The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-03-03
AUNT TlRZAH
BY JACK LAYTON.
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ua her couch chair
Il don't understand you, Julie. she
said. you never have been ike this
before. II were one ~ those un-
reasonable Old wopen who just viii
have their way. your objection would
be different. But ana not your good
has always been my aim and when
ask you to accept Bob Burgess as a fu-
ture husband. II Is because having
known the lad all his life, / consider
him the one most likely 10 make you
happy. Now that Bob Is pressing
ahead so fast in his new profession
and In love with you. | can't see--I
really cnn't-why you should be so OBJ
stinately against him
Il am not against him, Aunt Tirzah,
the girl answered YEARLY Il don't
love Bob, that's all-~a good reason
why ! should not wish TO marry him"
The old lady's black eyes snapped.
Bob was well enough" she retort-
ed until thar young lawyer came upon
the scene. Your Mr. Paul Webster
may be all right, but his prosperity at
least is not evident"
mfr. Webster has his way to make"
Julie quietly replied Il think Aunt
Tirzah, that you would like him If
you knew him better +"
A little smile came about her lips II
like him better all the time"
80 II seems, her Aunt dryly re-
sponded. but your liking. like other
girls liking. my dear, is largely fancy.
and admiration for the unknown.
Doctor Bob has become an old story
TO you, and you are ready for new.
However" sternness touched the old
lady's sharp features "the dreams OF
a lifetime cannot be so fancifully
turned aside. Bob Burgess and you
were made for each other, the plan Of
your union was discussed when you
were both I'm the cradle. My dear,
my very will has been made just that
way-leaving all to You with the I'M
derstanding that Bob's place In surgery
may be found, and that you and he
may continue on in this old Vance
place together"
Julie arose abruptly; tears were In
her soft eyes
''rhat cannot be, Aunt" she said
hurriedly Il am sorry"
paul Webster has dared talk love
10 youf" the old lady angrily asked
Both Bob and Paul" The girl re
piled 'faye asked 70 marry me"
"And youl' the question was
breathless
Il asked Paul to give me time TO
think. Julie said, and ] told Bob
no; but he would not take no for my
answer
The invalid sank back with a sigh
OF relief. "Wise Bob she said now
listen, my girl. Bob. as my physician,
realizes that my heart Is near the
end OF its labor lie has been atten-
tive-kind II the event that you do
not reconsider his request, all that |
have will 20 10 him. | repeat, II Is
your future alone that interests me-"
Aunt TirZah rang for her maid. "Send
for Doctor Burgess" she directed.
The young physician was soon at her
side.
'The end IL not yet, Bob" she said.
However, | will tell you what | have
planned 10 do. In case Julia marries
you, / leave my fortune to her; In case
she does not-entirely to you"
The young mans face paled, then
he smiled confidently
Julie viii not go against your WISH"
he said at last.
"But II she shouldr
~ will then cevote the money to the
purpose you desire" he replied.
That evening Aunt Tirzah sent for
Paul Webster to draw up her will. II
was not until after the funeral service
that the contents Of the will were ex-
actly known. Aunt Tirzah had re-
quired no promise-of secrecy from Bob
Burgess regarding their conversation
concerning the will. and he had con-
fided lis import TO Julie. The girl,
faithful and loving TO her aunt until
the last, gave no sign OF her own In
tentlon in the matter. Now, as they
sat about the mahogany table In the "
brary OF Aunt Tirzah's father. the
girls sad-eyed Indifference left the
obseryant ones still In doubt Paul
Webster. seated beside his senior part
ner. bent upon her constantly the com
passion Of his gaze. When the docu-
ment had been read all sat staring In
establishment at each other for Aunt
Tirzah left the bulk Of her great es-
taies unreservedly to her beloved
niece. Julie Dale Vance"
stu bewildered from the shock. Bob
Burgess sprang % his feet. There
should be a clause" he said confused
~. 40 fhe effect that under such cir.
cumstances Julie was 10 wed me"
SLOWLY Paul Webster arose
Two weeks before Tirznh Vance
eied." be- said "she sent FOR me 70
draw up witt M q. her niece. Miss
Julie Vance. was fo become sole bene-
fciary upon the condition that she ac-
cept the proposal o. marriage which ! /
had recently made her. ! could be no I