The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-26
The Struggle for a Fortune.

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John Treworthy had two wards, Clara
Brandon and kitty Bruce; one the child OF
his sister, the other so distantly connected
as to be relative in little more than the
name. The hauty Clara had gone to Har.
old Mourdant dowerless bride, a within of
old John Treworthy's. The magnanimous
Harold had shrugged his shoulders. Rich
old men could afford to be eccentric. As
for himself, how could he look at his bride
and think of-what could he call it?-
dross
But, when, year subsequent to the
wedding, John Treworthy proved bankrupt,
then were there frowns on the part of the
disinterested Harold, and reproachful tears
and GOODNESS from his wife.
But Kitty Bruce was not SO quick to for
get the benefits her relative had showered
upon her in prosperity. So in his adver-
sity she put him into little cottage, and
the talent which his money had developed
now brought them bread.
For year she struggled thus; and then
a legacy of hundred thousand found old
John Treworthy with all his eccentricities
intensified, and with stubborn tenacity of
purpose which even Kitty could not shake.
But fortunes smiles did what her frow n had
failed to do-he broke down under them.
Then Mrs. Mourdant, who for a year had
suddenly affected with q daughters solicit
tude. The diplomatic Harold had eau
toned her
'Don't urge a will. You know, while
you are his SISTERS child, Mrs. Bruce is
nobody knows how distantly connected.
DISTINGUISHED affection, my dear, that's our
card
Medical skill had pronounced dissolution
imminent. He might not live through the
day; he certainly would not linger another
night. Under such circumstances 1t is a
little trying to have a man refuse to make
will; but that is what eccentric old John
Treworthy did.
II want you to have the money, Rose
bud, but can't make will. They al
ways break wills; and they'd get it aw, >
from you. But they shall never finger a
penny of it. Hang me, if wouldn't marry
first, and leave it to my widow. Bless
my soul, there's an idea. Why shouldn't |
marry you, little Rosebudp 1t would only
be for few hours"
"Oh, hush, uncle, hush!" whispered
Kitty, with her face in the counterpane.
ooh, horror! !" shrieked Mrs. Mourdant,
with her white, aristocratic hands in the
air. 'Marry your own flesh and blood?'
Then had testy John Treworthy answer
cd
her, if 1 want to and she is willing? 1 am
about as nearly related to her as to the
prophet Isaiah"
''Oh, this is sacrllege! And / believe
that brazen thing is going to accept"
"Acceptp OF course she will Can't we
swear to love each other as long as we both
shall live, little Rosebud? You're the only
one that can care for me-"
Kitty had drawn herself to her full height
with flaming cheeks. At that instant she
had no idea of consenting to the marriage.
Her lover stood near; and before she could
reply, he said
accept"
An instant she flashed her eyes upon
him In that instant her mind underwent
sudden revolution. Turning, she placed
her hand in that of her dying relative, and
said
81 do accept
Mrs. Mourdant uttered little scream
All her castles had vanished into thin air
"Oh, you brazen thing!" she cried, spite
fully. "You have been manGuvering for
this all along"
"What, during the past year, while che
has been daughter to me IN my poverty p
laughed the old man. ''Mrs. Mourdant,
you have shown yourself during this time,
and that's all have to say to you. Rose.
bud, there's just one man in this world that
can marry me and that's Wesley Richard
son. We were old schoolfellows, Yves.
and l. Send for him, will your"
Mrs. Mourdant had bright idea, and
acted upon it promptly. With pencil, she
wrote upon her tablets
"Get the swiftests horse in town and
drive to the Rev. Wesley Richardson's
R.. Make any excuse, but keep him
away from here for twenty-four hours. A
hundred thousand is at stake!"
This she dispatched to her husband, in
structing her servant to make all haste in
delivering it, and to take his time coming
back.
"Of course you will want carriage,
Mr.. Lawrence" she said that gentleman,
blandly. "My servant has not yet re-
turned with SEINE jelly and wine which he
went after; but expect him every moment
and he will go for you,"
"What an old snake in the grass |" thought
Charley Lawrence. ''She is beginning to
fawn already
The servant was good while in making
his appearance. He did so just as Mr..
Lawrences patience was giving out That
gentleman dispatched him on his errand,
with instructions to be little more expe-
ditions.
'By the way, James, said Mrs. Mour-
you have sent the carriage, stop at"
Charley heard no more as the door closed
behind her. What she said, in hurried
whisper, was
"Not a very fast horse, James; and don't
be in too great hurry about sending it
round"
"Hallo, Charley, give us lift" cried an
acquaintance, who was going two or three
miles out of town, 81 wonder what was
the matter with Mourdant, he added, when
he was seated in the carriage. 81 called
to him, but he drove on as il Satan was
after him."
''Mourdant How long since did he pass
you"
Fifteen minutes ago, driving like fury u
"Sam, get out. I'll explain it another
time"
sch, old fellow, whats the matter?"
"No questions. Only get out"
Mr. Sam found himself standing in the
road, watching Charley Lawrence's carriage
whisk out of sight in a cloud of dust. Char
ley Lawrence saw it all, ard dashed his
horse into headlong speed. Three miles
ahead of him Mourdant was going neck or
naught Up hill, down dale, they went
Mourdant increasing the distance between
them, having the better horse.
At two o'clock he nearly wrenched the
Rev. Wesley Richardson's bell from its
fastening.
where's your master Z" he demanded of
the frightened servant who answered his
peremptory summons.
Gone to E, sir. He got telegram
calling him."
"Is there another train to day?'
"No, SIR"
''Perditon. I'll hive to drive there
Here, if ANYONE calls for him, tell them he
has gone to W"
Mourdant slipped a sovereign into the
mans hand, by way of easing his con-
science.