But from this
time forward judged that she was
chiefly concerned for herself. for she
was failing every day. aud the affairs
of this world seemed to be receding
further and further from her. For Il
week before her death she knew thit
her end was approaching and for the
first time seemed concerned about leay-
ing me TO live alone.
One day shortly before her death she
/ said TO me: You are hooking pale and
thin am wearing the life out OF you
] wish you TO 20 out this afternoon amt
not return till II is dark"
protested that was perfectly able
| TO bear the strain and did not need nm
| outing. but she insisted on II. and since
she was IN no condition to be opposed
| ! assented was not sorry 20 he sent
out and went nj once TO a telephone
where called up Charlie and We
spent the afternoon together. did
not get back TO the sick chamber till
an hour after dark.
was met 10 the hall by the trained
nurse. who told me that my aunt was
dead.
Notwithstanding that the event was
| expected | was shocked especially
| that was away when il occurred. /
was doubly panied when the nurse toin
me that my aunt had called for me and
seemed much disturbed that | had MOI
left word whore was going. The poor
woman seemed 10 have something Of
Importance TO say 10 me before she
died that she would not contide 20 any
one else
The day after the funeral | took my
aunt's will-she had turned ii over To
me soon after being stricken by her
last illness-and in company with my
husband went 10 her attorney 10 turn
II over to him aud confess that was
| married woman and could not 10
herit under Its provisions. He looked
AT il. noticing IT'S date. signature aud
other points with that method com
mon to those Of his profession. then
going TO his safe. opened drawer.
| and. taking ont a document. brought II
| to us.
81 have later will here" he said
"a later willr' ] exclaimed. surely
that can't he. My aunt gave me this
one when she was taken III aud cannn
have made another
Nevertheless she did. and that on
the afternoon she died. ! was tee
phoned for and went to her immedi
ately. This is the result"
lie handed me bit of paper. on
which was scarcely n hundred words
leaving to me my aunt's estate without
any condition whatever ! read II and
handed II 20 Charlie Then we both
looked M each other-l through wet
eyes and Charlie took me In his arms
"What do you suppose my aunt
wished 10 say TO me before she died?
asked the lawyer presently
This will you have brought here.
he replied. "dislnheritcd you In case
you~wcre married. Your aunt wished
me 10 draw new will compelling YOU
TO marry in order to inherit under Il
suggested that II might complicat"