Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1924-07-17


his infirmity, and every one expected
he would leave her everything. Blu
no will was found, and so Cousin Janet
who was a real niece, inherited every
thing.
1t was generally agreed that 1t was
very good of Cousin Janet to have
given 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, acquiescing in her situa-
ton, stayed on without 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
a social leader among the younger
set In the town. Bessie often thought
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 |
1t and pulled 1t from the bed.
The rotten tick broke, a pile of |
straw issued. Packed into the straw
was piece of paper. Bessie took IT
up and stood staring at II.
II was Jim Allerdyce's will, made Is |
years before, and 1t left her every
thing.
The house, the lot, and a capital
Of some $4,000. Bessie stood star
ng at 1t in dismay. She was not a
stupid girl; she knew what q will
vas; she knew Uncle Jim's signature,
md she saw that 1t was properly at
ested.
She let the mattress fall and stood
taring at the paper in her hand. 1t
meant freedom, wealth, ease, a hus-
and
And Cousin Janet? Why-of course
Jessie would let that part of it go, but
he would have to refund 10 years in
crest on the money.
John Allerdyce had not done a
troke of work since his wife had in
erited the money. What would hap
EN- to him and Cousin Janet? And
ames at college, and Eva?
1t was horrifying. The thought of
overcame her. She stood staring
the paper in her hand, as If 1t were
sr death-warrant.
"Bessiel' Cousin Janet's harsh
ice echoed up the stairs. "Why don't {
~ take that old mattress down, as {
told your"
Swiftly Bessie thrust back the in
iminating paper into the straw. I
len, taking the mattress upon her h
lrdy shoulders, she dragged 1t out v
the room and down the stairs. {
Mercy, you've let that straw get +
over the placer cried Cousin Janet v
'evishly. take It out In the lot
d burn 1t, for goodness sakel" Il
and struggling, Bessie got D
e mattress out of the house and to | I,
2 back lot. She laid 1t carefully In
= open and struck a match. The
aw began to flare. She plucked out
, will and stood looking at 1t.
great column of smoke arose, then II
, whole mattress was ablaze. With >
lden resolution Bessie threw on the
! and watched II burn to atoms. "
E was very happy. Her uncle had
forgotten her. If he had not died W
suddenly all would have been diff u
ent &C
'ousin Janet's harsh voice aroused p'
from her meditations: Oh
Bessiel Bessie! Don't stand star oil
there. 1t will burn without your
tching 1t. Hurry and get that mess y
1red I'M from the stairs =, dc