The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1876-09-15


to himself, | envied him 50 that | made
a very bad out at the play, and il. required
all my tact to do the gallant to Miss Mel
lie.
GLOW perverse is fate" I remarked to
Mack, some days after, as we strolled along
the beach with our rods, ITO think that
Miss Hart should have all the wealth, and
Miss King the beauty"
"Are you trying to back out now?" he
asked, almost sayagely.
dropped the subject Immediately, and
gave the trout another fly.
AS the days flew by in one continuous
round Of pleasure, | could not but observe
with what charming grace Fanny per-
formed her various household duties, while
Nellie, like mere butterfly, fitted about
aimlessly. And I was by no means cha
grined when Mack began to take her off
my hands, as it were, and the task, to me
a wonderful pleasure Of entertaining Fan
ny, was left.
What was wealth to me, compared to
the spell cast over me by this charming
girl? Were she ten times poorer, and still
so beautiful and sweetly tempered, even
though but menial and dependent, |
could not have resisted my headlong tum-
bic III love to her.
I thought I detected in Mack's quiet
smile, and his sly whispers to Nellie, his
contempt for my unfortunate choice; but
resolved to brave it through and speedi-
ly to know my fate. An opportunity was
not wanting, and one fine evening, on the
moon-ighted lawn, fully committed my
self to Fanny, and asked her to give me
some return for my great love.
"Why, Mr." she began but laid my
hand on her pretty lips.
"Call me Fred" [ pleaded.
"WelI, then, Fred" she resumed, look
ing into my eyes with her own beautiful
orbs, II thought you knew that I am but
a poor"
Enough, Fanny" I interrupted. II
care nothing for all that. l want you. /
have enough for both, and a willing heart
to earn more. Wit you for my wife, l
can enter the struggle for wealth, and I
will succeed
She placed her little hand in mine, and
answered me by kiss. Hearing Mack
call US, we returned to the house.
That night I told Mack all, and in 81
Ience he heard me through, and, without
comment grasped my hand, and I know
hat he was not my rival.
Before we left for the city, Fanny had
named the day, and all parties were duly
Of the facts.
Again, in my now dingy little Office,
9ut rendered doubiy bright BY my occupa
5ion-writing to my afianced.
"Hello, Fred, here you are!" Tt was
Iack's voice, and he came in after his old
ashton, and threw himself full length on
ny office divan.
"Stop that writing, nowr' he command
d, "and listen to me, while 'fess up!"
I laid down my pen and waited for him
o begin.
"You think you are doiug things up
brown now, don't you? Didn't tell you
hat money would wiz, Ell?
"Nack, what do you mean ?" I demand
ID, rising angrily.
"Keep your seat, old fellow; don't let
our feathers ruffle, and I'll explain"
So I resumed my seat.
"Do you know what you've done ?" he
demanded sternly.
@Nothing wrong, hope" I said some
What uneasily.
"No; but did you know that Fanny King
vas worth hundred thousand dollars 2"
"She is worth millions more to me"
epled.
@Hem very good, young man; I see you
re still innocent"
"Mack, please explain yourself?" 7 ask
d.
And he did. Ny Fanny was the heir
IS. It was a clever ruse on his part to
raw me into matrimony, and that saucy
Iellie Hart had been his confederate
Tanny's role was an assumed one.
In few days listened to Mack's ex-
lanation. And when he concluded by
aging, demurely, that Nellie and hewould
Ike to beg the favor Of being married at
he same time with US, I fell upon the ras-
al, and boyish tussle ensned. Winding
p with hearty laugh at my perplexity,
lack lodged out at the door, avoiding
ook flung at his head.
But it so came about. The wedding
ras double Que.
The subject Of constructing . railroad
rom Benton to Helena is agitating the
se minds Of the people Of the East side,
nd they are holding enthusiastic meetings
elative to plans for building the same