Phillips County herald., 1923-10-04

MI RS. ALLERDYCE came into Bes-
AA sie's room and shifted around 1t
was shabby little garnet in the big
Allerdyce house. but then anything
was good enough for Bessie.
Bessie" she said, "rm going to
let you have Joan's old mattress.
We're getting a new one. You can
throw that old straw thing away"
''rhank you. Cousin Janet" answered
Bessie meekly.
Bessie was the poor relation who
filed the role of servant in the Aller.
dyce house. She was thirty nine, and
had worked for her cousin for II
years. ever since her uncles death.
Uncle Jim Allerdyce-he was really
a cousin--had adopted Bessie in child
hood. She had taken care Of him in
his intirmity, and every one expected
he would leave her everything But
no will was found, and so Cousin Janet,
who was real niece inherited every.
thing
1t was generally agreed that 1t was
very good of Cousin Janet to have
hpsiven home to the friendless girl,
with $40 month for herself. OF
course maid would have cost much
more. but then Bessie was a relation.
and Bessie. acGuiescing In her situa-
tlon. stayed on without a particle of
ill-feeling.
She was one of those unselfish per-
sons who live in others. She lived In
Cousin Janet and Cousin John, and
was proud of the display they made
with the Allerdyce money that should
have been hers. Then there was
james at college, and Eva. who was
social leader among the younger
set in the town. Bessie often thought
what mercy 1t was that there had
been no will. She wouldn't have
known what to do with the money
herself, and she was every whit as
well Off as when her uncle was alive.
And then she was treated almost as
one of the family. and sat down to
her meals with them, except when
there was company.
The heavy straw mattress would
have to be dragged out to the back
lot and burned Bessie laid hold OF
it and pulled it from the bed.
The rotten tick broke. pile Of
straw issued. Packed into the straw
was piece Of paper. Bessie took 1t
up and stood staring at 1t.
II was Jim Allerdyce's will, made Is
years before. and II left her every
thing.
The house. the lot. and a capital
of some $4,000. Bessie stood star.
Ing at 1t In dismay. She was not, a
stupid GIRL she knew what q will
was; she knew Uncle Jim's signature,
and she saw that-it was properly at
/, tested.
She let the mattress fall and stood
staring atathe paper in her hand. It
meant freedom, wealth, ease. a hua-
band.
And Cousin Janetf why-of course
Bessie would let that part of II 20. but
she would have to refund Il years In
terest on the money. =.
John Allerdyce had not done
stroke Of work since his wife had in
herited the money. What would hap
pen TO him and Cousin Janet2 And
James .at college. and Eva?
II was horrifying. The thought OF
II oyercame her. She stood staring
at the paper in her hand. as II 1t were
her death warrant. i.
"Bessie!'' Cousin Janet's harsh
voice echoed up the stairs. "Why don't
you take that old mattress down. as
I told youg'
Swiftly Bessie thrust back the In.
eliminating paper Into the straw.
Then. taking the mattress upon her
sturdy shoulders. she dragged 1t out
OF the room and down the stairs.
Mercy. you've let that straw get
all over the place!" cried Cousin Janet
| peeylshly. Take Il out In the lot
and burn II. for goodness sakel"
ToIllng and struggling. Bessie got
the mattress out OF the house and to
the back lot. She laid IL carefully In
the open and struck match. The
straw began TO fare. She plucked out
( the will and stood looking at II.
great column Of smoke arose, then
/ the whole mattress was ablnze. With
sudden resolution Bessie threw on the
will and wntcbed II burn 10 atoms,
/ She was very happy. Her uncle had
/ not forgotten her. II he had not died
no suddenly aii would have been df.
/ ferent.
Cousin Jnnet's harsh voice aroused
| her from her mcdltations:
"l,csslci Bessie! Don't stand star
Ing there. II will burn without your
watching Il. Iturry and get thnt mess
cleared up from the stairsf'
Spoken Word Recaptured.