The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-05-17

hood, and she found herself in great strait
"Was there no other way?" she piteousy
asked Mr.. Manton. ..WaS there not such
thing as q deed of gift? Might not she return
to him so much of her fatal legacy as should
remove the stain of injustice y
No; Mr.. Manton's dignity forbade him to
receive the lesser boon--it must be all or moth
ing. Then, while she still hesitated, she had
a letter from Tom Derby. He was coming to
see her he begged her to receive him on such
a day, and, driven to a decision. she avoided it
by running away. She would see what time
and absence would do to help her to settle her
mind.
Some of these things were revolving in her
thoughts as she absently played with her coffee
and spoon, when deep sigh from Fraulen
made her look up. Fraulein was at the win
dow gazing out with q very sentimental ex-
preston Mary Joined her, and the amused
smile again tloated over herfeatures as she saw
a tall, ungainly figure, with short trousers, low
shoes, much blue stocking, large umbrella of
green and white plaid; enormous spectacles
and a hat on the back of its head, and yet
wthal kindly, and pleasing, and very melan-
choly face, come swinging over the bridge to-
ward the Reuss House. He whiStled as he
drew near, a musical whistle like bird s CALL
and his melancholy features broke inte sunny
smile as the old door opened. and three dirty
children rushed out, clasping his knees and
hands, and dancing like Hecate's imps about
him as they led him in triumph home He was
a widower-a doctor-who lived opposite the
little Swiss inn at which Mary and her COM
panion were stopping. The fraulein had once
rescued one of the doctors little children, that
had fallen from the top of wood cart ever
since that time she had taken an unusual in
terest in the family across the way.
"There is an ideal-an ideal Don Quixote," +"
said Mary.
Frauein replied by sounding Zach ~
"Listen, Louise" said Mary Cromford, hold
n hand that .
is what a widower's life has driven our opposite
noighbor to
90 GENUINE PROPOSITION OF MARRIAGE-A
widower, forty-fve years of age, doctor, pos
sessng good house in an agreeable village of
Switzerland, desires to marry q maiden or
widow lady, of suitable age. The same must
be of an amiable disposition, must have taste
for housekeeping and simplicity, and be willing
| to be loving stcpmother to his children, and
| to give them sound and religious education.
Fortune is less desired than good disposi-
| ton. Genuine offers, with photograph en-
closed (no notice will be taken of anonymous
answers), may be sent in strict confidence to
90 TOSte Restdf,te"-
"Where do you think? Why, hero in
| Neuenthal 1t is no one but our doctor. Ii
this the way your German ideals manage
matters?
But Fraulein did not seem to see the joke.
| She was fidGeting over the bread and butter
and looked so red when Mary glanced up
laughing, for her answer that she checked the
words: Suppose we answer it, which were
ready on her lips.
Snow to my letters" said Mary. "Here il
one from Lizzie Arnold one from
Here it was her turn to be confused, for the
second was from Mr. Manton. She supposed
he had discovered her retreat, and was press
ing, in his determined way, for an answer, ant
she had no answer ready. But little was she
prepared for the real contents of his letter
Light and shade crossed one another Oh he
face some CONSERVATION, much bewilderment
a dawning sense Of great relief, made confus
ion in her mind.
"DEAR MADAM" said this strange lover
"knowing that you had retired in order to form
a decision more freely, would have taken II,
steps to discover your retreat tilfit should b.
your own will to disclose it, had not beer
bound to do so by singular and important dis
covery, of which have fully informed YOU
lawyers. You will hear from them by the mex
post but, for obvious reasons, have wishe,
to be the first to communicate to you the fac
that in the course of certain alterations il
Worthton Hall will of recent date has bee
found, drawn I'D in full legal form bv nv lat
uncle himsef, and witnessed by two ser
wants, who were not aware of the importanc
of the document. In this will your uncle be
queathed all his property to me---all but a
annual income of three thousand pound,
which the will reserves for you.
"Your devoted servant,
81. MANToN."