Cousin Maude

Just across the way a newly-fledged lawyer had hung out his sign,

and thither that very afternoon the wrathful widow wended her way,

nor left the dingy office until one-half of her property, which was

far greater than anyone supposed it to be, was transferred by deed

of gift to Maude Remington, who was to come in possession of it on

her eighteenth birthday, and was to inherit the remainder by will at

the death of the donor.

"That fixes him," she muttered, as she returned to the house; "that

fixes Old Maxim good; to think of his insultin' me by ownin' right

up that 'twas my property he was after, the rascal! I wouldn't have

him if there warn't another man in the world!" and entering the room

where Maude was sewing, she astonished the young girl by telling her

what she had done. "I have made you my heir," said she, tossing the

deed of gift and the will into Maude's lap. "I've made you my heir;

and the day you're eighteen you'll be worth five thousand dollars,

besides havin' the interest to use between this time and that. Then,

if I ever die; you'll have five thousand more. Joel Blodgett didn't

keep thirty cows and peddle milk for nothin'."

Maude was at first too much astonished to comprehend the meaning of

what she heard, but she understood it at last, and then with many

tears thanked the eccentric woman for what she had done, and asked

the reason for this unexpected generosity.

"'Cause I like you!" answered Janet, determined not to injure

Maude's feelings by letting her know how soon her mother had been

forgotten. "'Cause I like you, and always meant to give it to you.

But don't tell anyone how much 'tis, for if the old fool widowers

round here know I am still worth five thousand dollars they'll like

enough be botherin' me with offers, hopin' I'll change my will; but

I shan't. I'll teach 'em a trick or two, the good for-nothin' Old

Maxim."

The latter part of this speech was made as Janet was leaving the

room, consequently Maude did not hear it, neither would she have

understood if she had. She knew her nurse was very peculiar, but she

never dreamed it possible for her to fancy that Dr. Kennedy wished

to make her his wife, and she was greatly puzzled to know why she

had been so generous to her. But Janet knew; and when a few days

afterward Dr. Kennedy, determining upon a fresh attempt to remove

her from his house, came to her side, as she was sitting alone in

the twilight, she felt glad that one-half her property at least was

beyond her control.