Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1921-12-16
UNCLE MARKS WILL
BY PEARL FARRow.

srip 81 rain On the roof of the porch,
ara within the house the steady tick
sE Ire tail hall clock, a rapid tick from
IRE dining room. and even the staccato
tick from her own bedroom Until to-
GAY there had been no silence like this,
for in the little room opposite the hall
Uncle Mark had always been noisily
arguing on the latest political news or
swaying ponderously in the creaking
rocking chair.
Now Uncle Mark was gone and Mil
ared, the only living soul who had
cared. was all alone. She knew how
all the village folk pitied her, how
they were talking because Uncle Mark
had left no will, and so, as they
thought she was unpaid for her long
services to the eccentric old man. Be
cause now Marks sister, who had
never been near him during his long
fnyRlidism, was coming for what was
naturally hers, as the nearest relative.
After long time Mildred sighed and
moved. A gray cat came down the
stairs, his eyes cleaning in the dull
afternoon light. He sprang to her
shoulder and she stroked him gently;
his nearness recalled a duty, besides
there was no reason for standing there
now. She must gather together her
few pitiful belongings and go away
she could not stand meeting Uncle
Marks sister-and her offers of char
fly. She did not know where to go;
she knew only that she would go away
from Greenvile forever
She wondered what Keith Wells, to
ghom she had been engaged for four
pears, would say. She would never
marry him before because she couldn't
Aeaye Uncle Mark, and now-oh well,
she hadn't heard from him since her
ancle's death, and although 1t was
hard to believe that he was like all
the rest, nothing seemed to matter
now.
A deep sigh shook her whole body.
SIT isn't fart 1t isn't fairr' she said
with clenched fists She climbed the
stairs as if her feet were weighted and
bad scarcely reached the top when she
heard the faint tingling of the door
bell. She had dismissed the servants
7irectly after the funeral so she hur-
NED down, giving a hasty look In the
mirror as she passed.
But it was not sOrrowful friend of
fering sympathy who greeted her, but
keith-Keith Wells in the flesh, who
grasped her in his arms and held her
tightly, for n long, long while.
81 couldn't get here any sooner, little
sweetheart" he said, land | knew all
the time how hard everything must be
for you here. And you mustn't stay in
this lonesome place any longer. Get
Jour things and Wen get married to-
night. And while you're getting ready
I'll listen once more to that record OF
dear Uncle Mark's-remember-we
three used to listen to it for hours?'
And so, while Mildred packed her
suitcase, she could hear strains of "In
Ole Virginny' fill the little room be-
low. ut was dear of Keith to re-
member" she thought and the old
tune seemed to bring Uncle Mark very
near.
The bright tears came to her eyes;
she had finished packing and was
standing beside Keith in the room
which was filled with memories of the
past. How happy the three had been
aud how quickly everything had been
ehanged-this would probably be the
last time they would ever see the old
souse.
And then suddenly, to the intense
surprise of them both, the record
changed abruptly, Instead of the round
tones of the soprano the gruff voice of
Uncle Mark took up the refrain, and
as the song came to an end he recited
the words of his last will and tesla
nient
"And to my beloved grandniece, Mil
dred n Arris, ] bequeath my house
and furniture. To my friend Keith
Wells, l Dequeath my grandniece,
Mildred Arris, and as wedding
gift to them the money found
IN the bottom of the old music
cabinet So the dear voice went
On, not forgetting a single friend
Or servant. And at the end his old
servant and his doctor pronounced
themselves witnesses to this peculiar,
yet characteristic will.
Mildred was crying softly. "And to
think" she said that an hour ago
was the unhappiest girl in the world.
Why, Keith" she confessed, Il even
doubted you and I'm so glad you came
before we discovered the Will"
Keith laughed. I'm wondering what
your aunt will say when she finds
hat everything isn't just what she
expected. I'll say one thing. though,
and that is that Uncle Mark sure
knew what wanted"
Me, too" said Mildred shyly. And
am sure that he is happy now if he
knows how happy he has made US. I
wonder II he knowsP
u am sure that he Does" said Keith.
~And he isn't really gone away, YOU
g. .4HF han h..