The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-10-23

of YOU! He is gambler, a drunkard,
and worse! Don't love such man; don't
marry him, beg of you" burst from
poor Thomas Yarns lips.
Todescribe Emily's indignation would
be impossible. The sun in the heavens
was not more illustrious than Horace
Frazier in her eyes. To attack him
and to her.
She swept out of the library, after
vigorous denuncif ton, and Aunt Mar
garet swept in. 1t bad been a part of
Horace Frazier's policy graceful good
for-nothing) to win the older woman
first, and she had but to hear the dread
ful news of the attack to rush to the
battlements and NOW down Thomas
Yarn with a welI-directed volley.
Il here that you dare, Mr.. Yarn, to
insult my niece, and to assail the char
acter of her intended husband-you, Mr..
Yarn, Who are you? Why my re relative,
Governor Hammond, descended so far
as to mention you in his will, l never
could understand. You, slothful, dirty,
poor, mean, gi6cant-you dare to speak
of a gentleman well-dressed gentle
man like Mr. Frazier? Leave this hous !,
Mr.. Yarn (you never ought to have been
allowed to come into it,, and never let
these eyes behold you again"
Miss Margaret held out thin fore
finger as she spoke, like a thirdrate
Lady Macbeth Thomas Yarn rose slow
ly and walked out; yet as he passed her,
he fired one Parthian arrow.
"I will save Emily yet," said he.
"Go, base creaturep' said Miss Mar
garet, furiously.
When Mr.. Frazier came to tea that
evening, both ladies received him with
greater tenderness than ever. His waist
coat was very perfect; his necktie and
conversation delightful; he was hand
some fellow, and in love. They did not
tell him how cruelty he had been SLAM
dered.
Thomas Yarn watched him for few
weeks, hoping that love might make a
better man of him; but no, it did not.
The play went on; the drinking bouts
continued; even Emily began to see some
signs which troubled her, but, woman
like, she only loved him better. That
he made her heart tremble and ache, was
part of the agitation of the period.
Then Thomas Yarn took determina-
ton. He went to Judge Sutherland's
Office, and had a private consultation
with that eminent jurist; and the next
night, as Horace Frazier came up the
taven-steps, fresh from his courting and
fresh from Emily's sweet presence, on
his way to the card-room, Thomas Yarn
stopped him.
"Mr. Frazier, Judge Sutherland de-
sires to see you in Number II, if you
please"
Frazier sullenly turned toward the
room. He was student in the judges
Office, and expected he. knew not what
in the shape of repimand. He was
surprised and offended when Yarn enter
ed the room and locked the door,
Judge Sutherland's dignifed presence,
however, silenced him, and he seated
himself, awaiting the revelation.
"Mr. Frazier, we are about to make a
confidence to you, and, as a man of hon
or, I ask you to give me your promise
4I
Certainly, sir, give you my word"
1t deeply concerns you, as I under
stand that you are to marry Miss Ham
mond; 1t deeply concerns me, as l am
one of the trustees of her supposed es-
tate; it deeply concerns Mr.. Yarn, as he
is the real owner of that estate. Here
is a will, which you shall read; it is a
perfectly legal document, although not
registered. One of the witnesses to the
signature is still living. OF the con-
tents of the will l am not ignorant, hav-
ing been consulted as to its form. have
also known for many years, as profess
sional secret, that Mr.. Yarn was a nat
ural son of Governor Hammond; but l
had supposed that my old friend had
abandoned his project of making this
will. Here 1t is, and in my opinion it
will stand"
Horace Frazier read the paper with at
tention. 1t was ruin to him, and he
looked it; but he said nothing.
Once he turned and gave Thomas
Yarn a searching, contemptous, and al
most amused look.
"You are good-looking fellow to turn
a young lady out of her property" said
he, coarsely.
Thomas Yarn did not answer.
Judge Sutherland did. "No abuse
Mr.. Frazier. Mr.. Yarn is treating you
most honorably. He is not ready tc
make this will public just yet, but he
wishes you to know of it, in order that
you may not be disappointed in regard
to your future wife's property. If you
love her we'll enough to marry her, ;
penniless girl such as she is, that, o
course, is a matter into which l shall
not enter. But it is our duty to let you
know that Mr.. Yarn will, in the event
of your marriage, produce this will, anc
proceed to claim his property"-and th'
judge pushed up his glasses.
Horace Frazier was stunned, as wei
he might be. Judge Sutherland was
dry, convincing sort of terrible man
what he said must be true.
"Do you think, Judge Sutherland
that Mr.. Yarn has any chance of sue
cess?"
at may be enough to say to you tina
l have advised him to try" said tn
| judge, dryly.
Yes, that was quite enough for Horac
Frazier. He loved Emily, in his selfsl
way, for herself; but he was not the MAJ
to do a generous deed, and take he
without a penny. Emily an heiress wa
quite another thing from Emily penni
5 less. Thomas Yarn had not missed Ii
man.