Omaha daily bee., 1874-07-13

iCoAiy was hON, " MI 11djc. Diu
she still care the least for anybody
else, though? All! what folly to
hope so; for was it not too late-tOo
late?
However. Jack called, and this
time he was let in readily enough.
Mrs. Hare was more gracious, but
he could perceive that she didn't
like him, and when told of the
former misunderstanding she
laughed, but 1t was q sinister laugh,
and meant anything but amuse-
ment-
Jack found out several things, and
one was that Hrs. Hare had made
the match between her son and Ell
ta, and that it was by no means a
love match.
Eta liked Mark, she said, and no
more. Mark was a gentleman,
whose good qualities consisted of a
handsome person, q fine baritone
voice, splendid manners, and a taste
for display; but these were some
what cOunterbalanced by a too
strong appreciation of horseflesh, a
weakness for games of chance, and
an utter indifference about what be-
came of his money, so long as he
did not have to earn it by work, and
it ministered entirely to his own
pleasure. w
One thing was certain-love Eta
he did not, never would, and never
could and this marriage with her
was to be simply one of con-
~venience.
Jack was Nearly frantic.
"Etta," lie said, at last, "I love
you dearly, 1 need not tell you that
l never dreamed of being married
to any one else. Give this man up, |
and be my wife"
But the appeal failed.
~ love you, too, Jack; but you
know-I am engaged" she an
swered, the words sounding like a
death knell.
He determined to save her, cost
what it might, and he played his
last card.
He went to Mark Hare and said, |
blankly:
"LOok you, old fellow, We don't
know each other very we'll, and
probably don't like each other at
all. You are the affianced husband
Of Eta HOughson, and all that /;
but tell me honestly, aren't you
going to marry her for her money ?"
Mr.. Hare dropped his billiard-cue,
took the cigar out of his
mouth, and stared at Jack for a
minute.
"Cool, upon my life! What is it
your businessT'
"SOme of mine, but more Of yours.
If you are going to marry her for
her money, you will make a deuce
a mistake. for she hasn't a PEN
"Nhatw
az swear III" said Jack. "Her
aunt Nutwell was my aunt, too;
but Eta was the legal heiriss. A
good many months ago the old lady
lied; but NO one except her lawyer
Ind myself, knew, till this minute,
hat che lett a will bequeathing the
property to me-"
Mr.. Hare gasped.
~ knew that Eta was unhappy
n being poor, and dependent on
my father, and I arranged with the
to conceal the will, and so
Eta came into the estate and was
'ich. But that VIII exists yet, sir,
md by JOve! / intend t. assert my
lights at the moment you become
Eta HoughsOn's husband.
Mr.. Hare groaned, and fell
against the billiard table, utterly I'M
lone.
Snow, my boy, here's a proposi-
ion for YOU" continued Jack.
write to Miss HOughson, breaking
he engagemtnt-she would never
break it, you know, after once CIV
ing you her woodland I'll give you
check signed by my father, and
payable at the leading bank in the
for any reasonable amount you
.hoOse to name, at the moment you
put such a letter into my hands,"
There was a good deal more talk,
1ut Jacks card turned up trumps.
The engagement between Eta
md Hare was broken by the latter,
md, of course, she Immediately en-
gagged herself to Jack.
Imagine how the old lady in blue,
the wicked gray eyes raved!
But her son, Mark, got his check.
Ind Jack got his wife, and she never
earned all the truth about the con-
,ealed will till the middle of the
honeymoon. And then-just fancy
her surprise!