The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-02-24
THE DisINHERITRD SON.


Major Martindale, "and he must lie
on it.
Major Martindale folded up certain
obnoxious letter, as he made this mental
remark, and, laying it on little gilded
letter-rack beside him, in company with
a tailor's bill, ticket to some forthcom-
ing amateur concert, and printed cir
cular concerning "insurance policies" "
went deliberately on with his breakfast.
He was a handsome elderly gentle
man, slightly bald, with bright brown
eyes, straight Roman features, and one
of those square, frmly-molded mouths
which betoken decided tendency to
have ones own way. And as he drank
his coffee, and daintily manipulated his
French rolls, broiled birds, and fresh
strawberries, served in garniture of
their own leaves, he mused over the con-
tents of this same letter.
It's great mistake to allow serv-
ant to bring in ones correspondence at
meal-times," reflected Major Martindale.
ss It's almost certain to interfere with
ones digestion. I'll never read another
letter at breakfast-time. What could
possess my son to go and get married in
this abrupt, nonsensical sort of way
Says he feared it would be impossible to
gain my consent Well, he had good
reason Tor his fears. He'll find it still
more impossible after marriage than be-
fore. He knows my ideas, and if he
don't choose to conform to 'em, it's his
business, not mine"
And so, after finishing his strawber-
ries, and daintily cleansing his filbert-
nailed fingers in ruby-colored finger
bowl, Major Martindale wrote three
words on a thick gray sheet of note
paper, inclosed it in an envelope, affixed
stamp, and gave it to the servant to
post. And the three words were these /:
q Consider yourself disnherited."
That was the way in which Major
Martindale disposed of his only son.
Not that he did not love Harry-the
bright, frank boy, who was all that was
left of his young wife, the one romantic
dream and tender memory of his life
time-but he liked his own way better.
And it is surprising how obstinate a
man can be when he once turns his at
tention to the business.
X n
Disinheritedg o, Harryl And for
mep'
Mrs. Harry Martindale, pretty, blue
eyed woman, with light hair that
showered itself around her face like sun
shine, little dots of dimples in her cheek
and chin, and a round, fresh mouth like
a baby's. looked piteonsly up into her
husbands face as she spoke.
Harry Martindale shrugged his
shoulders; the momentary cloud passed
away from his face, as he answered,
bravely:
Never mind. Ariel. We can afford,
you and /, to be independent of crusty
old gentleman's money. I'll see about
that clerkship in st. Louis"
"Half the world away from me,
Harry"
at won't be for long, pet. Cheer up
I'll send for you when I've got well es-
tablished, and we'll have little birds
nest of home, without asking any fayors
of my father"
Ariel smiled through the dew-dreps
that sparkled in her eyes. She was easily
consoled. A girls heart at eighteen is
blessedly elastic.
Major Martindale elected to go to
Atlantic City for the hot weeks that sea-
SON. Why, he did not especially par
ticularize to himself. Saratoga was dull
at Newport one was half a mile away
from the beach; Long Branch had palled
upon hi, fastidious taste. So to Atlantic
City he went, rather enjoying the very
perceptible nets and snares spread fol-
him BY the various widows, old maids
and gushing damsels who were there en-
gagged in the great misunderstanding cam
paign.
g wonder if they think I am fool, >
said the Major, as he strolled on the beach
with cigar in his mouth.
But one day the Major found himsel
forced to give up picnic on account o
strange and unusual feeling of lassitudt
and languor, and the next he was il
bed.
"This looks serious" said the Major tt
himself. Eve heard of q low fever hang
ing about, but never thought of it's at
tacking meI'
The doctor came, twirled his watch
chain, wrote prodigious Latin prescrip
tion, and shook his head.
People made. haste to yacate the room
in the immediate vicinage of No. SO, ant
the Major began dimly to comprehend
through mist that was slowly gather
ing around his brain, that it was ikel.
to go hard with him.
\ \
"I will stay and nurse him, doctor
l have had. the fever, year or two since
and do not fear it, and | am handy wit
such people"
"But, my dear, you've no idea wha
you are undertaking."
Yes, l haye," answered the soft, lo'
tones; q and we must not let him die fo
want of proper care"
g Is your aunt willingP
"Quite so"
"Then you may try; but, take m
word for it, you'll back down at the ell
!. of the first week"
J Major Martindale heard these wort