Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-08-15
TWICE BAFFLED.

Il is not often the fortunate, or unfor-
innate, fate of lawyers, after a long
course of practice, to experience I'M
bounded and sudden amazement. But
on the 10th of February, not many
wears ago, James Carter, a%ttorney-at-
law, experienced hat sensation. He
had been to a wedding in the morning,
the wedding of Mrs. Roger Melrose,
widow. to Mr.. Albert Melrose, her
brother-iu law. The bride, though near
" forty, WAS very beautiful still, stylish
and wealthy; the bridegroom, Il hand
some man, but two years older than his
wife, was II who had squandered a
large patrimony in the "most gentle
manly manner" and who lounged,
gracefully and well dressed, through Il
thoroughly indolent existence.
Mr.. Carter, alone in his office, unused
over the events of the day, something
in this fashion:
HIM! suppose Roger Melrose's dol
ars, SO largely increased of late years
by successful speculations, will follow
Albert's speedily, along the same track.
All left to his widow! And Celia's for
tune from her grandfather is entirely
under her mothers control until she is
%wenty-one, nine years from now. BY
the way, if she should die before she is
Of age, Albert Melrose will inherit that
pretty little sum. H'ml | don't exactly
admire Mr.. Melrose. Lawyers have
prejudices, usually founded upon facts
Who upon the face of the earth can be
coming here at this hour?"
For the office bell rang sharply, and
the hands of the clock pointed to one
half hour before midnight. And the
sensation of amazement already referred
to fell upon Mr.. Carter, as Mrs. Melrose,
the bride of the morning, walked into
the Office.
"kate!" he cried; what has hap
pened?'
But she was so white and shivering
that he would not let her answer his
question until he had brought her a
glass of wine, and seen her drink it.
You have known me from a little
girl" she said, presently, with white
trembling lips; "do you think l can be
trusted to act reasonably in a great
emergency
Yes" he answered promptly.
Then will you do what | ask now,
tonight, without questioning me"
Il will"
Celia is in the carriage at the door,
sound asleep, poor child! viii you
take her i'll here, and tomorrow
put her in some good school, not telling
NE where she is ?"
"Katel Are you mad? The separa-
uon will kill you!"
Then it mustl' was the quiet reply.
But have more to say. l want pa
pefS drawn up at once, giving you full
control of Celia's legacy from her grand
ather, and one-half of her fathers es-
Ate. You have managed it all for so
Iong, that your guardianship has really
existed since Roger died. But | want
IL legally done, at once. | want to put
every particle of authority, hal | now
hOId, INTO your hands. Can you have
The papers ready for my signature to-
morrow? viii you take Celia nop?"
Inc pleading of Mrs. Melrose's voice
could not be resisted by one who had
owed her all her life, as the old lawyer
had done.
Kate he said, quietly and gravely,
let me be quite sure | understand you
perfectly. You want Celia removed
rom your guardianship entirely, and
pun INTO a school, where you are to be
Shorant of her address,
Yes. will write to her and receive
ler letters in this office, through you.
10 not refuse met"
Will not. Celia is in the c~arriage?'
Yes. will bring her here and leave
II Will be kindest not to waken her"
ana bare-headed, in his slippered
.ye'' The old lawyer went to the car
''"Sg' handed his client in, and saying:
| viii bring the papers for your sig
,i''Ife tomorrow" turned away while
s:e mother pressed II long, lingering
A'>s ui'' the lips of her only child, and
..Iu,..~I to the house with the little girl,
Am last asleep, in his arms.
Mrs. Hane," he said, presently, tap
rls at his house-keeper's door, will
~ step here one moment?'
some delay, and a sleepy, elderly
Imam stood in the doorway, her dress
wing nasty arrangement.
inns Is a ward of NINE" Mr.. Carter
III please make her comfortable
- ~ ! ma her a good school,"
l"e next morning, Mr.. Albert Mel
serene and smiling, seated at the
h. "tag9S breakfast table in the house
-oua now call his own, said